What is backache?
Backache (back pain) is defined as pain which is felt in the upper, middle and lower back. Back pain is a common complaint in adults.
Back pain may be associated with the lumbar spine, disc between vertebrae, ligaments around the spine, lower back muscles, abdominal and pelvic organs.
What is the age and sex prevalence of backache?
Backache affects both men and women equally. It has been found to occur most frequently in people aged between 30-50 years.
What are the causes which induce backache?
Causes include:
- Osteoarthritis: the joints of the backbones undergo degeneration.
- Herniated Discs (disc prolapsed): any heavy strain or increased pressure in the back can displace the discs which act as shock absorbers for the backbones.
- Injuries and fractures of the vertebrae: conditions that cause nerve, bone or tissue injury can cause back pain -vehicular accidents, falls from a bike or falls on the back compressing the structures in the back which leads to backache.
- Compression of the spinal cord (stenosis):
- Deformities: often the backbone curvature is damaged secondary to other diseases like scoliosis or kyphosis which usually tend to deviate the alignment of the spine.
- Occupational: long hours of standing, lifting heavy weights or sitting in the wrong position.
What are the possible risk factors?
Risk factors include:
- Trauma: unusual lifting
- Fatigue
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- General poor health
- Faulty structure of feet
- Stress, anxiety, depression
How to know if your back pain is serious?
If a person is experiencing pain that shoots down to their leg especially when pain radiates down from the lumbar region to the foot can be serious as it may indicate a herniated disc or compression of the disc etc.
Is walking good for reducing back pain?
Walking lessens the pain, hastens the healing, boosts strength, increases flexibility, and, in the long run, prevents the recurrence of backache. Therefore, walking can reduce back pain.
How to diagnose backache?
- Physical examination: duration of pain, any fever or weight loss.
- Palpation. any outward signs of trauma like broken bones, brazed skin etc. The doctor will assess reflexes, joint stability, and flexibility of the muscles around the joints.
- Gait: Check the way you walk.
- Straight leg test: to check sciatica pain.
- A complete blood count (CBC)
- Radiographic evaluation
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)/Computed Tomographic Scanning (CT )
- Bone scanning
What are the possible pathological conditions for backache?
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Acute appendicitis
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Renal calculi
- Urinary tract infection
What is the treatment of backache?
Painkillers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Physiotherapy: exercises for improving posture and muscle tone.
What are the homoeopathic medicines that help in treating backache?
Aesculus hippocastanum
Bryonia alba
Colocynthis
Gnaphalium
Kalium carbonicum
Rhus toxicodendron
Diet and management for backache?
- Avoid bending while lifting. During lifting heavy objects keep your knees bent.
- Keep the spine erect and straight
- Avoid twisting of body
- Do not remain seated for long hours.
- Avoid wearing high-heeled footwear
- Exercise daily
- Maintains proper body weight as obesity leads to backache.
- Have foods rich in calcium, Vitamin D, phosphorus and proteins as these nutrients help in building and repairing bones and muscles.
- Quit smoking as it contributes to osteoporosis.
- Avoid stress
- Avoiding long hour-standing
- Avoid slouch while sitting.
