How Back Pain Starts

When considering back pain we must concern ourselves with its variants. For instance, back pain can start with slip disks, which in medical terms is called “Herniated nucleus pulposa.” (HNP) Doctors define slip disks as ruptures of the “intervertebral disk.” The intervertebral rests between the vertebrae (Spinal Column) of the backbone.

The interruption has variants, including the “Lumbrosacral,” (L4 and L5) as well as cervical C5-7. The cervical is at the neck and belongs to other parts of the back and neck as well. When doctors consider slip disks they often look through etiology, which includes neck and back strains, trauma, congenital/inborn bone malformation, heavy lifting, degenerated disks, and/or weakness of ligaments.

After carefully considering, etiology doctors consider Pathophysiology, which includes protrusions of the “nucleus pulposus.” The center connects to the column or spinal canal and perhaps compressing the spinal cord or the nerve core, or roots, which causes back pain. If the spinal cord is compressed restraining the roots and cord often back pain, numbness, and the motor functions may fail.

The assessments in medical terms are based on Lumbrosacral, which may include acute or chronic pain at the lower back. The pain may spread out to the buttocks and move toward the legs. The person may feel weakness, as well as numbness. In addition, such pain can cause tingling around the legs and foot. The final assessment may include ambulation, which emerges from pain.

The cervical is considered. The symptoms experts look for is neck rigidity, deadness, weakness, and “tingling of the” hands. If the neck pain spreads the pain down to the arms and continue to the hands, experts will consider slip disks. Yet other symptoms may occur, such as weakness that affects the farthest points, or the higher boundaries of the body. The lumbar curves is at the lower back region and is situated in the loins or the smaller area of the back, which doctors consider also, especially if the patient has difficult straightening this area with the curvature of the spine (scoliosis) and away from the area influenced.

When doctors consider back pain, they will review the diagnostics after conducting a series of tests. Diagnostics may arise from tendon reflex, x-rays, EMG, myelograms, CSF, and/or Laséque signs. CSF helps the doctor to analyze the increases in protein while EMG assists experts in viewing the involvement of the spinal nerves. X-rays are used to help experts see the narrow disk space. Tendon reflexes are tested, which the doctors use tests to look deep into the depressed region, or the absent upper boundary reflexes, or in medical lingo the Achilles’ reactions or reflex. Myelograms assist the expert in seeing if the spinal cord is compressed. The tests start if the Laséque signs show positive results behind etiology findings, Pathophysiology, assessments, and so on.
How doctors manage slip disks:
Doctors prescribe management in medical schemes to isolate or relieve back pain. The management schemes may include diet whereas the calories are set according to the patient’s metabolic demands. The doctor may increase fiber intake, as well as force fluids.

Additional treatment or management may include hot pads, moisture, etc, as well as hot compressions. Doctors often recommend pain meds as well, such as those with NAID. The pain meds include Motrin, Naproxen, Dolobid, or Diflunisal, Indocin, ibuprofen, and so on. Additional meds may include muscle Relaxers, such as Flexeril and Valiums. The common Relaxers are diazepam and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, which diazepam is valiums and the other Flexeril.

Orthopedic mechanisms are also prescribed to reduce back pain, which include cervical collars and back braces. 

Bones and Back Pain

In the entire body are around 206 skeletal bones, which include the long bones, short, fat, and uneven bones. Inside the bones are red blood cells, (RBC), bone marrow, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Magnesium is silvery white elements of metallic that start from organic compounds and works with calcium to afford support and strength to the muscles, which the bones connect with to defend the internal organs and movement. Calcium is similar to magnesium, yet it is produced from alkaline metals from the earth.

The body’s skeletal muscles give us the support we need to move, stand, walk, sit, and so while supporting the posture. Muscles contract, shorten, and expand. The muscles attach to bones, as well as tendons. Once the muscles begin to contract, it stimulates the muscle fiber, which feeds off the motor neurons. The nerves are made up of extensions of nerve cells, which are thread-like and transmit impulses outwardly from the body of cells. (Axon) The cell bodies are branched extensions of nerve cells (Neurons), which receive electrical signals from other nerves that conduct signals back to the body of cells. This action emerges from dendrites. Dendrites transmit nerve impulses to the main area of the body that when interrupted can cause major problems. We call this large, major system the Central Nerve System. (CNS) Dendrites are also called the tree sometimes, since it stores minerals that crystallizes the system and forms the shape of a tree. The CNS is a network of neurons, or nerve cells that include the muscle fibers. The fibers and nerve cells chain together and consist of cell bodies, dendrites, axon, etc. Messages are conveyed through these neurons, which sensations are transmitted to the brain, thus carrying motor impulses that reach the vital organs and muscles.

We use our muscles and the components combined to move. The skeletal muscles are transmitters also, since these muscles send energy that creates muscle contractions and forms as ATP. The muscles also form as adenosine Triphosphate, ADP (Adenosine Diphosphate Phosphate), and hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is reactions that occur with fluids. Thus, chemical reactions emerge with compound reactions and causes decomposition. In addition, it reacts by producing two or more additional compounds, which may include a combo of glucose and/or minerals, etc.

Adenosine Triphosphate is components of our RNA. The compounds of adenine and organic ribose sugar, which makes up the components of nucleic acid and energy, which is carried via molecules. Ribose has five-carbon sugars, which is discovered in living cells. Its constituents, RNA, plays a vital part in the metabolically structure, since compounds include nucleic acids, riboflavin, and ribonucleotides exist. Riboflavin is necessary for growth and energy. The pigments are made up of orange-yellow crystals, which derive from Vitamin B complex. Riboflavin is vital to particular enzymes also. Riboflavin is sometimes known as Vitamin G and lactoflavin as well.

