Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common painful and non-life-threatening conditions. It affects four in five Americans at some point in their lives. The good news is that back pain need not govern how you live your life.
If you have back pain, medication, exercise, and changes in your lifestyle are likely to offer the most relief. Surgery is useful in a minority of people
Most back pain isn't dangerous, but it's important to learn the "red flag" situations that require immediate medical attention. These include:
- back pain that occurs at the same time as a fever
- leg weakness that comes on abruptly or gets progressively worse
- numbness in the groin
- loss of bowel or bladder control
- pain that worsens instead of getting better
- inability to find a comfortable position for sitting or sleeping during times when you feel back pain
Other self-care steps you can take to mend your back include different types of exercise and complementary therapies such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage, as well as choosing the right mattress.
Back Pain Articles
It appears that mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy are better than typical treatment for reducing back pain
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Mindfulness stress reduction can provide long-term improvements in pain and function for people with low back pain.
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Opioids are powerful painkillers that block messages of pain to the brain and decrease the body's perception of discomfort. But taking opioids for four weeks or longer puts a person at risk for dependence and sometimes for addiction.
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Sciatica affects as many as 40% of people during their lives. While attacks can vary in terms of severity, duration, and frequency, you can take measures to manage the pain and prevent future episodes.
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Adding muscle relaxers or narcotic pain relievers to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen (Aleve) did not improve pain or function for people who went to emergency rooms seeking help for severe low back pain.
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Brisk walking works many muscles that support a strong and healthy back, such as the muscles in the thighs, calves, abdomen, hips, and buttocks.
Image: Thinkstock
Strengthening, stretching, and improving posture will go a long way toward reducing back pain that comes with age.
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Surgery and intensive physical therapy each produce similar relief for spinal stenosis, or back pain caused by narrowing of the space around the spinal nerves. Surgery has risks, but physical therapy requires more effort. The choice comes down to personal preference. Some men may find surgical risks acceptable in exchange for the chance of immediate relief; other men may prefer to give physical therapy a try first. Research suggests that the physical therapy must be relatively rigorous to be effective.
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Hot and cold compresses, physical activity, exercise, and safe lifting techniques help men to heal and to prevent low back pain. Recent research shows that acetaminophen (Tylenol and generics) has limited benefit for low back pain, but it remains appealing because it is safer for the stomach than other over-the-counter pain relievers. But acetaminophen is still a reasonable thing to try before moving on to less stomach-friendly options, such as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and common aspirin.
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One of the few clinical trials to compare surgery to physical therapy for low back pain indicates that they are equally effective.
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A study found that likely triggers for episodes of back pain include carrying heavy loads; lifting loads in an awkward position; and being tired, fatigued, or distracted. Sexual activity and drinking alcohol were not tied strongly to new back pain.
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