Spinal health is important to your well-being, but most people take it for granted until they experience back pain. When your back hurts, you want to understand the source of the pain, reduce it, and keep moving and functioning in a healthy way.
Causes of Back Pain
Spinal experts at the Mayo Clinic state that back pain is often caused by muscle strain, which can be related to falls, accidents, or .jpg)
lifting something heavy. The American Chiropractic Association says that a shoulder bag (purse, laptop bag) should weigh no more than 10 percent of a man or women's body weight; high heels are also a no-no.
Another common reason for back pain is degenerative disc disease. The spinal column consists of 30 vertebrae and gel-filled discs which provide cushion, support, and make the spine flexible. The spine is also surrounded and powered by a system of muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons. As people age, the gel in a disc (the annulus) can stiffen and develop minute cracks which allow the inner nucleus to bulge and press painfully on nerves. Also, intervertebral discs flatten with age, losing shock absorbing capability and changing the shape of the facets or joints of the spine.
In addition, a painful back can result from conditions outside the spine - for instance:
- pregnancy
- kidney stones
- urinary tract infections
- fibromyalgia
- tumors (more rarely)
- osteoporosis
- obesity
What to do about back pain
We can help you understand why your back hurts. Sometimes patients need surgery, medications, physical therapy or a combination of these interventions to relieve or control pain. A physical therapist can create individualized programs of therapies and exercise to optimize spinal function and recovery after accident or surgery.
People should be proactive about spinal health by adopting these lifestyle habits:
- Exercise. Walking strengthens muscles and corrects posture. If you have a desk job, get up and move around to take strain off your back and promote circulation. Work out your abdominal muscles to create a strong core.
- Don't overexert. Don't pick up objects that are too heavy or stand for long periods of time on hard surfaces without good shoes and back support.
- When lifting, bend at the knee, and do not twist your back. Carry a heavy object close to the body.
- For muscle strains, apply cold for 48 hours. Then switch to heat. Use over the counter analgesics as needed. Rest but not too long as inactivity may cause more problems.
Back to Work Physical Therapy
The friendly staff at Back to Work Physical Therapy in Tampa, Florida work with each patient to achieve pain-free function. They have MedX spine strengthening programs and other treatment tools to help you move and perform at your best.
For more information on back pain, call Back to Work Physical therapy. For the Downtown or South Tampa offices, call 813-253-3092. For the Westchase location, call 813-926-4346.