Back pain is a common problem that affects men and women in nearly equal proportions. The incidence of the condition appears to increase with advancing age. In general, the problem may be described as being acute or chronic. The latter term is used if it has lasted for less than two weeks and the former used if the duration is more than two weeks. There are a number of things on back pain relief Blue Bell, PA residents need to know if struggling with the problem.
To manage a case of back ache, one needs to understand the underlying problem. The commonest cause of acute back discomfort is a muscle strain resulting from strenuous physical activities. Fortunately, most cases will resolve spontaneously either spontaneously or with the use of over the counter analgesic agents. A few cases, remain persistent and progress to chronicity.
One of the commonest causes of chronic back ache is a condition known as osteoarthritis. This is degenerative condition affecting the large joints. It frequently starts during the sixth decade of life and remains persistent. Some of the joints that are likely to be affected are the knee joints, the hip joints and the joints of the spine. Symptoms are observed to be worse with movement.
There is no definitive treatment for this problem. Over the counter analgesic agents are usually prescribed. They include non-steroidal analgesic agents such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen among others. If these fail to relieve the pain, stronger drugs such as opioids may be used. Surgery is reserved for the very severe cases and involves placement of prostheses to replace affected articular surfaces. Exercise has a role as well.
Infections are another cause of both acute and chronic pain. If the causative agent is isolated and found to be bacterial, antibiotics are usually prescribed and they provide relief in a matter of days. The most feared infection is tuberculosis. This is because, the infection usually destroys the vertebral bodies and may result in marked spinal instability. Surgery (spinal fusion) is often required to restore normalcy.
Tumors of the spine are also characterized by pain among other symptoms. They are of two main forms: primary and secondary. The primary tumors are those that originate directly from the bones the commonest of which is known as multiple myeloma. Other examples include giant cell tumors and osteogenic sarcoma. Secondary tumors, on the other hand, originate from other organs and spread to the spine. Such organs include the thyroid, the kidneys, the prostate and breasts among others. Treating the tumors helps manage the symptoms.
Several other options other than medical treatment and surgery are available. Physical therapy is among the most commonly used alternatives. There are two main types of exercises that can be used: passive and active. Passive exercises are conducted by the therapist while active exercises are done by the patient. To increase the chances of success, the two are often offered concurrently.
Acupuncture and acupressure are also offered widely. The former is a practice that involves the use of needles to restore wellness. These needles are inserted in specific predetermined areas of the body to influence the flow of life energy (qi). Acupressure works in similar fashion but instead of needles, pressure is exerted using the palm of the hand.
To manage a case of back ache, one needs to understand the underlying problem. The commonest cause of acute back discomfort is a muscle strain resulting from strenuous physical activities. Fortunately, most cases will resolve spontaneously either spontaneously or with the use of over the counter analgesic agents. A few cases, remain persistent and progress to chronicity.
One of the commonest causes of chronic back ache is a condition known as osteoarthritis. This is degenerative condition affecting the large joints. It frequently starts during the sixth decade of life and remains persistent. Some of the joints that are likely to be affected are the knee joints, the hip joints and the joints of the spine. Symptoms are observed to be worse with movement.
There is no definitive treatment for this problem. Over the counter analgesic agents are usually prescribed. They include non-steroidal analgesic agents such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen among others. If these fail to relieve the pain, stronger drugs such as opioids may be used. Surgery is reserved for the very severe cases and involves placement of prostheses to replace affected articular surfaces. Exercise has a role as well.
Infections are another cause of both acute and chronic pain. If the causative agent is isolated and found to be bacterial, antibiotics are usually prescribed and they provide relief in a matter of days. The most feared infection is tuberculosis. This is because, the infection usually destroys the vertebral bodies and may result in marked spinal instability. Surgery (spinal fusion) is often required to restore normalcy.
Tumors of the spine are also characterized by pain among other symptoms. They are of two main forms: primary and secondary. The primary tumors are those that originate directly from the bones the commonest of which is known as multiple myeloma. Other examples include giant cell tumors and osteogenic sarcoma. Secondary tumors, on the other hand, originate from other organs and spread to the spine. Such organs include the thyroid, the kidneys, the prostate and breasts among others. Treating the tumors helps manage the symptoms.
Several other options other than medical treatment and surgery are available. Physical therapy is among the most commonly used alternatives. There are two main types of exercises that can be used: passive and active. Passive exercises are conducted by the therapist while active exercises are done by the patient. To increase the chances of success, the two are often offered concurrently.
Acupuncture and acupressure are also offered widely. The former is a practice that involves the use of needles to restore wellness. These needles are inserted in specific predetermined areas of the body to influence the flow of life energy (qi). Acupressure works in similar fashion but instead of needles, pressure is exerted using the palm of the hand.
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