Back pain - Causes and how to relieve it

The main causes of back pain can include spinal problems, pneumonia or kidney stones, and to differentiate the cause should be noted the characteristic of pain and the region of the back that is affected.
Most of the time the pain in the back is of muscular origin and arises due to fatigue, weight lifting or poor posture, and can be solved with simple measures such as hot compresses and stretching.
However, if the pain in the back appears suddenly, is very strong or if there are other associated symptoms such as fever or difficulty moving, it is best to go to the doctor to request exams and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Back pain - Causes and how to relieve it
What can cause pain in the back
The 7 main types of pain in the back are:

1. Back pain on the right or left side

What it can be: it is usually a pain in the form of weight that indicates the presence of a muscle injury, especially after going to the gym, however it can also be caused by professions that may be demanding for the back as is the case with dentists or gardeners.
How to relieve: place a warm compress in the region for 15 minutes, 2 times a day, for 3 to 4 days and apply an anti-inflammatory ointment such as Cataflam or Traumeel.

2. Back pain when breathing

What it can be: it can be related to the lung when there is a sensation of shortness of breath, mainly when there was a respiratory illness in recent years or if the person is bedridden. See other signs in: Symptoms of respiratory infection.
How to relieve: apply a warm compress in the region, but it is best to find a pulmonologist or general practitioner in case there are other symptoms of respiratory problems associated with pain, such as cough, phlegm or fever.

3. Low back pain

What it can be: it is usually a sign of renal colic, being related to the presence of kidney stones, which results in a very severe pain that prevents the patient from walking or moving. More details of this pain in: Symptoms of kidney stones.
How to relieve: pain should be treated as quickly as possible, so it is recommended to go to a hospital emergency.

4. Back pain that radiates to the legs

What it can be: it can be caused by a compression of the sciatic nerve in the final region of the spine or buttocks. However, when the pain is provoked in the form of a stitch with a tingling sensation or difficulty sitting or walking, it may indicate the presence of osteophytes. If you think you may have the affected sciatic nerve, answer the following questions:
1. Pain with tingling, numbness or shock in the spine, buttocks, leg or sole of the foot.Yes
2. Sensation of burning, stitches or tired leg. Yes
3. Weakness in one or both legs. Yes
4. Pain that intensifies with rest. Yes
5. Difficulty walking or staying a long time in the same position. Yes
How to relieve: what is recommended to do in these cases is to go to a trauma surgeon, so you can request exams such as an MRI, and from there indicate the best treatment.

5. Back pain with tightness in the chest

What it can be: when the pain worsens with effort and there is a feeling of discomfort or dizziness it can be a sign of heart attack, mainly if the person is above the ideal weight, if they have hypertension or suffer from high cholesterol.
How to relieve: you must call an ambulance or go as quickly as possible to the nearest health center emergency.
During pregnancy is also very common the emergence of back pain, especially in the last months of pregnancy due to the overload of the spine.

6. Middle back pain

What can be: muscle contracture or spinal problems such as a herniated disc, which mainly affects people over 45 years of age. The pain can get worse when getting up or staying a long time in the same position, being able to irradiate to the sides, to the ribs or down affecting the buttocks and legs.
How to relieve: You can place a warm compress on your back and avoid staying too long in the same position. In addition to this you can go to the orthopedist for X-rays or a resonance and indicate the appropriate treatment, which may include physiotherapy sessions.

7. High back pain

What it can be: It may be due to a muscle contracture due to fatigue, excessive physical activity, stress or worry, or torticollis, which in this case must be associated with pain in the neck as well.
How to relieve: Stretching exercises are a great help to stretch your muscles and feel more relaxed. In the case of torticollis should be placed in a comfortable position and should be turning the head slowly to all sides, can help relax the muscles of the upper part.
How to relieve pain in the back
What you can do to relieve back pain at home, before consultation with the doctor is:

Rest: lie on the floor or on a hard mattress for half an hour every day;
Warm compresses: place a warm compress with 3 drops of rosemary essential oil exactly on the region of pain, for 15 minutes per day;
Receive a massage: with warm almond oil, but without forcing much;
Homeopathy: ingestion of homeopathic medicines such as arnica, prescribed by the doctor to treat inflammation in the back;
Pilates exercises: help strengthen the muscles of the back and abdominals, fighting the cause of pain.
It is also important to follow some tips such as adopting good posture on a daily basis, to protect the spine, and exercise regularly. Muscle exercises are a good option to improve posture, reducing pain and discomfort in the back.

See other tips for relieving back pain:

Causes Of Back Pain AND TYPES OF BACK PAIN

General description

Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor or miss work and is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Most people suffer from back pain at least once.

Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most episodes of back pain. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics will often heal your back in a few weeks and keep it functional. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

symptom
Signs and symptoms of back pain may include the following:

Muscle pains
Throbbing pain
Pain that radiates towards the leg
Pain that gets worse when you flex, stand, stand or walk
Pain that improves when lying down
When should you see a doctor?
In most cases, back pain gradually improves with home treatment and personal care, usually in a few weeks. If your pain does not improve in that time, consult your doctor.

In rare cases, back pain can indicate a serious medical problem. Seek immediate attention if your back pain:

causes new bladder or bowel problems;

it is accompanied by fever;
it appears after a fall, a blow to the back or another injury.
Contact a doctor if your back pain:

it is intense and does not improve with rest;
it extends to one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee;
causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs;
It is accompanied by unexplained weight loss.
Also, consult your doctor if you start having back pain for the first time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or excessive use of drugs or alcohol.