We achieve tone from our muscles, since they act as retainers. The action causes the muscles to hold back a degree of contractions, which breaks down the transmission of nerve impulses or white crystalline compounds that release from the ends of neuron fiber (Acetylcholine) by use of enzymes known as cholinesterase.

The enzymes of the brain, blood, and heart decomposes acetylcholine, breaking it down into acetic (Vinegary) acids and choline, which suppresses its’ stimuli and affects the nerves. The action is sometimes known as acetyl-cholinesterase. Enzymes are proteins, which are complex. The elements produce from the living cells and promote specific biochemical reactions. Enzymes act as catalysts.

Each element outlined makes up the parts of the body that when affected can lead to back pain. For instance, if the muscle tone fails to hold back contractions, and breaking down of nerve impulse transmission at a given time, the muscles are overexerted, which causes back pain.

10 Self-Help Tips For Pain Management

Whether your pain has just come on or you’ve lived with it for years, these tried-and-tested self-help steps can bring you relief.


1. Get some gentle exercise. Simple, everyday activity like walking, swimming, gardening and dancing can ease some of the pain directly by blocking pain signals to the brain. Activity also helps to stretch stiff and tense muscles, ligaments and joints, which can lessen pain.
It’s natural to be hesitant if exercise is painful and you’re worried about doing more damage. But if you become more active gradually, it's unlikely you will cause any damage or harm. The pain you feel when you start gentle exercise is because the muscles and joints are getting fitter.
In the long term, the benefits of exercise far outweigh any increase in pain. Also, if you avoid exercise completely, the lack of activity could lead to other problems like stiff joints, weight gain, heart disease, osteoporosis, poor balance and falls.

2. Breathe right. Concentrating on your breathing when you’re in pain can help. When the pain is intense it’s very easy to start taking shallow, rapid breaths which can make you feel dizzy, anxious or panicked. Instead, breathe slowly and deeply. This will help you to feel more in control of the situation and will keep you relaxed and prevent any muscle tension or anxiety from worsening your pain.

3. Read books and leaflets. The Pain Toolkit is a free NHS-endorsed booklet packed with simple practical advice on how to live better with long-term pain. Download the booklet (PDF) or order a copy by telephoning 0300 123 100.  Quote 403298/Pain Toolkit.
You can also download and print out a free 2012 paintoolkit calendar packed with simple reminders or day-to-day pain management.
There is also a list of suggested self-help books and leaflets on The British Pain Society's website.

4. Stay positive. Pain can make you tired, anxious, depressed and grumpy. This can make the pain even worse, making you fall into a downward spiral. Be more kind to yourself. Living with pain isn’t easy and you can be your own worst enemy by being stubborn, not pacing your activities every day and not accepting your limitations. Some people find it useful to seek help from a counsellor, psychologist or hypnotherapist to discover how to deal with their emotions in relation to their pain. Ask your GP for advice and a referral, or read this article on getting access to counselling.

5. Distract yourself. Shift your attention onto something else so the pain isn’t the only thing on your mind. Get stuck into an activity that you enjoy or find stimulating. Many hobbies, like photography, sewing or knitting, are possible even when your mobility is restricted.

6. Share your story. It can help to talk to someone else who has experienced similar pain themselves and understands what you’re going through. Pain Concern, Action on Pain, Arthritis Care and BackCare all have telephone helplines manned by people with long-term pain, who can put you in touch with local patient support groups. The healthtalkonline and youthhealthtalk websites let you watch or listen to videos of other people’s experiences of pain.

7. Get some sleep. "Many people with chronic pain dread going to bed as that's when the pain is worst," says Heather Wallace from Pain Concern. But it’s important to try to stick to a normal sleep routine so you've got the best chance of sleeping through the night. Also, "sleep deprivation can worsen pain", says Heather. Go to bed at the same time each evening, and get up at a regular time in the morning and avoid taking naps in the day. If sleep problems persist, see your GP.

8. Take a course. The Expert Patients Programme (EPP) is a free NHS-based training programme for people who live with long-term chronic conditions such as arthritis to develop new skills to manage their condition (and any related pain) better on a day-to-day basis. Many people who have been on an EPP course say they take fewer painkillers afterwards. For further details, including how to find your nearest programme, visit www.expertpatients.co.uk. 

9. Socialise. Don’t let pain mean that you lose contact with people. Keeping in touch with friends and family is good for your health and can help you feel much better. Try shorter visits, maybe more often, and if you can’t get out to visit people, phone a friend, invite a family member round for a coffee or have a chat with your neighbour. Aim to talk about anything other than your pain, even if other people want to talk about it.

10. Relax. Practising relaxation techniques regularly can help to reduce persistent pain. There are many types of relaxation techniques, varying from breathing exercises to types of meditation. Ask your GP for advice in the first instance. There may be classes available locally or at your local hospital’s pain clinic. For more information, read this article on relaxation tips.

Taking Action to Reduce Back Pain

The song, “My ankle bone is connected to my knee bone,’ comes to mind each time I write articles on back pain. Now I know why. Each bone within the structures of the skeletal muscles plays a vital part in our health. If any of these bones, muscles, tendons, etc are disturbed it can lead to serious back problems. Back problems include slipped herniated disks, broken back, fractures, and so on. Each condition is caused from a string of actions, activities, incorrect movement, overexertion, etc, which exceptions include disease.

