Backache

Backache – General Information

Backache also known as back pain can appear in any zone along the spine, but it usually appears in the lower back, meaning the lumbar region, because the lower zone of the back sustains the weight of the body and everything else that a person carries. Another reason for the pain in the region is that it twists and bends more frequently than the upper part of the back. The Backache can be acute and chronic, but most of the patients have acute back pains which appear suddenly and intensely, and it usually do not last more than a month, so it is a short term pain and it does not need a treatment. The chronic back pain it usually last over three months, and even the most common movements can start it and it usually needs medical care and advice.
The Backache may be caused by the followings:

• An accident to the spine
• An injury to the spine
• It may be degenerative
• Kidney stones
• Fibromyalgia
• Reactive arthritis 
• It may be metabolic
• It may be congenital
• Or it may be caused due to the development of a tumour.

The factors that can increase the risk of getting a back pain are the followings:

• Ageing – the inter-vertebral discs deteriorate gradually beginning with the age of 30.
• Persons who have a sedentary life style
• Persons with a poor posture
• Obesity
• Genetic factors
• Different exercises which stresses the back
• Improper body mechanism
• Pregnancy
• Smoking

Backache – Symptoms

• Pain in the lumbar-sacral area
• The pain can radiate down the front or back side of the patient’s legs
• The pain can be confines in the low back
• The pain may worsen with activity
• The pain may worsen at night
• The pain may worsen in prolonged sitting
• Sharp, localized pain in the neck
• Sharp, localized pain in the lower back
• Numbness
• Weakness
• A feeling of tingling in the affected area
• Dull aching pain
• Non-refreshing sleep
• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Headaches
• Coordination problems
• Paralysis
• Stiff neck
• Spasms in the muscles around the spine
• Scoliosis
• Loss of bowel or bladder control- in the sever cases
• Loss of leg strength – in the sever cases
• Leg numbness – also, in severe cases
• Widespread muscular and joint pain
• Aching
• Stiffness
• Tenderness around joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons

Backache - Treatment

• NSAID drugs such Nurofen, acetaminophen.
• Analgesics
• Spinal manipulation
• Muscle relaxants
• Trans electrical nerve stimulation
• Lumbar support
• Patients may be advised to apply ice for 4 minutes from three to four times a day on the affected area.
• In the first two days patients should rest in a comfortable position, with a pillow between their legs.

In the case of the chronic Backache the treatment can be the following:

• Back exercises
• Multidisciplinary treatment
• Analgesics
• NASID drugs
• Trigger-point injections
• Ligament injections
• Behavioral therapy
• Spinal manipulation

Here are some natural ways of treating Backache:

• With garlic – patients should take 2 or 3 cloves on every morning. Also patients can make garlic oil and rub it on the painful zone.
• With lemon – patients may also take the juice from one lemon mixed with salt and drink it twice a day.
• With chebulic myroblan – after meals the patients may eat a piece of this fruit
• With vitamin C – taken daily
• With potatoes – patients may use a raw potato applied on the painful zone

• NSAID are anti inflammatory medications which help by reducing the inflammation. Such drugs include: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, celecoxib.
• Acetaminophen drugs are analgesics which can be used in combination with the NSAID drugs. Such drugs are: Tylenol, anacin-3, phenphen, valadol.
• Opioids are used only in the cases of severe pain, because they are not very good for the organism because of their addictive nature. Such drugs are morphine, codeine, meperidine, and oxycodone-release.
• Muscle relaxants drugs – are also prescribed in the case of severe pains. Such drugs include: cyclobenzaprine, diazepam, cariosprodol, and methocarbamol.