Almost 30 percent of the human population suffers from back pain every year. At one time or another, more than 80 percent of Americans alone are affected by this medical problem. This large number of people is usually worried of what's causing the soreness they feel. According to medical professionals, majority of these pains are caused by muscle strains or spasms and do not necessarily need medical attention.

Muscle strain is the tearing of muscle fibers due to overexertion. When muscle fibers are torn, there is no other remedy but to wait for it heal. Healing usually lasts three to six weeks. However, while waiting for it to heal, excruciating pain can be alleviated by taking pain relievers.

Muscle spasms, on the other hand, are sudden contractions of muscles that are very painful. Spasms are usually caused when some muscles are overdeveloped when others are left weak. This puts your weak muscles out of its normal positions because the stronger ones are continuously stretching it.

Several therapeutic options are available to balance your muscles, including muscle balance therapy and some other forms of physical therapy.

The best solution for back pain is still prevention. However, when the pain is already there and it's bothering you, there are several things that you can do to alleviate it. Probably the most common solution is by taking pain relievers. Pain relievers are medications that contain ingredients that lessen the pain you are feeling. These can be taken orally, or applied directly to the skin over the area where pain is felt.

Another solution offers fast back pain relief. This is called acupressure. Acupressure is a type of physical therapy that applies force on several pressure points on the body. This is very similar to acupuncture, only that the latter uses needles instead of fingers or pencils to apply pressure.

Acupuncture is said to be more efficient in reducing the pain. However, when back pain suddenly strikes, you may not be able to contact an acupuncturist to help you. Since it's very dangerous to thrust needles on your body when you don't have the proper training, acupressure is developed to be a very effective alternative.

To perfectly do acupressure, firstly you must learn how to apply pressure correctly. To apply pressure, use either a mechanical pencil tip with the lead retracted or your fingernails. Apply deep pressure on several pressure points for several seconds. Repeat applying pressure on the same pressure point five to ten times.

The following pressure points that I will mention will help you ease your back pain when you apply pressure on it:
1. The place between your nose and your upper lip is one of these points.
2. The place between your ankle bone and Achilles tendon is also a pressure point.
3. Make a fist. The place where your skin folds and bulges outside your hand next to your pinky finger is also a pressure point.
4. Pressure points are also located on the back of your neck on both sides of the spine.
5. There are also pressure points located on your back, just below your shoulders.

Applying pressure on these points will surely ease your back pain by 50-75%. Acupressure is not only a safe alternative solution for muscle aches but also a very inexpensive form of therapy that will help in alleviating your pains and aches.