Back pain is complex, since various aspects of the human makeup creates such pain. For instance, connective tissues can lead to serious back pain, quicker than bursa bruising. The baffling mechanisms behind back pain has lead scores of doctors off shore, since many struggle to see that the central nervous system alongside the spinal columns play a vital part in back pain creation.

According to statistics over a million people on a daily ricketier scale suffers either minor or severe back pain. About ½ or more of these people could have prevented back pain, and found relief without seeking medical treatment. The other half of this unstable, million scale may endure back pain for their course of their life, since they fail to use practicality in resolving the problem.

In some cases, such as a 1/3 of the ricketier scale of people, surgery is performed to correct the problems. Surgery often leads to major complications, including severe back pain. Go figure, yet surgical procedures are unhealthy and its history has proven this notion. Even if you damage a shoulder ligament or tendon, you can take measures to avert surgery and relieve your pain.

Did you know that loosing weight could reduce back pain? Obesity is spreading throughout the world and in every corner, thus adding pressure to the muscles, which lead to back pain. “Oh my feet are killing me,’ which is commonly heard. What this person fails to realize is that he/she may be overweight, wearing the wrong shoes, and overexerting the bearing joints. We can stop this pain in its track by wearing correct shoes, loosing weight, and remove excessive weight from the weight-bearing joints and muscles. The problem is more and more people are gaining weight, since our FDA has allowed additives in to meats, which promote cravings. Practicality tells us that organics is the way to stop FDA and meat manufacturers in their tracks, as well as stopping obesity to a large grade.

In view of the fact, you can graduate my dear “Sir Watson,” from elementary and move up to college.

How to relieve pain from slipped herniated disks?

You can choose the right way or the wrong way to relieve herniated disk damage. The wrong way can include alcoholism and drugs, which lead to bigger problems.

Ultimately, you can ignore the problem, continue adding weight and pressure to the area, and finally spend the rest of your life, lying down. On the other hand, you can learn how to lean and bend correctly, curl to relieve pain, loose weight (If applicable), wear correct fitting shoes, and so forth.

Did you know that curling up in a proper fetal position can reduce pain and agony at the back caused from herniated slipped disks? Well, get on your side and curl those knees up to your chest so you can find out for yourself. When you finish, let me know how you feel. When curling into a fetal position, place a cushion or pillow amid your knees and avoid folding tightly. Do not elevate the hips.

Back Pain And Keeping Trim

Excess weight can pull the spine out of alignment and cause a back injury, so it's important to keep your weight down. Aerobic exercises such as cycling, walking and running can help you lose the excess pounds. However, keep in mind that some popular sports, such as golf and tennis, can actually injure your back if not done properly.

It's also important to maintain a healthy diet that's high in fruits, grains and vegetables. In addition to causing weight gain, a poor diet can also make your back weaker and more susceptible to injury.

Relaxation Tips

Relaxation can help to relieve the symptoms of stress. It can help you calm down and take a step back from a stressful situation,and I've found that it can also be beneficial when dealing with backpain.
Although the cause of the anxiety won’t disappear, you will probably feel more able to deal with it once you've released the tension in your body and cleared your thoughts.

All relaxation techniques combine breathing more deeply with relaxing the muscles.
Don't worry if you find it difficult to relax at first. It's a skill that needs to be learned and it will come with practice.
Yoga and tai chi are both good ways to improve breathing and relaxation

Relaxed Breathing

Practise deep breathing at a regular time and in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Loosen or remove any tight clothes, such as shoes or jackets. Be completely comfortable.
Sit in a comfy chair which supports your head or lie on the floor or bed. Place your arms on the chair arms, or flat on the floor or bed, a little bit away from the side of your body with the palms up. If you’re lying down, stretch out your legs, keeping them hip-width apart or slightly wider. If you’re sitting in a chair, don’t cross your legs.
Good relaxation always starts with focusing on your breathing. The way to do it is to breathe in and out slowly and in a regular rhythm as this will help you to calm down.

• Fill up the whole of your lungs with air, without forcing. Imagine you're filling up a bottle, so that your lungs fill from the bottom.
• Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Breathe in slowly and regularly counting from one to five (don’t worry if you can’t reach five at first).
• Then let the breath escape slowly, counting from one to five.
• Keep doing this until you feel calm. Breathe without pausing or holding your breath.
• Practise this relaxed breathing for three to five minutes, two to three times a day (or whenever you feel stressed).

Deep Muscle Relaxation

This technique takes around 20 minutes. It stretches different muscles in turn and then relaxes them, to release tension from the body and relax your mind.
Find a warm, quiet place with no distractions. Get completely comfortable, either sitting or lying down. Close your eyes and begin by focusing on your breathing; breathing slowly and deeply, as described above.
If you have pain in certain muscles, or if there are muscles that you find it difficult to focus on, spend more time on relaxing other parts.
You may want to play some soothing music to help relaxation. As with all relaxation techniques, deep muscle relaxation will require a bit of practice before you start feeling its benefits.
For each exercise, hold the stretch for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat it a couple of times. It’s useful to keep to the same order as you work through the muscle groups:

• Face: push the eyebrows together, as though frowning, then release.
• Neck: gently tilt the head forwards, pushing chin down towards chest, then slowly lift again.
• Shoulders: pull them up towards the ears (shrug), then relax them down towards the feet.
• Chest: breathe slowly and deeply into the diaphragm (below your bottom rib) so that you're using the whole of the lungs. Then breath slowly out, allowing the belly to deflate as all the air is exhaled.
• Arms: stretch the arms away from the body, reach, then relax.
• Legs: push the toes away from the body, then pull them towards body, then relax.
• Wrists and Hands: stretch the wrist by pulling the hand up towards you, and stretch out the fingers and thumbs, then relax.

