Back pain is a very common problem that can result in a dull but constant aching to sudden and sharp pain that can lead to incapacitation. This could happen all of a sudden due to an accident / lifting something heavy / a fall. Back pain can also develop very slowly due to age / changes in lifestyle or due to changes in the spinal cord. It is estimated that eight out of ten people are affected by back pain at some point or the other in their lives. The most common types of back pain include acute / short term low back pain and chronic back pain.

Acute short term low back pain is caused due to trauma caused by an accident / fall / sports injury or due to additional stress on the spinal tissues and bones. Chronic back pain refers to back pain that exists for more than 90 days. Quite often it is progressive and hence difficult to determine the real cause.

Symptoms of Back Pain

The symptoms of back pain comprise of:

• Muscle Ache
• Shooting / Stabbing pain
• Reduced Flexibility
• Difficulty in standing straight

In many cases, back pain treatment is not required at all since the back pain goes away by itself. However, you should consult your doctor if you have numbness or tingling sensation in the lower back area or if your pain becomes severe and does not go away with back pain treatment and medication. Similarly, if you experience back pain soon after an accident or injury, you should consult your doctor at the earliest.

If you have back pain and have any of the following symptoms like difficulty in urinating / numbness or pain in your legs / fever / weakness and weight loss, it means there is something seriously wrong with your condition that requires immediate treatment so that you experience back pain relief.

The objective of back pain treatment is to make sure that you restore the strength and function of your back and at the same time prevent back pain from occurring again. Most back pains can be treated without the need for any surgery. Some of the back pain treatment options include over the counter pain relievers / anti inflammatory medicines. In fact doctors prescribe a combination of OTC pain relievers and prescription drugs to provide you back pain relief. Another treatment option is complete bed rest for a couple of days. Your doctor may also suggest lower back pain exercise to reduce the pain and allow for more flexibility.