Here’s
to your health
Minimize your risk for back pain
Before you reach for that snow shovel this winter, think
first about protecting your back. When you do battle
with Old Man Winter, or tackle any other kind of heavy
lifting
at home or on the job, do everything you can to reduce
the chance of injury.
About 80% of the population develops back problems at
some time in their lives. Back pain can range from
a dull, constant
ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move.
It can start quickly if you fall or lift something too
heavy, or it can get worse slowly. Discs that sit between
the vertebrae
of the spine can rupture or break down. Muscles can strain
or tear.
A wide variety of factors can increase your risk of back
problems: getting older; being out of shape or overweight;
having a job that requires lifting, pushing or pulling
while twisting your spine; having poor posture; smoking;
and having
a disease or condition that causes back pain.
You
can help prevent back pain by standing up straight and
minimizing the amount of heavy lifting you do.
When the snow
drifts beckon, or you must lift something else that’s
heavy, bend your legs and keep your back straight.
Exercising and keeping your back muscles strong are
among the best ways to minimize your risk of back
pain. Maintain
a healthy weight or shed some pounds if you weigh
too much. And maintain strong bones by making sure
to get
enough
calcium and vitamin D every day.
If you do experience back pain, treatment depends
on what kind of pain it is. Acute pain, which
starts quickly
and
lasts less than 6 weeks, usually gets better
without any treatment. Pain relievers can help ease the
pain until
it goes away.
Chronic
pain, which lasts for more than 3 months, is much less
common. Hot or cold packs may
bring temporary
relief
but don’t fix the cause. Behavioral changes,
such as learning to lift properly and exercising
more, can help in
the long term, as can getting more sleep, improving
your diet and quitting smoking.
Your doctor might recommend medications or
suggest you try complementary and alternative
medical
treatments, such as
manipulation of the spine, transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation (mild electrical pulses),
acupuncture (thin
needles used for pain relief) and acupressure
(pressure applied to
certain places in the body). Most
people with back pain don’t need surgery, even
if the pain is chronic. Surgery is reserved for situations
in which other treatments don’t work.
Back
pain can also be a sign of many other medical
conditions, including arthritis,
pregnancy, kidney stones, infections,
tumors and stress. That’s why it’s a good idea
to see a doctor if your pain is particularly bad or lasts
for more than a few days.
Signs to See a Doctor for Back Pain
· Numbness or tingling
·
Severe pain that doesn’t improve with rest
· Pain after a fall or an injury
· Pain plus any of these problems: trouble urinating, weakness,
numbness in your legs, fever
·
Weight loss when you’re not on a diet
If
you’d
like to find out more about your back and
about lower back pain, please go
to Links.
[Source: National Institute of Health]
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