When Your Back Hurts Everything Hurts

Back pain, when gone untreated, can become a serious problem.

Your brain, being complex as it is, is always informed when
there is back pain, or any body pain for that matter. This is
done by your body sending messages to the brain through the
spinal cord and then the brain sending messages back in return.


The reasons for back pain are not always as easy to discover as
you may think. However, for the most part, the pain either has
to do with muscles, bones, or disks.

The pain is usually caused if you have pulled an item far too
heavy, or you have simply pulled hard on something that didn't
even move. By pulling hard on an object it is very easy to pull
a muscle. The muscles at play are usually the Latissimus Dorsi,
Teres (major and minor) and the Trapezius.

If you feel like the pain is focused more on your upper back
than anything else, then it probably in the thoracic region
(upper back). Damage to that region is frequently caused by
muscle strains or harm to ligaments.

Although if your back is hurting a lot and if you think that
the pain is muscle related then there's not much you can do but
sit back, relax, and wait it out. The pain will eventually go
away all by itself.

Another cause of back pain is when it has to do with bone
damage. Basically, the back is made up of the spinal cord. The
spinal cord is made up of 24 vertebrates and surrounding,
cushioning discs.

The three basic parts of the spinal cord include the cervical
region (top of the spinal column; bottom of the skull and neck
support), the thoracic region (top and middle parts of the back
- 12 vertebrae with ribs on both sides), and the lumbar region
(5 vertebrae which supports the weight of the upper body-
easily damaged).

Now that you understand the parts of the back you can
understand the way it damages.

Connected to the spinal cord are cushioning disks. Mostly in
older people, due to weak bones, excess pressure can be put on
the disks and cause discomfort. If it gets out of hand, the
disk can shift, in order to relive pressure but in return push
cartilage right into a nerve root or the spinal canal, causing
even more pain. This is caused a bulging disk and if these you
think this could be occurring in your back then see a doctor.

Of course back pain is uncomfortable. It affects nearly
everything you do, but your back pain doesn't have to last
forever.

About The Author: For more important information on back pain
be sure to visit http://www.0-backpain.com Providing you with
information on back pain topics, causes of back pain and how to
relieve your back so that you can live the best and healthiest
life you can.

Low Back Pain - Physician Advice on Relief and Causes

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for
visiting a primary care physician. People may experience
back pain after lifting heavy objects, twisting and turning
their backs during exercise or household chores, or after a
period of inactivity. Acute low back pain is often caused
by muscle inflammation and spasm and may start suddenly or
increase gradually over time. It may occur in the center of
the low back or next to the spine on either side. The pain
from muscle strain and spasm is often achy and crampy with
periods of sharpness that occur because of "stressing" the
involved muscle. Laying down usually relieves the pain. The
pain is often accompanied by stiffness when moving the
lower back and very tender muscles. It will usually get
better with regular use of rest, heat, massage and/or
anti-inflammatories and/or muscle relaxants for two to four
weeks. Moist heat applied for 20 minutes three to four
times daily and taking 200 to 800 mg per day of ibuprofen
helps relieve the contracted and inflamed muscles. People
can hasten recovery by continuing to be as active as
tolerated and not to lift heavy objects or move in ways
that aggravate the pain.

Low back pain which lasts more than 6 weeks and/or begins
to change in character needs to be evaluated by a
physician. If the pain becomes sharp and begins to radiate
into the buttocks or down the legs, a nerve may be pinched.
The most common nerve affected by muscular spasm, spinal
stenosis or a herniated disk is the sciatic nerve. The
sciatic nerve is a combination of nerve roots which come
from the lower spinal cord (L4-S3) and form the largest
nerve in the body. When a combination of the nerve roots or
the whole nerve is pinched, one experiences pain, tingling
or numbness in the buttock or the backside of the leg past
the knee to the foot. One may notice the affected leg is
weak and have foot drop or the inability to extend the
great toe. Although pain caused by a pinched sciatic nerve
(sciatica) can be very painful and debilitating, there is
no risk of permanent nerve damage or paralysis. Sciatica is
treated with physical therapy, massage, anti-inflammatories
and manipulative treatments.

A herniated disk or narrowed spinal column (spinal
stenosis) can also cause low back pain. The pain is achy or
sharp and can worsen suddenly if nerves are compressed,
leading to the symptoms discussed above. A primary
difference between these conditions is that the pain from a
bulging disk is made worse from bending forward and
decreased by leaning backward. The opposite is true for
spinal stenosis pain. The pain from both of these
conditions gets better with laying down. Thee pain caused
from sciatica is usually is not relieved by laying down (it
may even get worse). The development of sudden leg
weakness, lack of sensation in the pelvic area and
involuntary leakage of urine or stool are signs of cauda
equina syndrome. The cauda equina is a "tail" of nerves at
the end of the spinal cord. If these nerves are pinched, it
produces the cauda equina syndrome. In addition to the
conservative treatments for a pinched nerve, surgery may be
an option to reduce the impingement by removing the disk or
fusing the vertebrae to widen the spinal column.

