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.
Treatment is dependent on the underlying problem. Most cases of acute pain are due to muscle strain such as that which occurs after involvement in strenuous physical activity. They tend to resolve spontaneously with time or with over the counter analgesic agents. In a few cases, they may fail to resolve to the medication and progress to become chronic.
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 have been found to be the cause of back discomfort in some cases. Intravenous antibiotics will be prescribed if the offending agent is suspected to be bacterial. Tuberculosis of the spine, is a severely debilitating illness that may require surgical intervention including, but not limited to spinal fusion. This is because of the associated destruction of vertebral bodies that leads to significant spinal instability.
Tumors may be involved in one of two ways; as primary bone tumors affecting the spine or as secondary tumors (metastasis). Multiple myeloma is the commonest bone tumor that affects bones primarily. Others include osteogenic sarcoma, giant cell tumors and so on. Secondary tumors that metastasize to the spine and cause pain may originate from the thyroid, breasts, kidneys or the prostate gland. As is the case with other types of cancers, treatment is through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery depending on the stage.
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.
Acupressure and acupuncture are other options that one may consider. Acupuncture is said to work by restoring the normal flow of life energy (also known as qi). This is made possible through the use of fine needles that are inserted into the body in predetermined regions. Acupressure is done similarly but the palm of the hand is used to apply pressure instead of needles.
Treatment is dependent on the underlying problem. Most cases of acute pain are due to muscle strain such as that which occurs after involvement in strenuous physical activity. They tend to resolve spontaneously with time or with over the counter analgesic agents. In a few cases, they may fail to resolve to the medication and progress to become chronic.
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 have been found to be the cause of back discomfort in some cases. Intravenous antibiotics will be prescribed if the offending agent is suspected to be bacterial. Tuberculosis of the spine, is a severely debilitating illness that may require surgical intervention including, but not limited to spinal fusion. This is because of the associated destruction of vertebral bodies that leads to significant spinal instability.
Tumors may be involved in one of two ways; as primary bone tumors affecting the spine or as secondary tumors (metastasis). Multiple myeloma is the commonest bone tumor that affects bones primarily. Others include osteogenic sarcoma, giant cell tumors and so on. Secondary tumors that metastasize to the spine and cause pain may originate from the thyroid, breasts, kidneys or the prostate gland. As is the case with other types of cancers, treatment is through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery depending on the stage.
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.
Acupressure and acupuncture are other options that one may consider. Acupuncture is said to work by restoring the normal flow of life energy (also known as qi). This is made possible through the use of fine needles that are inserted into the body in predetermined regions. Acupressure is done similarly but the palm of the hand is used to apply pressure instead of needles.
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