Back pain can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease. Examples include overuse such as working out or lifting too much, prolonged sitting and lying down, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or wearing a poorly fitting backpack.
Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. Also, the pain can radiate down a leg. Bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking can make it worse.
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, usually within a few weeks. Contact your health care provider for back pain that:
• Lasts longer than a few weeks
• Is severe and doesn't improve with rest
• Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain goes below the knee
• Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• Is paired with unexplained weight loss
• In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Seek immediate care for back pain that:
• Causes new bowel or bladder problems
• Is accompanied by a fever
• Follows a fall, blow to the back or other injury
Fortunately, measures can assist prevent or relieve most back pain episodes, particularly for people more youthful than age 60. Simple home treatment and using the body properly typically will heal the back within a couple of weeks if prevention fails. Surgical treatment is hardly ever needed to deal with back pain.
Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. Also, the pain can radiate down a leg. Bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking can make it worse.
When you’re in pain, your quality of life decreases dramatically – and every aspect of your everyday life is impacted. Just because you have a condition that causes pain, it doesn’t mean you have to live with the pain day in and day out. The pain management specialists at the Minnesota Pain Institute in North Oaks, MN can help you get relief.
Back pain usually resolves with rest and home remedies, but sometimes medical treatment is necessary.
• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Cortisone injections
• Traction
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Surgery for back pain is really unusual. If a patient has actually a herniated disk surgery might be an option, particularly if there is persistent pain and nerve compression which can result in muscle weakness.