Other non-muscular and non-neurologic causes of back pain
are infection and cancer. Warning signs that these
conditions may be a cause of acute or chronic low back are
fever, chills, lack of improvement with regular use of
anti-inflammatories and exercise, and pain that worsens
with laying on the back. It is important to inform a
physician about these symptoms so that blood tests and
imaging studies can be ordered to diagnose and treat these
conditions before complications arise.

The injury associated with low back pain can be prevented
by regular exercise (such as walking and low back
exercises), maintenance of a healthy body weight and using
correct body mechanics when lifting heavy objects.


----------------------------------------------------
Roger Hutchison, with his wife Dawn Hutchison, D.O. offer
more articles, tips, online videos and downloadable reports
at http://www.greatimmunity.com . This project focuses
their background in sports nutrition and athletic
performance on ways to boost the immune system for
workouts, training and long term health.

7 Deadly Myths and 5 Lifting Solutions to Back Pain

What're the 5 Deadly Myths about Back Pain & 5 Effective ways to
Levitate the Pain?

Let's begin by learning some facts in order to separate truth
from myth with regards to back pain. First of all, under one
percent of acute lower back pain is the result of a serious
infection or condition like cancer or a spinal injury. For those
under 50, the rate is even lower.

Back pain is the number one disability for those under age 45.
And it runs second, after the common cold, as the top reason for
visiting a healthcare provider in the United States.

Myth 1:

"There is nothing really wrong with you." Myth! Chronic pain
sufferers report that doctors generally tell this to about 90
percent of them and it is incorrect. In reality, the majority of
low back pain cases or some 90 percent generally come from an
unknown cause, like an infection or a particular injury. And the
duration of the pain runs generally from four to six weeks.

Myth 2:

"People don't die from chronic back pain." Wrong! The pain
combined with depression and anxiety in long-term cases places
sufferers at risk for suicide, which does happen from time to
time.


Myth 3:

"Most back pain requires surgery." Myth! On the contrary, under
two percent of patients with back pain need surgery. However,
back pain is the third top reason for surgery.

Myth 4:

"Only a small percentage of workers suffer back pain on the job.
" Wrong! The top occupational hazard in the USA is back pain.

Myth 5:

"Lie down and rest for back pain." Au contraire. Contrary to
popular believe, bed rest can hinder recovery. Health care
providers recommend remaining active to decrease down time for
patients.
"Men suffer back pain more than women." Not! With regards to
gender issues and back pain, it is a myth that men suffer back
pain more than women. In reality, the only main difference is
with secondary pain to disk disorders during middle age. However,
with regards to race, low back pain is reported more frequently
among Caucasians than other races including African Americans.

Myth 6:

"If a patient's pain description lacks a regular, consistent
pattern, it's probably imagined or exaggerated." Myth! No two
people, no two cases are totally 100 percent identical.
Activities, events, pain and people themselves vary from day to
day and there is no 100 percent correct way to describe pain in
words to fit a perfectly accurate diagnosis.

Myth 7:

What you can do to prevent back pain and injuries and, if you do
sustain them, what can be done to promote the healing process?
Though the focus here is on what can be done on an individual
basis, it must always be remembered that there is no replacement
for consultation with a qualified physician. 80 percent of the
adult population suffers from back pain at some point in their
lives, so, whether it's you of somebody you care for, it is
useful to have some techniques at hand for treating it.


The Solutions:

The good news about back pain is that is usually goes away on
its own over time. The vast majority of it comes from simply
straining muscles and joints at levels they are not designed to
withstand, which leads into the first recommendation:

Over-The-Counter-Medications. In response to an injury a body
part may become inflamed, which you will know by the signs of
swelling, pain, warmth, and redness. To achieve a measure of
pain relief and assist the healing process you can buy over-the-
counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
Acetominophen is another alternative. Though not an anti-
inflammatory drug, it does treat pain effectively and is easier
on the stomach.

