Bust that back pain today!

Your back pain is the result of many factors, and swift treatment may often hold the key to a complete cure.

Though technology has made life so much easier, an unavoidable counterpoint to modern life is constant stress. As we race against deadlines and battle overwork, our bodies become tired and weak. Lack of sleep, erratic meal times, little or no exercise and constant pressure to complete our tasks – all of them compete to create aches and pains in the body.

The first indicator of overwhelming exhaustion is a constantly aching back. Though there may be other causes of back pain, such as slipped or herniated disk, bad posture, strain or even spinal disorders, most types of back pain are triggered by overwork and stress.

How to get rid of back pain

1 Understand why your back hurts. It is important to distinguish between a recent back pain and a chronic condition. Some people have weaker backs, or they may have an old injury that surfaces now and then. Or the cause of your back pain could simply be an improper mattress or poor posture. Analyse when your back hurts the most, and the kind of pain it causes. Is it stiffness or radiating waves of pain, or a sharp shooting ache that makes movement difficult? Understanding the frequency and severity can also help isolate the cause of back pain, leading to proper treatment.

2 Where is the pain located? Tense and stiff shoulders can be set right with a good massage, but do you have debilitating lower back pain with spasms? If you do, it is time to visit the doctor at once. You may have harmed your spine in some way, or the pain could be the result of underlying medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal corrosion or even spine cancer. Get yourself checked by a specialist to start timely treatment of back pain. The rule of thumb in seeking treatment is, if the pain recurs and sets in instead of receding, it needs help.

3 Stop whatever causes pain. The best way to aid the back is to stop doing whatever hurts the back. A few simple precautions can help: do not lift heavy objects without bending your knees, do not stand up suddenly, do not overwork your back or legs at the gym, and maintain the right posture at all times. Also make sure that you get enough sleep at night, taking care to sleep on a supportive mattress that aligns the spine correctly. Keep a pain relief cream or spray on your nightstand, and use it before you go to bed. If you find that adequate rest and a supportive chair and mattress reduce the lower back pain, then it is probably caused by stress and lack of back support. If not, you must seek treatment for back pain.

4 Exercise regularly. Often, inactivity triggers back pain. People who are overweight, or those who lead a sedentary lifestyle are more prone to back pain than those who exercise, sleep enough and lead active lives. So the best way to treat your lower back pain, stiff shoulders, painful spine and tense upper back is to get off your chair and get moving. Take breaks between long hours of sitting by taking a walk around the block. Keep your shoulders back at all times, and do stretching and back exercises regularly. Even such activities as swimming and cycling are great for the back, apart from helping you shed weight.