Spend some time lying quietly after your relaxation with your eyes closed. When you feel ready, stretch and get up slowly.

Back Pain Treatment

How to relieve back pain

Doctors often prescribe a variety of exercises, diets, stretch exercises, etc to relieve back pain. According to statistics, more than 200 million Americans alone suffer back pain. Some patients endure surgery, while others find ways to minimize the pain. Unfortunately, some people turn to alcohol and drugs to relieve such pain.

When pain is chronic, it makes it difficult to cope with daily duties. Most pain in the back starts at the lower region. With so much suffering, many people make a hobby out of finding relief.

Back pain mild or chronic can slow activities, mobility, and so on. While there are, many medical causes and sometimes-mysterious causes the fact is the majority of people in the world fail to maintain ROM of the joints by stretching and exercising regularly.

For this reason, back pain is the number one cause of time loss and money spent. The fact is back pain alone is one of the prime reasons that people must call in to work sick. According to statistics, the increase in back pains the total estimate of loss and medical costs soars up to $60 billion dollars annually.

Some people are lucky. That is some people mysterious experience back pain and in a few months, the pain vanishes, never returning. Lucky dogs!

While the large percentage of people soon recover naturally from back pain, another percentage makes up 100 and these people find relief by modifying their weight, adjusting sitting arrangements, and stretching.

Still, others suffer enduring back pain. Some of these people will sit inappropriately in chairs, or on couches until they lower back finally dents, forming the shape of the chair position they had sit. These people often spend a lifetime indulging in over-the-counter meds, such as analgesics. If they would get off the couch, align the back with stretch exercises and support of Chiropractors, thus the pain may disappear.

Still, other people suffer life-long back pain due to injuries, trauma, disease, and so on. The downside is these people rarely get the treatment they deserve, since it is rarely recommended by doctors. In short, doctors will often recommend over-the-counter medications, i.e. painkillers to resolve the problem. Doctors rarely tell patients to exercise, diet, etc. Sometimes you may hear, “Loose some weight,” yet the doctor will rarely tell the patient how it is done.

Painkillers work to eliminate inflammation and sometimes pain, yet what doctors fail to tell the patients is that some of these painkillers are in fact killers. In addition, painkillers do not have the same affect on all persons. For sure, some painkillers will reduce pain for some, while others may continue hurting.

This leads us to drug addictions and alcoholism, since these people need help coping with the pain, and if doctors are not offering that help, thus drugs and alcohol is the answer. We have another problem.

In view of the facts, back pain recoveries lay behind information. When a patient has an idea as to what is causing his/her pain, thus he/she can move to treatments that help them to find relief.

Fact: When a person is aware of cause, effect, only then can he take action to eliminate the cause. When a person is aware of cause, he moves to acceptance, in turn acceptance moves him to act.

How do I find the cause?

You find the cause by researching your condition. Once you begin research your eyes will open, which leads you to discuss with your doctor, treatments to eliminate your pain. Doctors prescribe medicines, recommend tests, and encourage surgeries in some instances, thus these people rarely focus on REAL HEALTH, which includes exercise.

Exercise has proven to reduce even the worst back pain. Exercise has gone as far as proven to prevent death from internal injuries. Most people would ordinary die after six months from internal injuries; however, one person stood against doctors and should them that exercise is the gatekeeper to good health.

Indicators in Back Pain

Back pain usually starts with signals or indicators. For instance, if your back hurt at one time and stopped, and later it started it again, you received your indicator at the start. In short, the first time your back started hurting is the sign. You want to pinpoint when the first pain started. Once you pinpoint the starting date, you will need to consider what inspired your back pain. For instance, did you fall? Were you in a motorized accident?

Once you find the trigger of your back pain, you want to consider the symptoms. Did you feel pain? Did you feel weak? Was your back stiff or numb?

Now you can use the indicators to discover where the pain started. Did the pain start at the lower back? Was the pain at the top area? Did the pain cause additional pain, such as around the neck? Was the pain intermittent? Did the pain consistently cause stress? Did the pain shoot to other areas of the body?

Did the pain get worse, when you walked, stood, sit, or lie down? Did the pain decrease, or did it increase?

When you first hurt your back did the pain stop, or did it frequently hurt? Did the pain cause long-term problems? Did the pain leave right away?

When you first injured your back, did the symptoms change gradually? Did the symptoms interrupt your daily duties? How did the symptoms change? How did the symptoms interrupt your daily duties?

Answering the questions can help you inform your doctor, as well as understand the cause of your condition. If you were in an accident and sought medical support when you first damaged your spine, you may want to consider what tests were used to spot your condition. What did you doctor find?

If you sought medical support and your doctor recommended treatment, what was that treatment? How did the treatment help your back condition? If the treatment helped your condition, can you try the remedies now?

Is your back pain caused from surgery, joint conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, or disease?

Does your job require mandatory lifting of heavy objects? Is your job emotional stressful? Do you stand long hours? Do you sit long hours?

How are your exercise habits? Do you workout often. Do you engage in stretch exercises? What is your stress level? Do you do something active to relieve stress?

Is there a hereditary back problem in your history?