1) Ice and Heat. During the first 48 hours after a back injury
ice slows down the swelling process and acts to reduce the pain.
After 48 hours, however, it loses these abilities. This is when
your switch to heat, as in the form of a heating pad. This
increases the blood flow to recovering tissue and relaxes the
muscles.
2) Massage. Be it done by a friend or family member with a nice
touch or a professional, a massage can relax strained muscles
and, just as importantly, a strained psyche that is causing back
muscles to tense up.
3) Keep Moving. When we are hurt instinct tells us to lay low
and keep movement to a minimum. Indeed, the traditional
approach to treating back pain used to tell us exactly that.
More recent studies, however, have shown that careful movement
does a better job of promoting recovery than remaining still.
Much can be accomplished with simple exercises - provided you
have consulted with a specialist who can dispense advice and
instructions on what is best for you.
4) Change Your Routine. Though movement can help in the
recovery from a back injury, it is also important during this
period to avoid things that result in putting too much stress,
be it physical or psychological, on your healing back. Whether
it is in improving your posture in a chair, not lifting heavy
objects, or avoiding things that cause you aggravation, adapt
your daily routine to the requirements of your recovering back.
Otherwise, there is a pronounced risk of re-injury, a longer
than necessary recovery period, or an injury that does not heal
properly and is vulnerable to further damage.
5) Pain Management. For persistent or long lasting pain, refer
to the chapter on chronic pain for additional strategies.


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DISCLAIMER: Note that the contents here are not presented from a medical practitioner, and that any and all health care planning should be made under the guidance of your own medical and health practitioners. The content within only presents an overview based upon research for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a practicing physician. Further, the information in this manual is provided "as is" and without warranties of any kind either express or implied.
Under no circumstances, including, but not limited to, negligence, shall the seller/distributor of this information be liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the information presented here. Thank you.
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Exercise Can Help Relieve Lower Back Pain

If you are one of the millions of people that suffer from lower
back pain, then you need to know that exercise can do wonders
for you. When it comes to relieving lower back pain, exercise
provides more long term relief than any back pills that your
doctor can give you. The fact is, pills only serve to mask the
problem by providing temporary relief of the pain, but the
problem that is causing much of the pain is still there.
Exercise will strengthen the muscles that support your back and
improve flexibility thus greatly reducing the chances of future
attacks.

You should be doing a three fold program of exercise which
includes aerobics, resistance and stretching exercises. Aerobic
exercise like walking and bike riding will begin to get your
body conditioned properly because it strengthens your heart and
lightly works your muscles. Resistance exercise like weight
lifting will strengthen the muscles that support your back.
Stretching exercises will increase flexibility giving your back
a greater range of motion. Your doctor can guide you as to when
and how much of each type of exercise you should be getting.

For people with lower back pain, the best aerobic exercises to
do are low impact ones like swimming, walking and bike riding.
Jogging, dance aerobics and step aerobics all produce repeated
impact on your back and on your knee and hip joints as well. In
order to get in good condition, start out with 15 minutes of
light aerobic work per day, 2 to 3 times per week, and then
gradually build yourself up to 30 to 40 minutes per day, 4 to 5
times per week.

You should be working enough to raise your heart rate to be in
between 65% to 85% of your maximal heart rate. You determine
your maximal heart rate by subtracting your age from 220.
Regardless of whether you are walking, bike riding or doing any
other aerobic exercise, always maintain good posture. This means
sit up strait, stand strait and do not slouch or lean forward.
Good posture is essential to any good exercise program.

When it comes to resistance exercising, you always want to
concentrate on the abdominal muscles. These muscles play a
major part in giving your lower back support and the stronger
they are, the more relief for your back. Also important is to
do exercises that are designed to specifically strengthen the
lower back muscles themselves. You will best benefit from
working each muscle group 2 to 3 times per week. You may want
to hire a qualified fitness trainer to help get you on your way
by designing a resistance program that is right for you.

Remember that while resistance exercise is great for
strengthening the targeted muscles being worked, there should
never be any pain involved. Some discomfort should be present
in the muscles being worked while performing the exercises for
them, but should subside very shortly after completion of the
exercise. If there is any pain during the exercises or if
discomfort persists for some time after, it is a sign that
something is wrong and exercising should be discontinued and
your doctor should be consulted immediately.

As far as stretching is concerned, 10 to 15 minutes of moderate
stretching per day is usually enough to get the job done just
fine. Here you really want to concentrate on stretching your
hamstrings which are the muscles in the back of your upper
legs. The looser your hamstring muscles are, the better range
of motion your back will have as flexible hamstring muscles do
not put the strain on your lower back that tight ones do.

Stretching the lower back muscles is also a must and sitting on
the floor with your legs flat on the floor in front of you while
you slowly reach for your toes until you can't go any further,
hold for 10 seconds, and sit back up is a great exercise to
stretch both your hamstrings and your lower back. Repeat this
stretch 2 to 3 times each day.

While there are no miracle cures for lower back pain, you can
make living with a lower back condition much easier to deal
with by simply incorporating some exercise into your life each
day. It is worth the effort in the long run give up 30 to 40
minutes per day, 4 to 5 days per week to exercise away your
lower back pain.


