Coping with Back Pain

 You back is very important. It supports your entre body weight, helps you move around and keeps you upright.

Our backs take on a lot of hard work so it’s not surprising that most of us at some point experience back pain. Chronic back pain is harder to treat that acute pain and often won’t get better with over-the-counter painkillers.

Most cases of back pain are caused by the stresses and strains of everyday life but there are things that can make the problem worse, or even trigger it to begin with.

If you suffer from back pain and you see no improvement after a week you should think about seeing your doctor.

You should certainly see you doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty passing urine, or you’re passing blood
• Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in your arms or legs
• Pain running down one or both of your legs
• Unsteadiness why you stand.

There is no quick fix to back pain but your doctor can help you with back pain by:

• Check for any serious condition
• Discuss your posture and activities
• Help with weight loss if it’s needed
• Refer you to physiotherapy or other health specialists
• Prescribe stronger painkillers.

You should be aware that your doctor will need to know a few details to help with back pain:

• When your back pain started
• What were you doing when it started
• If you have had back pain before
• What kind of pain – dull, ache, shooting, sharp
• If you have any other symptoms
• Have you noticed anything that aggravates your back pain

There are also several home remedies for back pain that you can try to ease the pain.

Apply heat and ice – Wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and apply to the area where you have pain.

If ice doesn’t work apply a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. You can also try alternating between hot and cold for more relief.

Medication – Always read instructions for pain medication and take the recommended dosage. Try paracetamol or ibuprofen for back pain.

But if you find you still need pain relief for you back pain after a week or so, consult your doctor.

Relaxation – Muscle tension can make back pain worse so try to stay relaxed. Take a long bath, listen to relaxing music or get a gentle massage from friends or family.

Anti-inflammatory gels, like ibuprofen or ralgex, can also be massaged gently into your back.

Keep moving -  staying still or lying in bed is one of the worst things you can do for a bad back. Crawling around on your hands and knees is better than no movement at all.

Don’t put too much pressure on your back. Keep thing simple like a short walk, sitting on firm chairs and firm up your bed.