Chronic back pain affects millions of people each year. It is not a distinct ailment. Instead, it is an umbrella term for a number of different issues that cause pain in the spinal region. Your back is an immensely important part of the body. It provides structural support, and muscular strength and contains the central nervous highway: the spinal cord. If you have back pain, you can try using various products like a back stretcher for pain relief. If it is still not going away, it is wise to consult a physician. This article profiles some of the most common reasons why back pain develops.
Poor Posture
Poor posture is a long-term problem that can have long-term effects. Because of the sedentary computer-based lifestyle that modern working people often lead, poor posture is more of a problem than ever before. Remember to stretch at least twice a day if you feel like your posture is disintegrating. Using a home and office standing desk will help mitigate the problems caused by bad posture. Some workplaces are offering standing desks as standard practice in order to reduce the physical toll (and therefore employee disgruntlement) imposed by office life.
A Strain
A strain in the muscles that surround the spine is a common cause of chronic back pain. The muscles surrounding the spine are essential for maintaining posture and supporting the structure of the body. Recently, private companies like bioxcellerator.com have been able to offer stem cell injection treatments to help speed up the recovery times of muscular tissue around the spine.
A slipped Disc
Soft cushions of tissue act as buffers between your vertebrae. When one of these is dislodged, it is known as a slipped disc. Slipped disc injuries are immensely painful and can adversely affect the quality of a sufferer’s life. If the pain from a slipped disc persists for more than a few weeks, then a doctor may prescribe steroid injections. These injections are intended to speed up the recovery rate of intraspinal tissues. In very rare and acute cases, surgery may be recommended.
Sciatica
Sciatica is caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is located in the lower back. Sufferers tend to feel numbness and pain in their lumbar region and upper leg. In most cases, sciatica symptoms can be subdued after a few weeks of non-surgical treatment involving stretches, injections, and pain medications. Sciatica is a very common problem – affecting around 10 – 40 percent of the population, depending on which survey you consult.
Ankylosing Spondylosis
Ankylosing Spondylosis is a condition caused by the swelling of the joints in the spine. The pain caused by this swelling is usually at its worst in the morning. Stretching and exercising during the course of the day usually help to calm the pain down. Sufferers of this ailment tend to be more vulnerable to fractures of the spine. In more extreme cases, strong anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed in order to help a patient maintain their quality of life. Symptoms usually start to emerge as a patient goes through puberty.