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back

Bodyinjury

Back Pain: Interesting Facts

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

While almost everyone experiences back pain at one point in their lives or another, others experience back pain their whole lives.

When the condition becomes troublesome and debilitating, checking with a back pain specialist should be considered a priority.

What are some of the common causes of back pain?

Unknown to many, the back is a very intricate and complicated structure.

It is comprised of muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints.

In most cases, pain in the back occurs when there is stress, strain, or injury on any of the muscles, nerves, or ligaments found in the back.

If the pain is chronic, a visit to a back pain specialist should be in order so proper assessment, diagnosis, and treatment can be conducted.

Below are some of the most interesting facts about back pain not many people know about:

  • A staggering 80 percent of the population experiences back pain and other back-related issues at one point or another.
  • Back pain is considered one of the leading causes of disabilities the world over. It is also one of the most common reasons people miss work.
  • It is the third most common reason for surgery.
  • Almost half of back pains are classified as mechanical or non-organic. In other words, it is not attributed to anything serious like fracture, infection, arthritis, or cancer.
  • Back pains that are caused by muscle-related injuries are more prominent in the mornings. Fortunately, it can easily improve with stretching.
  • Back pains that are mechanical can be attributed to ligament or muscle strains.
  • People who experience back pain are more likely to also develop psychological distress like anger and depression.

How are back pains prevented?

Facts Regarding Back Pain

Some people might think that back pains are inevitable at one point or another.

For the most part, this is true.

In essence, back pain is highly prevalent because of the nature of activities people perform on a routine basis.

Chronic back pain however can be prevented.

Below are some of the ways you can prevent chronic back pain:

  • Ensure you eat right and maintain a healthy weight.
  • Make sure to incorporate exercise in your day-to-day activities.
  • Always wear comfortable shoes and refrain from wearing high heels too frequently.
  • Opt for a mattress that complements your spine’s natural curvature.
  • Be sure to always stretch and warm up prior to engaging in any rigorous sports or activities.
  • Don’t smoke or quit smoking.
  • Visit a back pain specialist when you experience troublesome back pain so proper assessment and treatment will be made.

For severe back pains that are persistent and bothersome, seeing the specialists at www.bjios.sg is recommended so the condition is given the best and the most apt treatment.

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Bodyinjury

Ease Back Pain: Top 8 Tips

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

In essence, back pain is a persistent problem that many people have and will likely experience during their lifetime.

While considered common, back pains need to addressed accordingly especially if it’s chronic.

If you are experiencing back pain secondary to an injury, it is recommended that you check with a back pain specialist.

It is fortunate to note there are also plenty of ways you can adapt to help ease back pain.

Below are 8 of the top ways you can alleviate back pain:

  1. Good posture

While not many may be aware of it, proper posture is essential if you want to ease back pain and prevent its occurrence in the first place.

While most back pains are secondary to injury or strain, other cases can be attributed to improper posture.

Proper posture should be observed at all times in order not to put strain and stress on the nerves and the back.

  1. Exercise

Exercise provides more benefits than most people know of.

For starters, even the simplest of exercise like walking can already help alleviate back pain.

Movements that stretch and get your back in an upright position can also do wonders for helping ease and prevent back pain.

However, when doing exercises, ensure that you do not end up straining your back.

Keep everything in moderation and don’t indulge too much in strenuous exercises that might end up contributing to instead of easing the pain.

  1. Rest

While resting can help reduce back pain, too much rest can actually prove counterproductive.

Individuals with short-term back pain often notice an increase in back pain when resting for really long periods.

Ideally, it would be more beneficial to move around as frequently as you can as opposed to being sedentary for too long.

Rest is a good way to relieve back pain

  1. Flexibility

Pressure, tension, and tightness often contribute to back pain.

Flexibility can do wonders for your body as it helps balance the load and ensure pressure is not limited to only one part of the body.

Do stretches and exercises that help improve and enhance flexibility so you can effectively take pressure off the body.

  1. Sleep and sleeping position

Sleep and the right sleeping position are considered vital when effectively managing back pain.

Apart from making sure you have sufficient sleeping time (and rest), your sleeping position should also be looked into.

That being said, ensure you have a mattress that can properly support your back.

If you are used to sleeping on your back, consider putting pillows under the knees.

If you are a side sleeper, you can put pillows between your knees.

At all times, make it a point to ensure your spine is kept in a neutral position.

  1. Specialist

If you want a bespoke rehabilitation or therapy plan, it would be best to get in touch with a back pain specialist at www.bjios.sg.

Back pain specialists will not only be able to pinpoint the specific causes of the back pain but they can also provide tips, insights, and advise on the proper ways to ease the pain especially for chronic cases.

  1. Relaxation

In some cases, back stress and pain can be attributed to anxiety and depression.

In line with this, it would be a good idea to adapt meditation and relaxation techniques to help ease the mind and reduce stress.

Talking with a specialist or sharing your problems with people you trust or even with a support group might also prove beneficial.

  1. Smoking

Smoking will not only do harm to the lungs but also to your back.

