Causes of back pain:-
Often it’s not possible to identify the cause of back pain. Doctors call this “non-specific” back pain. Sometimes the pain may be a result of an injury such as a sprain or strain, but often it occurs for no apparent reason. It’s very rarely caused by anything serious.
Occasionally back pain can be due to a medical condition such as:
• A slipped (prolapsed) disc – where a disc of cartilage in the spine presses on a nearby nerve
• Sciatica – irritation of the nerve that runs from the pelvis to the feet
These conditions tend to cause additional symptoms – such as numbness, weakness or a tingling sensation – and they’re treated differently to non-specific back pain.
How to relieve back pain:-
The following tips may help reduce your backache and speed up your recovery:
• Stay as active as possible and try to continue your daily activities – this is one of the most important things you can do, as resting for long periods is likely to make the pain worse
• Try exercises and stretches for back pain; other activities such as walking, swimming and yoga may also be helpful
• Take anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen – remember to check the medicine is safe for you to take first and ask a pharmacist if you’re not sure
• Use hot or cold compression packs for short-term relief
Treatments from a specialist:-
Your specialist or physiotherapist may recommend extra treatments if they don’t think your pain will improve with self-help measures alone.
These may include:
• Group exercise classes – where you’re taught exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your posture
• Physio-therapy – treatments such as manipulating the spine and massage, usually carried out by physiotherapists, chiropractors or osteopaths
• Psychological support, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – this can be a useful part of treatment if you’re struggling to cope with the pain
Some people choose to see a therapist for Physio-therapy without seeing their general practitioner first. If you want to do this, you’ll usually need to pay for private treatment.