Most back pain will go away on its own even it takes awhile. In other cases pain relievers or rest may help to make you comfortable. The particular treatment you get for your back pain will depend on the type of pain and the underlying cause.
What Causes Back Pain?
Due to the complexity of the back with its interconnections of bones, nerves and muscles, it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the source or underlying cause of pain. Back pain can result from a variety of conditions which come on suddenly or develop over time. In some instances, there is no underlying cause at all.
On the other hand, pain in the back can be the result of injuries, sprains, strains, pinched nerves or everyday activities at home or work. Some common causes include:
There are some conditions that place you at risk of experiencing back pain:
- Using bone depleting medication such as corticosteroids
Some people find home treatments effective in easing pain. These include having a hot bath, using hot water bottles or ice packs. You may opt to change your sleeping position, trying to relax, exercising and staying active.
How Is Back Pain Best Treated?
There is no one recommended treatment to ease back pain. The most effective remedies or means to make you comfortable will likely depend on whether or not one treatment fails. According to the National Health Service in the UK, while the first thing to try for back pain is pain relieving medication, home remedies and exercise. If these do not prove to be effective then the following treatments may be tried:
What is the Prognosis of Back Pain?
In most cases of back pain the condition is relatively mild and non-disabling. Only a small portion of sufferers end up with chronic pain. The outcome of treatment is highly dependent on the particular individual’s health and lifestyle. Recovery can be complete within a few weeks. However, it is not uncommon for chronic back pain to be recurring.
Over 90% of individuals end up with successful pain relief and the ability to avoid surgery while getting back to work and playing with one’s kids!
References:
“Back Pain.” U.S National Library of Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/backpain.html>.
“Back Pain – Causes .” Back Pain – Causes. National Health Service UK, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. <http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Back-pain/Pages/Causes.aspx>.
“What is the Prognosis of Back Pain?” Clinical Rheumatology
Best practice and Research,Volume 24, Issue 2, Pages 167–179, April 2010