Once you ask questions related to your back condition you might want to mark points that you can mention later to your doctor. Noting the problems can help you and your doctor find the cause. Often patients fail to do this, which is why many back pain problems go unnoticed.

If your back pain has recently started again after the initial indicator, you may use treatments at home to relieve the pain, unless it is demanding. Rest is a common treatment doctor prescribes to reduce back pain. I am a fan to chiropractor support, yet some people have issues with this notion, therefore if you feel a chiropractor can benefit you, seek support. Massage and physical therapy is also recommended to reduce back pain. In many areas, massage therapists are available, which charge reasonable fees. Check your areas to learn more about massage therapy. Common stretch exercises can reduce back pain, which has emerged from tension. If you overworked the muscles, you may want to rest and do a few exercises later.

Whatever you do, avoid ignoring the indicators. Once pain starts in the back, note the area and discuss the problem with your doctor.

Preventing Back Pain In Children

Preventing Back Pain In Children

Back pain in secondary school-age children has been linked to heavy schoolbags and ill-fitting classroom seating. Nearly half of all teenagers in the UK have had occasional backache from poor posture, carrying overloaded bags, and leading an unhealthy lifestyle.



The best schoolbag for your child is a well-designed backpack.
This should be worn over both shoulders to balance out the weight. A heavy satchel or shoulder bag can put stress on your child's spine.

Encourage your child to exercise regularly or plan joint activities, such as a walk in the countryside or a trip to a swimming pool.

Back pain is a very common condition, affecting about 80% of people at some point in their lives. A physiotherapist demonstrates some simple back stretches to help prevent aches and pains.

Back Pain: Posture Checklist

Good Posture Is Good For You

A good posture can greatly improve and prevent back problems.










Follow these simple rules.


How to stand

• Don't round your back - imagine you are being lifted by a string fixed to the top of your head
• Avoid hunching your shoulders and tensing your neck when stressed
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes - high heels put pressure on the lower back

How to sit

• Use an upright chair that supports your lower back
• Support the small of your back with a small cushion or rolled up towel
• Stand up and stretch every 20 to 30 minutes

How to lift

• Always look at alternatives to lifting - can you push or pull?
• Lift only what you can handle and get help if you need it
• Bend your knees and keep your back straight and your feet apart when lifting
• Avoid lifting and twisting at the same time
• Always lift and carry close to your body
• Bend your knees rather than your back when putting a load down

Dealing With Back Pain Out And About

When You're Shopping:

• Don't shop until you drop - take regular rests or make several short trips
• Don't overload your trolley and use a high 'tray' trolley rather than a large deep one
• Distribute your shopping evenly between both hands or hold a bag in front of you, or use a small backpack (not large or over-filled)
• Wear comfortable shoes

In The Car:

• Adjust your seat properly so your arms have a slight bent at the elbow when your hands are on the steering wheel
• Support your lower back with a small cushion or rolled up towel
• Take regular breaks on long journeys and get out of the car for a stroll and a stretch

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Dealing With Back Pain At Home

The best way to sit down is to do it without bending your back. Stand in front of the chair with one foot behind the other, almost under the chair. Bend your knees, and at the same time place your hands on the arms or seat of the chair. Lower yourself gently into the seat. A chair with arms makes this much easier.

The following can also help back health in the home:

• Make sure work surfaces are a comfortable height so you don't have to bend your back
• Use a ladder or stable chair when painting or cleaning - don't stretch too far
• Squat or kneel when cleaning the bath or reaching low shelves
• Use an upright vacuum cleaner and keep it close to your body
• Ensure easy access to each side of the bed so you don't have to stretch when making it, and kneel or squat to tuck in sheets and blankets.
• Take regular breaks from time-consuming tasks

If you have children, make sure you:

• Bend your knees to pick up a baby - don't twist
• Kneel down to talk to toddlers rather than picking them up
• Adjust the height of the cot so you don't need to bend, or choose one with drop sides
• When unloading a pram's shopping tray, always bend from the knees
• When getting into bed, sit on the edge, lower your body on to one elbow and shoulder and draw up your knees and then feet. Reverse the procedure to get out.

The wrong sleeping arrangements can put additional strain on your back. If you're experiencing back problems, you might want to try the following:

• Replace a sagging mattress
• Lie on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your bent knees
• Don't have too many pillows - they support your neck, not strain it
• When buying a bed, try any you are considering for as long as you can. Your bed should allow ease of movement but mould to the contours of your body. Don't assume a bed marked 'orthopaedic' is what you need - the word can sometimes be used as a marketing tool.

To test if a bed is giving you the correct level of support, lie on your back and slide your hand, palm down, between the small of your back and the mattress.

If you can:

• Work your hand through with some resistance, the bed support is probably about right
• Slide your hand easily through a large gap, the bed is probably too hard (or saggy)
• Hardly force your hand through at all, the bed is probably too soft

If you're in pain, the easiest way to turn in bed is to bend your knees, bringing your heels up towards your buttocks. Let your knees fall to one side and as the weight of your legs takes you over, bring through your hip and shoulder - don't twist.

Ortho Royale 4.6ft Double Mattress Orthopaedic Mattress

Life Style Adjustments

Four in five adults experience back pain at some point, but the back is so complex every person needs individual treatment options. Discover more about how your back works, what can go wrong and how you can prevent back problems.

Back Pain: Making Adjustments

Making small changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of back pain.

Back pain can be caused by many factors. Run through your daily routine and examine the amount of strain you place on your spine.Read our causes of back pain article HERE

Stress

Stress can also create muscle tension, causing a loss in flexibility that can lead to back pain. To reduce stress, try:

• Exercise
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Getting more sleep or listening to music.