Smoking (and nicotine) can cause constriction of the blood flow to the back and may result to swelling and pain.

While back pain can be attributed to different reasons, unfortunately, not all back pains are harmless.

Know when back pain is a cause for worry here.

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Bodyhealth

Back Pain: When is it Bad?

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Back pain is very common that it affects most people at one point in their lives or another.

Common back pain triggers include bad posture, incorrect lifting, and awkward bending, among others.

Other likely causes include sports injuries, accidents, and muscle strains.

Treatment options for back pain are diverse.

However, before proper treatment can be decided on, a visit to a back pain specialist should be considered a must.

Causes

Whiplash

Neck injury that results from sudden impact

Sciatica

Irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve that results to tingling, pain, and numbness that may even travel down one leg

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Condition that can cause pain and stiffness

Slipped Disc

Occurs when one of the discs found in the spine gets damaged and presses on the nerves

Symptoms

It is ideal that an appointment with the doctor or back pain specialist is scheduled immediately

  • Sharp and localized pain in the neck and the lower and upper back. The pain often occurs after lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous activities. In some cases, however, upper back pain can also be a telltale sign of a heart attack or other life-threatening conditions.
  • Chronic pain felt in the middle or lower back after sitting or standing for long periods.
  • Persistent aches or stiffness felt anywhere along the spine.
  • Inability to stand up straight and not experience pain in the lower back or muscle spasms.

It is ideal that an appointment with the doctor or back pain specialist is scheduled immediately if the following alarming symptoms will manifest:

  • When pain from the back travels to the back of the leg, it can be an indicator of a medical condition known as sciatica.
  • Numbness, tingling, and weakness felt in the groins, arms, and legs. Aforementioned symptoms may be attributed to spinal cord damage.
  • If patient has problems controlling their bowel and bladder movement, seeking medical attention should be considered a must.
  • When pain in the back intensifies when coughing or bending forward, it can be due to a herniated disc.
  • When the back pain is accompanied by frequent fever or urination, it is highly likely that patient has an infection.

Other “red flags” to watch out for that can indicate more serious back issues include:

  • Night pains
  • Trauma history
  • Severe and consistent pain lasting for months
  • Drastic weight loss

Prevention

Exercise

Exercises such as walking and swimming are deemed ideal choices when tackling back pain.

Other recommended disciplines like Pilates and yoga can also significantly strengthen the muscles of the back and enhance flexibility.

Pressure

In order to keep the back strong and supple, putting strain, pressure, and stress on it should be avoided.

It is also important to keep in mind that the way one stands, lifts, and sits can have an impact on one’s overall health.

Treatment

Given that no other serious underlying condition is involved, back pains often eventually go away on its own.

However, for those who would like to alleviate the pain and hasten healing, the following tips will be helpful:

Stay active

As much as possible, it would be ideal to stay as active as you can and carry on with your day-to-day routine.

Take over-the-counter medications

Painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol are proven effective when it comes to alleviating back pain.

Try hot or cold compression packs

You can easily find and buy one from your local pharmacy.

If back pain persists for weeks, visiting a back pain specialist should be a priority.

Apart from giving the patient an accurate diagnosis, a medical professional can also recommend other treatment options like:

  • Exercise classes – a class that teaches exercises that can strengthen the muscles and improve posture might be prescribed.
  • Manual therapy – this can include physiotherapy and osteopathy.
  • Acupuncture
  • Strong painkillers

Back pain can be attributed to numerous causes. To check if your back pain is something to worry about, visit www.bjios.sg to find out.

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Bodyhealthinjury

Effective Ways to Manage Lower Back Pain

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Lower back pain is considered by many to be one of those universal human experiences.

In other words, everyone has experienced it at one point in their lives or another.

Lower pain is considered very common in adults between 30 and 50 years old.

Its severity can range from acute to chronic.

Back pain can be attributed to a lot of causes.

However, some of the most common causes include spinal abnormalities (i.e. slipped disk or spinal stenosis), muscle pulls and spasms, and nerve irritation.

Symptoms

Back pain symptoms that will manifest will often depend on the severity of the condition.

In most cases however, it can range from dull ache to stabbing or shooting sensation.

In other cases, those with the condition will notice pain when standing or moving up.

Most cases of acute lower back pain are attributed to injuries from sports or from lifting heavy objects.

If pain in the back persists past the 72-hour mark, seeing an orthopaedic specialist would be considered ideal.

Pain that persists for more than 3 months is already classified as chronic.

Individuals who experience back pain that is severe after a fall or injury should consider seeking immediate medical attention a necessity.

Other alarming symptoms that will require immediate medical attention include:

  • Fever
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Pain when coughing or urinating
  • Weakness in the leg

Risk Factors

Many people often experience lower back pain in their 30s

Many people often experience lower back pain in their 30s.

Occurrence of the condition has been noticed to increase as an individual ages.

Apart from age, there are other factors that have been known to increase a person’s risk for lower back pain.