About The Author: Jim O'Neill gives you tons of valuable
information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and
nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle.
Sign up now for his free 7 part mini e-course at:
http://www.mrgymfitness.com/minicourse.php

Identifying The Common Causes Of Back Pain

Understanding the Causes of Back Pain

An aching back is a problem suffered by more than 50% of
American adults. According to the American Chiropractic
Association, it is estimated that over 80% of Americans will
suffer from back pain at some time in their life. Becoming
familiar with the causes of back pain and their subsequent
treatment protocols can be of great help should you ever find
yourself suffering from back pain. While both men and women can
develop back problems, there are some causes that primarily
affect women. Other groups susceptible to chronic back pain
include the elderly, athletes, the overweight and people with a
genetic disposition to back problems.

Typical Causes of Back Pain

The primary causes of back pain are related to muscular sprains
and strains, spinal disc injuries and diseases which affect the
joints, such as arthritis. Acute back pain stems from a short
term injury or strain and can be treated with rest and
readjustment. Chronic causes of back pain are generally more
difficult to identify and treat. While many of the symptoms are
similar, identifying the underlying causes is the key to finding
effective treatment.

Coccydynia – Considered fairly rare among the causes of back
pain, Coccydynia is a localized pain that stems from the coccyx
or tailbone. This condition can manifest as the result of a
fall, or from giving birth. Lower back pain caused by
Coccydynia is almost always aggravated by sitting. Treatment
for severe cases of this condition can include a surgical
removal of the coccyx.

Pregnancy-Related Back Pain – It is commonly known that
pregnancy is one of the main causes of back pain in women. The
additional weight combined with birth related hormones can
result in moderate to severe back pain in pregnant women. The
best treatment for pregnancy-related back pain is exercise.

Osteoarthritis – One of the most well documented, but least
understood causes of back pain is degenerative arthritis of the
spine. While most frequently seen in elderly patients,
Osteoarthritis can affect younger patients as well. Arthritis
causes the disintegration of cartilage, the cushioning material
that supports spinal vertebrae. While there is no cure for
Osteoarthritis, patients can receive treatments for pain
management.

Muscle Strain – Arguably one of the most common causes, muscle
strain can be the result of stress, bad posture, repetitive
activities or applying too much force to the back muscles.
Muscle strain injuries are typically treated with a combination
of exercise and rest.

Herniated Disc – One of the most painful causes of back pain is
a herniated disc. When spinal cartilage is pushed up against the
sensitive nerves in your back, the result is a herniated or
bulging disc. If the affected never is the Sciatic nerve that
runs down your spinal column, pain can extend down into your
legs and feet. Treatment for back pain stemming from spinal
vertebrae issues can include medication, physical therapy, and
occasionally, surgery.


About The Author: P. Basauri is an expert author who writes for
http://www.back-pain-relief-bed.com

Facts vs Myths About Back Pain

Let’s begin by learning some facts in order to separate truth
from myth with regards to back pain. First of all, under one
percent of acute lower back pain is the result of a serious
infection or condition like cancer or a spinal injury. For
those under 50, the rate is even lower. Back pain is the number
one disability for those under age 45. And it runs second, after
the common cold, as the top reason for visiting a healthcare
provider in the United States.

“There is nothing really wrong with you.” Myth! Chronic pain
sufferers report that doctors generally tell this to about 90
percent of them and it is incorrect. In reality, the majority
of low back pain cases or some 90 percent generally come from
an unknown cause, like an infection or a particular injury. And
the duration of the pain runs generally from four to six weeks.
“People don’t die from chronic back pain.” Wrong! The pain
combined with depression and anxiety in long-term cases places
sufferers at risk for suicide, which does happen from time to
time.

“Most back pain requires surgery.” Myth! On the contrary, under
two percent of patients with back pain need surgery. However,
back pain is the third top reason for surgery. “Only a small
percentage of workers suffer back pain on the job.” Wrong! The
top occupational hazard in the USA is back pain.

“Lie down and rest for back pain.” Au contraire. Contrary to
popular believe, bed rest can hinder recovery. Health care
providers recommend remaining active to decrease down time for
patients.

“Men suffer back pain more than women.” Not! With regards to
gender issues and back pain, it is a myth that men suffer back
pain more than women. In reality, the only main difference is
with secondary pain to disk disorders during middle age.
However, with regards to race, low back pain is reported more
frequently among Caucasians than other races including African
Americans. “If a patient’s pain description lacks a regular,
consistent pattern, it’s probably imagined or exaggerated.”
Myth! No two people, no two cases are totally 100 percent
identical. Activities, events, pain and people themselves vary
from day to day and there is no 100 percent correct way to
describe pain in words to fit a perfectly accurate diagnosis.


About The Author: There is finally Relief for Back Pain!
http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/backpainrelief