If you smoke, stop. It puts you at increased risk for back problems since your blood has trouble delivering oxygen to working tissues, making your back weaker.

Making small changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of back pain.

Laptops & Backache ?

Laptops make us more mobile but they're blamed for a rise in back, neck and shoulder problems.

Almost 215,000 workers suffer from upper limb disorders (ULDs), also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI), according to the 2008/9 Labour Force Survey. The increased popularity of laptops may be adding to the problem.
Laptop computers were once used mainly by busy business people who had to work on planes or trains, but not any more.
Thanks to low prices, the rise in home working and wireless internet access, laptops are everywhere. In 2005, laptops outsold desktop computers for the first time ever.
About 8% of the workforce are teleworkers (working from other locations, using the home as a base or working from home). This figure is expected to rise.
The Health and Safety Executive’s 2006 Horizon Scanning paper reports that by 2015, 70-80% of workers could be, at least partially, working away from the office.
“I've seen many people with neck, back and shoulder problems caused by excessive laptop use,” says Tim Hutchful, a British Chiropractic Association-registered chiropractor.

Posture Advice

Bad posture is inevitable because of the way laptops are designed, says Levent Caglar, senior consultant ergonomist at the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA).
“The main problem is the keyboard being attached to the screen,” he says.
“You need the screen at arm's length but you need the keyboard near you, so you push the laptop further back, then your hands stretch out, then you hunch your shoulders.
"That creates bad posture. If I were designing a laptop, I’d do it with a detachable screen.
“The average human head weighs quite a lot. If it’s in the ideal position, balanced above the shoulders, it’s fine.
“But when you use a laptop, your ears are further forward than your shoulders. That’s like taking a weight and holding it out at arm's length.
“The load through your spine is much greater and, even worse, it’s a static load. You’re not moving. This causes neck, upper back and arm problems."
Tim says that laptops are fine when used properly. "There are plenty of ways you can make your laptop safer and more comfortable,” he says.

Laptop Use Tips

Use a separate keyboard and mouse so that the laptop can be put on a stand and the screen opened at eye level.

• Use your laptop on a stable base where there is support for your arms, and not on your lap.
• Take regular breaks. If you’re moving, there’s a lot less stress on your muscles and joints.
• Adopt good sitting posture with lower back support, and ensure that other desk equipment is within reach.
• Get into good habits before the aching starts. Neck, shoulder and back problems gradually build up over time.

When To See Your Doctor

Back pain: When To See Your Doctor

Many people with back pain never need to see their doctor. But you should feel able to call or visit your GP if you're worried about your back or feel unable to cope with the pain. As a general rule, people with back pain are advised to contact their doctor if the pain is no better after about a week.

You should certainly see your GP as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty passing urine, or if you are passing blood
• Numbness around the back passage or genitals
• Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the legs or arms
• Pain running down one or both legs
• Unsteadiness when standing

These are associated with uncommon conditions, but ones that need treatment immediately.

What can Your Doctor Do ?

What doctors can do for back pain

There's no quick fix for most back pain and your doctor is unlikely to be able to 'cure' you. However, they will be able to:

• Check you don't have a serious condition
• Discuss your posture and activity level
• If needed, help with a weight-loss programme
• Prescribe another type of painkiller
• Refer you to other health practitioners who can help
• Your doctor will probably give you a physical examination and ask you about your back pain.

Here are some probable questions your GP will ask. Think them through to make the most of your medical examination:

• When did your back pain start?
• What were you doing when it started?
• Have you had any back problems in the past?
• Where is your pain?
• What sort of pain is it - dull, piercing or shooting?
• Does it stay in the same place?
• What makes the pain better, or worse?
• Do you have any other symptoms, in your back or elsewhere?
• What does your back pain stop you doing?
• What have you been doing which might have contributed to giving yourself a bad back?
• What can you do in the future to try and keep your back healthy in the long term?
• If you're not happy with your doctor's diagnosis or if your symptoms keep coming back, go back to your GP or ask another health expert for their opinion.

Back Pain & Nutrition

Degenerative discs are a significant cause of lower back pain

Back pain and disc health 'linked' to lack of nutrients

Heavy lifting, twisting and bending can do damage to the discs in the back by reducing the flow of nutrients to the disc cells, a study says.

Disturbing the balance of nutrients in the discs can then lead to the onset of degenerative disease.

Writing in PLoS Computational Biology, Spanish experts say a normal level of physical activity helps cell nutrition.

Lower back pain, which is linked to degenerative spinal discs, could be caused by this lack of nutrients.

Previous research has shown that 80% of the active population suffers from low back pain at some point in their lives.

But little was known about the chain of events which changes normal, healthy ageing discs into degenerative discs.

Using computer models of the human disc in their study, a team of scientists from Barcelona's Institute for Bioengineering looked at the nutritional and mechanical effects of stress on the discs of the lower back.

By using the models, the researchers were able to see what happened when they changed disc height, cell density and made degenerative changes to the disc.

It would not have been possible to carry out this quality of research in a living person.

'Collapsed Sponge'

The results showed that external loads on the disc influenced the solute concentration - the amount of glucose and lactate present in the disc.

The cells need glucose but do not want too much lactate, an acid which hinders the nutrition process and can kick-start the degenerative process.

Dr Jerome Noailly, study author and expert in the biomechanics and mechanobiology group at the Institute, said the study showed that nutrients could be the key factor.