Some of the factors are:

  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Jobs that entail lifting of heavy objects

Diagnosis

To diagnose the cause of the back pain accurately, orthopaedic specialists would most likely ask patients the following questions:

  • What is the pain like?
  • When did you first notice it?
  • What are the symptoms you have noticed?
  • Do you have a history of chronic back pain?

Treatment

In most cases, recommended treatment option for back pain will depend on the cause of the condition and its severity.

Below are some of the most effective ways used to manage back pain:

Rest

In mild cases, reducing the level of activity at least for a couple of days or more would often do wonders.

Also, putting in the back in a neutral position by putting a pillow under the knees while lying on the back has also been known to help.

Heat or ice

Evidence indicates that using heat packs and ice can significantly increase mobility and alleviate pain.

Placing a bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the painful area is often recommended to help minimize the inflammation.

The procedure should be repeated numerous times each day, at least 20 minutes for each repetition.

For those who prefer heat treatment, taking a warm bath or using a heating pad would be good ideas.

The warmth can help loose the tight muscles that might be one of the causes of the pain.

Surgery

Surgery to resolve severe back pain is very rare.

However, it can become the likely option when all other treatment options that have been exhausted has proved futile.

Surgery can also be the best option in some cases.

For instance, when small disk fragments have disintegrated, they need to be removed surgically to remove pressure on the nerve paths.

In the case of an injured or abnormal vertebrae, fusing it together might be required so the patient can regain mobility.

Generally, surgery of the back is often considered the last resort.

It can only become the ideal treatment option when there is loss of bowel or bladder control, when there is neurological loss, and when all other noninvasive alternatives have proved futile.

Manage low back pain effectively with the help of the specialists at www.bjios.sg.

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Back pain is a very common condition that it is likely to affect people at one point in their lives or another
Bodyfitnessinjury

Effective Ways to Take Care of Your Back

by allurewellness
written by allurewellness

Back pain is a very common condition that it is likely to affect people at one point in their lives or another.

Likely Causes

While unknown to many, the back is a very intricate structure made up of muscles, joints, bones, and nerves.

And because of its intricacy, finding the exact cause of the back pain is often extra challenging.

However, it is fortunate to note that most cases are not attributed to serious underlying illnesses.

Rather, injuries, minor sprains, strains, and sometimes, a pinched or irritated nerve have been identified as the most likely culprits.

If the pain is both persistent and severe however, visiting a back pain specialist would be highly recommended.

Other possible back pain culprits include:

  • Lifting and carrying of heavy objects
  • Slouching
  • Awkward twisting
  • Overstretching
  • Overusing the muscles
  • Repetitive movements
  • Pushing or pulling of heavy objects
  • Driving or sitting in a hunched position for a very long time
  • Awkward bending that lasts for sometime

In some cases, back pains can manifest without any apparent reason.

For those who want to play safe, seeing a back pain specialist should be considered a must.

Diagnosis

While most cases of back pains are harmless and will disappear on their own eventually, there are also cases where the discomfort and the pain can become very severe.

When the back is examined, the patient’s ability to walk, sit, stand, and left the legs will be checked.

In majority of the cases, individuals suffering from back pain will also be asked regarding previous injuries and illnesses, type of work, and lifestyle.

Some of the probable questions the doctor will ask include:

  • Where is the pain’s exact location?
  • When did you first notice the pain?
  • What is it like?
  • What activities can make the pain better or worse?
  • Have you had back problems or any back injuries in the past?

Prevention

One of the best ways to avoid back pain is to keep the back strong and supple

One of the best ways to avoid back pain is to keep the back strong and supple.

For starters, regular exercise, good posture, and lifting correctly can definitely help keep back pain at bay.

For individuals with recurring back pain, the following pointers may prove beneficial:

  • Avoiding drastic movements – this is done to help prevent muscle stress and strain.
  • Losing weight – extra weight especially in the upper body can put unnecessary strain and stress to the lower back. Losing the extra pounds would definitely do wonders for your back.
  • Staying active – regular exercise like walking and swimming are considered superb ways to prevent back pain.
  • Wearing of shoes with cushioned soles – this can help reduce strain on the back.

Exercise

Without doubt, exercising is one of the many proven ways to help minimize and prevent pain in the back.

However, before starting any exercise program, checking with a doctor would be ideal.

Popular exercise disciplines like yoga and Pilates are considered beneficial in helping improve back flexibility and strength.

However, it is recommended that performing any of those exercises should be done under the guidance and watch of a qualified instructor so any likely injuries are avoided.

Some exercises that have been proven to help relieve and prevent back pain include:

  • Back extensions
  • Bottom to heels stretch
  • Knee rolls

Lifting and Carrying

One of the proven culprits of back injury is the incorrect lifting and handling of objects.

To prevent these types of injuries from happening, the following tips should be kept in mind:

  • Know the limit between what you can lift and what you can lift safely. Don’t shy away from getting help when necessary.
  • Ensure weight is distributed to both sides evenly when carrying shopping bags or luggage.
  • Maintain balance by ensuring feet are apart and one feet is slightly forward. Refrain from stooping or squatting.

If you experience severe and persistent back pain, checking with a back pain specialist is recommended. Visit www.bjios.sg for expert help.

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