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Causes

Pain in the lower back caused by degeneration and injury of the spine.
Click here for more information on an infographic
Back pain that appears suddenly and lasts less than six weeks (acute) may be the result of a fall or lifting of a heavy object. Back pain that lasts more than three months (chronic) is less frequent than acute pain.

Often, back pain manifests itself without a cause that the doctor can identify with a test or an imaging study. The disorders frequently related to back pain include:

Muscle or ligament pressure. Lifting heavy objects repeatedly or doing a sudden wrong movement can put pressure on the muscles of the back and ligaments of the spine. If your physical condition is not good, constant pressure on your back could cause painful muscle spasms.
Protrusion or herniated disk. The discs function as buffers between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. The soft material inside the disc may have a bulge or a rupture and exert pressure on a nerve. However, you may have a bulge or a herniated disc without feeling back pain. Discopathy is usually discovered accidentally when, for some other reason, you have an x-ray of your spine.
Arthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis of the spine can reduce the space surrounding the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Bone irregularities. A disorder in which the spine curves to the side (scoliosis) can also cause back pain, but usually not before middle age.
Osteoporosis. The vertebrae of the spine may have compression fractures if your bones become porous and fragile.

Risk factor's
Anyone can develop back pain, including children and adolescents. These factors can increase the risk of developing back pain:

Age. Back pain is more common as you get older, starting at age 30 or 40.
Lack of exercise. Weak and unused muscles of the back and abdomen can cause back pain.
Over weight. Excess body weight exerts an overload on the back.
Diseases. Some types of arthritis and cancer can contribute to back pain.
Pick up objects incorrectly. Using the back instead of the legs can cause back pain.
Psychological conditions People prone to depression and anxiety seem to have a higher risk of suffering from back pain.
Smoking This reduces blood flow to the lower part of the spine, which can prevent your body from supplying enough nutrients to the back discs. Smoking also delays recovery.
Prevention
You can avoid back pain or prevent it from happening again if you improve your physical condition and learn and practice proper body mechanics.

To keep your back strong and healthy:

Do exercise. The regular practice of low impact aerobic activities (those that do not produce pressure or shake your back) can improve the strength and endurance of your back and allow your muscles to work better. Walking and swimming are good options. Talk to your doctor about activities you can try.
Develop muscle strength and flexibility. Exercises for the muscles of the abdomen and back, which strengthen the middle area of the body, help develop these muscles to function as a natural strip for your back. The flexibility in your hips and upper legs aligns your pelvic bones to improve the feeling in your back. The doctor or physical therapist can tell you what exercises are right for you.
Maintain a healthy weight Overweight puts pressure on the muscles of the back. If you are overweight, losing weight can prevent back pain.
Give up smoking. Talk to your doctor about methods to quit smoking.
Avoid the movements of rotation or pressure on your back. Use your body properly:

Maintain an upright posture Do not bend over. Maintains a neutral pelvic position If you must remain standing for a long time, put one foot on a low footrest to remove some weight from the lower area of your back. Alternate the feet. Good posture can reduce stress on the back muscles.
Sit upright. Choose a seat that has good support for the back, armrests and a swivel base. Placing a cushion or rolled towel in the lumbar area of your back can maintain its normal curve. Put your knees and hips at the same level. Change your position frequently, at least every half hour.
Stand up straight. If possible, avoid lifting heavy things, but if you must do it, let your legs do the work. Put your back straight (no twisting) and bend only your knees. Place the object near the body. Find a person to help you lift the object if it is heavy or uncomfortable.
Be a careful buyer
Because back pain is so common, several products promise prevention or relief. However, there is no evidence to show that the use of special shoes, insoles, back supports, specially designed furniture or stress management programs can be useful.

Also, there does not seem to be a type of mattress that is better for people with back pain. It is probably a matter of what is most comfortable for you.

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TYPES OF BACK PAIN

Back pain is very frequent, but in many cases it is not clear what exactly causes it. Depending on its cause, it is usually classified into 2 types: mechanical back pain and inflammatory back pain². They are the most frequent. There are other less frequent causes that can also be associated with back pain such as infections, kidney or digestive diseases, polymyalgia rheumatica and, exceptionally, tumors3,4. Your doctor can help you diagnose it correctly.

HOW MANY PEOPLE SUFFER BACK PAIN?

The data indicate that 80% of us will have back pain at some point in our lives. It is estimated that, at a given time, 1 in 5 people have low back pain of at least 3 months, so it can be described as chronic¹. It is not surprising that this is so, because in daily life there are many factors that affect the back. They influence, for example, things like fattening or the footwear that is used. There are many different causes of back pain, and it is important to seek information and help in case of a continued pain of more than 3 months that does not go away.

In most cases, back pain is mechanical. However, in one out of every 20 people with chronic back pain, it has an inflammatory origin5. Both types of pain can limit daily activities, as well as limit the quality of life because it affects sleep, social life and the ability to work.
But mechanical pain and inflammatory pain can have similar symptoms, making it difficult to differentiate them without help. That is why it is important to consult a doctor and be able to describe your pain.
Discover the 5 symptoms of inflammatory back pain and get more information about how back problems are diagnosed.