"If we know that lack of nutrition is involved in accelerating the degenerative process and the properties of a degenerative disc hinder nutrition, then this will increase cell death and the disc tissue will start to degenerate more and more.

"In order to bring back the function of the degenerated disc, we must address the nutrition problem.

"This means restoring the water content of the disc and the volume of the disc. A degenerated disc is like a collapsed sponge which needs to be restored to its normal size."

The research team says the findings could open up new areas of research in the field of disc regenerative medicine.

Dr Brian Hammond, chair of the charity BackCare, said: "We are what we eat and the spine is no exception. A balanced diet, adequate fluid intake and regular exercise are essential for a healthy back and neck.

"There is little doubt that poor diet, being immobile for long periods and bad habits like smoking contribute to spinal degeneration and the high incidence of back and neck pain in the UK."

Types Of Back Pain

Neck Pain

Neck pain refers to any pain experienced in the area from the base of the skull to the shoulders and can spread to your upper back or arms.

This can include feelings of stiffness or tightness, as well as sharp pain and, in severe cases, can reduce the movement of the neck and head. Neck pain can also cause tension headaches.

Most muscles in the body will relax completely when they are not being used, but the muscles in the neck are permanently tensed in order to support the head. Although most common in people over 50, neck pain can develop at any age as the result of excess strain on the neck. This could include slouching, sleeping in an awkward position or working at a computer for long periods of time without a break.

Neck pain can also develop as the result of an accident. Perhaps the best known is whiplash; an injury sustained as a result of the head being thrown forward and back in a car accident.

Neck pain is rarely the result of a serious injury and will often lessen after a few days. If you are suffering from neck pain, try to keep moving and maintain your normal routine as best you can. Over-the-counter painkillers may also help.


Upper And Middle Back Pain

The upper and middle back refers to the section of vertebrae, known as the thoracic vertebrae, which runs from the base of the neck to the bottom of your ribcage. This type of back pain is less common than neck or lower back pain as the bones in this area are not required to move and flex as much.

Like many other types of back pain, upper and middle back pain can range from aching and stiffness to a sharp or burning sensation. Pain in this area is often the result of pinched nerves in the spine by the ribs.

One cause of back pain in this area is poor posture. Try to keep your back as straight as possible and balance your weight evenly on both feet. When sitting, keep your shoulders rolled back and be sure to adopt suitable positions when driving, sitting or using computers.

For more advice on ways you can protect your back, see the 'preventing back pain' section of this guide.

Lower Back Pain

This is the commonest type of back pain with around 8 out of 10 people affected at some time in their lives. The lower back is defined as the area between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the legs. Symptoms range from tension and stiffness to pain and soreness.

Most people's back pain is described as non-specific, meaning it is caused by structures in the back as opposed to rare conditions such as cancer or a fracture.

The back is a delicate area of muscles, nerves, bones and joints and is continuously working hard to support the weight of the upper body. Lower back pain is often triggered by everyday activities such as bending awkwardly, lifting incorrectly, standing for long periods of time, slouching when sitting and driving for long periods without taking breaks.

The 'preventing back pain' section of this guide has advice on guarding against these common causes of back pain and includes tips on lifting correctly, sitting properly, using computers and avoiding back pain caused by driving.

Buttocks And Legs (Sciatica)

Sciatica is pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body and runs from the back of your pelvis, through your buttocks, and all the way down both legs, ending at your feet.

When something compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve, it can cause a pain that radiates out from your lower back and travels down your leg to your calf. This can be mild to very painful.

The most common cause of sciatica is a slipped disc. This occurs when one of the discs that sit between and cushion the vertebrae is ruptured. Most cases of sciatica will pass without the need for treatment. A combination of the self-help measures described in this guide such as over-the-counter painkillers, exercise and hot or cold packs can usually relieve the symptoms.

For persistent sciatica, you may be advised to try a structured exercise programme under the supervision of a physiotherapist. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to control the symptoms.

Urgent (Red Flag Symptoms)

Most cases of back pain will usually get better without medical help. However, there are a number of warning signs, known as 'red flags', which may indicate that your back pain is serious.

These red flag signs include:

·         A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100F) or above
·         Unexplained weight loss
·         Constant back pain that does not ease after lying down or resting
·         Pain that travels to your chest or that is high up in your back
·         Pain down your legs and below the knees
·         A recent trauma or injury to your back
·         Loss of bladder control
·         Inability to pass urine
·         Loss of bowel control
·         Numbness around your genitals, buttocks or back passage

If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above, contact your GP immediately. If this is not possible, you can telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

You should also seek medical advice if you are having back pain and:

·         You are under 20 or over 55 years old
·         You have taken steroids for a few months
·         You misuse drugs
·         You have or have had cancer
·         You have a weakened immune system as a result of chemotherapy treatment or a medical condition such as HIV or AIDS

Also contact your GP if your symptoms fail to improve within three days or you have persistent pain that lasts longer than six weeks.

Preventing Back Pain

To avoid back pain, you must reduce excess stresses and strains on your back and ensure that your back is strong and supple.
If you have recurring bouts of back pain, the following advice may be useful:


Lose Any Excess Weight

You can use the body mass index (BMI) healthy weight calculator to find out whether you are a healthy weight for your height.
Wear flat shoes with cushioned soles, as these can reduce the stress on your back.
Avoid sudden movements or muscle strain.
Try to reduce any stress, anxiety and tension.

Posture

How you sit, stand and lie down can have an important effect on your back. The following tips should help you maintain a good posture.

