The Real Truth About Back Pain

Chances are that 4 out of every 5 people will experience back pain. It may be occasional and acute or it may be chronic.

Spine pain can be the result of sports injuries, car accidents, work place injuries, obesity, pregnancy, stress, herniated disks, osteoarthritis, strains, infection, fracture, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, strained joints and muscle or ligament tears.

Most spine pain is acute which is a dull pain that lasts days or weeks. Chronic pain is more serious. It is deep, sharp, or burning pains that can last months or years. People that suffer from chronic pain sometimes need therapy, medication or surgery and some people have to live with the pain.

Occasionally spine discomfort occurs in children. When a child has this type of pain it can be a symptom of a serious health problem such as Fibromyalgia, Scheuermann's disease, Idiopathic scoliosis, tumors or infection. It can also be caused by less serious such as bad posture, carrying a heavy backpack or sitting at a computer desk improperly.

To help alleviate this type of discomfort, there are many things you can try depending on what is causing the spine pain. Chiropractors can do adjustments which sometimes help. Massages can be a quick fix for this type of pain as well. Heating pads, mild exercise, swimming, yoga, and herbal medicine can also help.

If you have spine discomfort, go to your doctor. Back pain is actually the second most common reason for all doctor visits. Doctors can use X-ray, MRI, discography, CT, bone scans and ultrasounds to diagnose the source of back pain.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons for calling off work. So, to avoid back pain remain active without over doing it, stretch before all physical activities, have good posture, wear comfortable shoes and sleep on a good mattress.