Backache
Prevention
Avoid
any sudden strain. If you are going to have to
bend in any way make sure that your back is not
cold and stiff. Exercise regularly to loosen up
the back and strengthen its supporting abdominal
muscles. Stretching your back helps loosen it
and prevent injury.
If you sit for long
periods, make sure your back is properly supported.
Place a small roll in the arch of your lower spine
(at waist height) to maintain its normal S-curve.
Simply a towel, or cushion rolled up will do.
When lifting, never
bend down from the waist, lower and raise yourself
at the knees. Keep your back straight and hold
the object close to your body. If you are going
to carry anything any distance that may be heavy,
make sure that your way is clear. You do not want
to be dodging around things when you are carrying.
Balance items you
carry evenly on both sides of your body and hold
them close or use a knapsack.
Sleep on your back
if possible, with knees raised on a pillow. If
you sleep on your side, a pillow between the knees
is a big help.
If you need a firm
bed, place a board between the mattress and the
box spring.
Lower Back Pain
Eight out of ten Americans
will experience a backache at some point. Back
pain is the second most common reason for doctor
visits in the U.S. The causes of lower back pain
are numerous. Some of the more common causes of
lower back pain are:
- Sudden injury to the back
such as may occur in an auto accident, fall,
sports, or other manner.
- Gynecological conditions
such as endometriosis, menstrual cramps,
fibroid tumors, and pregnancy are sometimes
the cause of lower back pain in women.
- Stress to the muscles, nerves,
or ligaments in the lower back.
- Certain jobs such as those
that require repetitive movements, sitting
in chairs that are not ergonomically proper
for your back, or standing for long periods
of time often increase back stress and cause
lower back pain.
- Arthritis, osteoporosis,
osteoarthritis, and other bone or joint
diseases often cause lower back pain.
- Not getting enough physical
activity, being sedentary, or being overweight
often stresses the lower back causing pain.
- Slipped discs, pinched nerves,
sciatica, aging, and infections are other
common causes of lower back pain.
- Smoking. More than 1300 physicians
were followed from time of graduation (1948-1964)
from John Hopkins University, some for over
fifty years. The researchers found that
smoking history, hypertension, and coronary
artery disease (risk factors for atherosclerosis,
occlusion of the arteries) are significantly
associated with development of lower back
pain.
Because there are so
many causes of lower back pain, some serious such
as spinal tumors, if you experience lower back
pain see your health care provider for diagnosis.
If your lower back pain is sudden and severe and
it is not during your provider's office hours,
go immediately to your local hospital emergency
room.
Muscle Relaxants
Once the cause of
your back pain has been been properly diagnosed,
there are supplements to physical therapy and
good posture that can help, such as skelatal muscle
relaxants like Soma,
Selaxin
and Flexeril.
Muscle relaxants such as Soma Selaxin and Flexeril
are prescription medications that are used to
treat pain caused by muscle spasms like muscle
injuries, spasms, sprains, and strains. Skelaxin
Soma Flexeril and other muscle relaxers are recommended
as a supplement to physical therapy, rest, or
other treatments your doctor may recommend, and
will not replace these treatments.
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