Standing

Stand upright, with your head facing forward and your back straight. Balance your weight evenly on both feet and keep your legs straight.

Sitting

You should be able sit upright with support in the small of your back. Your knees and hips should be level and your feet should be flat on the floor (use a footstool if necessary). Some people find it useful to use a small cushion or rolled-up towel to support the small of the back.

If you use a keyboard, make sure that your forearms are horizontal and your elbows are at right angles.

Driving

Make sure that your lower back is properly supported. Correctly positioning your wing mirrors will prevent you from having to twist around. Foot controls should be squarely in front of your feet. If driving long distances, take regular breaks so that you can stretch your legs.

Sleeping

Your mattress should be firm enough to support your body while supporting the weight of your shoulders and buttocks, keeping your spine straight. If your mattress is too soft, place a firm board – ideally 2cm thick – on top of the base of your bed and under the mattress. Support your head with a pillow, but make sure that your neck is not forced up at a steep angle.

Exercise

Exercise is both an excellent way of preventing back pain and reducing any back pain you might have. However, if you have chronic back pain (back pain that has lasted more than three months), consult your GP before starting any exercise programme.
Exercises, such as walking or swimming, strengthen the muscles that support your back without putting any strain on it or subjecting it to a sudden jolt.
Activities such as yoga or pilates can improve the flexibility and the strength of your back muscles. It is important that you carry out these activities under the guidance of a properly qualified instructor.
There are also a number of simple exercises you can do in your own home to help prevent or relieve back pain.

Wall Slides: stand with your back against a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Slide down into a crouch so that your knees are bent to about 90 degrees. Count to five, then slide back up the wall. Repeat five times.

Leg Raises: lie flat on your back on the floor. Lift each heel in turn just off the floor while keeping your legs straight. Repeat five times.

Bottom Lifts: lie flat on your back on the floor. Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor. Then lift your bottom in the air by tightening your stomach muscles while keeping your back straight. Repeat five times.

At first, do these exercises once or twice a day, then gradually increase to six times a day, as your back allows.
These exercises are also useful for 'warming up' your back. Many people injure their back when doing everyday chores at home or work, such as lifting, gardening or using a vacuum cleaner. 'Warming up' your back before you start these chores can help to prevent injury.

Read Here for more information and advice about Exercises for back pain.


Lifting And Handling

One of the biggest causes of back injury, especially at work, is lifting or handling objects incorrectly. Learning and following the correct method for lifting and handling objects can help to prevent back pain.
Think before you lift: can you manage the lift? Are there any handling aids you can use? Where is the load going?

Start In A Good Position: your feet should be apart, with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance. When lifting, let your legs take the strain – bend your back, knees and hips slightly, but do not stoop or squat.
Tighten your stomach muscles to pull your pelvis in.
Do not straighten your legs before lifting as you may strain your back on the way up.

Keep the load close to your waist: keep the load as close to your body for as long as possible with the heaviest end nearest to you.

Avoid twisting your back or leaning sideways, especially when your back is bent. Your shoulders should be level and facing in the same direction as your hips. Turning by moving your feet is better than lifting and twisting at the same time.

Keep Your Head Up: once you have the load secure, look ahead, not down at the load.
Know your limits: there is a big difference between what you can lift and what you can safely lift. If in doubt, get help.

Push Rather Than Pull: if you have to move a heavy object across the floor, it is better to push it rather than pull it.

Distribute The Weight Evenly: if you are carrying shopping bags or luggage, try to distribute the weight evenly on both sides of your body.

Lifting Safely

Think Before You Lift!

One of the biggest causes of back injury, especially at work, is lifting or handling objects incorrectly. Learning and following the correct method for lifting and handling objects can help to prevent back pain.
Here are some key points to lift safely:

• Think before you lift.
• Start in a good position.
• Keep the load close to your waist.
• Keep your back as straight as possible.
• Avoid twisting your back or leaning sideways.
• Keep your head up.
• Know your limits.
• Push heavy objects, don't pull them.
• Distribute the weight evenly.

Check out these safe lifting and handling tips, recommended by the Health and Safety Executive.

Think before you lift 

Plan the lift. Where is the load going to be placed? Use appropriate handling aids where possible. Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions, such as discarded wrapping materials. For long lifts, such as from floor to shoulder height, consider resting the load mid-way on a table or bench to change grip.

Keep the load close to the waist

Keep the load close to the waist for as long as possible while lifting. The distance of the load from the spine at waist height is an important factor in the overall load on the spine and back muscles. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body. If closely approaching the load isn't possible, try to slide it towards the body before trying to lift it.

Adopt a stable position

Your feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load if it's on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift in order to maintain a stable posture. Wearing over-tight clothing or unsuitable footwear, such as heels or flip flops, may make this difficult.

Ensure a good hold on the load

Where possible, hug the load close to the body. This may be a better option than gripping it tightly with the hands only.

Don't bend you back

A slight bending of the back, hips and knees at the start of the lift is preferable to either fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees, i.e. fully squatting.

Don’t flex the back any further while lifting. 

This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.

Don't twist

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways especially while the back is bent. Keep your shoulders level and facing the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving your feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.

Keep your head up 

Keep your head up when handling the load. Look ahead, not down at the load once it has been held securely.

Move smoothly 

Don't jerk or snatch the load as this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.

Know your limits

Don’t lift or handle more than you can easily manage. There's a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift. If you're in doubt, seek advice or get help.

Lower down, then adjust

Put the load down and then adjust. If you need to position the load precisely, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.

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