It is perhaps with numbing inevitability that the majority of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. In a recent study it was estimated that 80% of Americans had at some point suffered with back pain and 25% had experienced it within the last 3 months. The cost to the American economy is vast – an estimated $200 billion annually – the majority of which being through lost productivity and wages. However the good news is that 90% of people who experience back pain are able to manage and eradicate the pain through non-surgical back pain remedies. Discover the causes of back pain, plus natural remedies for back pain relief. Find out how to sleep with back pain and the best sleeping positions for recovery.
Causes of Back Pain
Upper back pain can be as common as lower back pain & sciatica. Ultimately the location of the pain site will be due to the underlying cause. Some common causes of back pain are:
- Over-activity – over extending or straining the muscles and ligament fibers in the back is one of the most common causes of back pain. This can be caused by lifting a heavy object incorrectly or simply by over reaching for an object.
- Disk injury – spinal disks can be damaged in a number of ways. Disk tears can occur to the outer part of the disk whereas herniated disks occur when the disk slips or moves. Disk degeneration occurs when the disks collapse onto and rub against each other.
- Scoliosis – this spinal deformity is sometimes referred to as curvature of the spine and can cause pressure on nerves.
- Degenerative Spondylolisthesis – this occurs when the spine is not held in the correct position and can press on the spinal nerve.
- Other causes – these may include cancer, vascular or arterial disease.
Back Pain Risk Factors
The causes of back pain are as widely varied as the types of back pain. However there are some common risk factors that may determine whether a person is likely to suffer or not:
- Age – as we get older there has simply been more wear and tear on our spine and supporting structures.
- Smoking - studies show that there is an increase in the percentage of people who report problems with their back in smokers compared to non-smokers.
- Pregnancy/Obesity – the heavier we are the more weight our skeletal frame needs to carry and therefore the greater level of stress in is under.
- Sedentary lifestyle – the increase in labor saving devices and office based work means that we are less active and often hunched over computers leading to greater pressure but on the upper back and neck.
Back Pain Treatment Options
The treatment options depend very much as to the cause and location of the pain. If the pain is severe or has been present for a significant amount of time then medical intervention should be sought. Possible medical treatment options include:
- Pain medication – the medication that is prescribed by your physician will be influenced by the severity of the pain and also the type of pain. Common prescriptions for back pain include:
Anti-inflammatories – these are prescribed when inflammation is at the root of the pain and can be mild over the counter analgesics such as ibuprofen and Naproxen, or prescription only ones such as Celecoxib.
Corticosteroids – these drugs also are used to target inflammation and can be taken orally or via injection. Medrol is a commonly used example.
Muscle Relaxants – if back pain is due to spasms then medications such as Baclofen are useful.
Opiods or Narcotics – these are often used for persistent back pain or after surgery and act on receptors in the brain to provide relief from the pain. They include drugs such as Vicodin and Morphine which need careful management from your doctor.
Epidural and nerve block injections – these are administered into the nerve that is causing the pain and act as a ‘block’ so that the pain cannot be felt. - Chiropractic and Spinal manipulation therapies – this involves qualified practitioners manipulating the spine and surrounding tissues in order to re-align the spine and reduce spasms.
- Traction – a series of weights and pulleys are used to ‘pull’ the spine back into place.
- Surgery – for some spinal conditions surgery is the only option.
Natural back pain remedies at home
For the vast majority of people that suffer with back pain a combination of using over the counter medications together with back pain home remedies can greatly ease the condition. Such remedies may include:
- Hot and cold therapy – using a combination of very cold treatment (such as ice packs or cold showers) interspersed with heat treatment (heat packs) has the effect of treating both the pain and relaxing muscles in the back.
- Staying active – even when experiencing pain it is important to try to keep moving and exercising the spine and associated muscles. Bed rest should be kept to a minimum as this could cause more problems in the long term.
- Strengthening exercises – exercises designed to strengthen back muscles can help to keep the spine properly aligned and prevent over stretching.
- Supportive bedding – a poor quality mattress or pillow can create or at the very least exacerbate back pain, yet can be one of the simplest changes to make with fast acting results. The mattress should be supportive yet not over firm and a single pillow used so that the neck is not bend out of position. For people who prefer to sleep in an elevated position, the use of a wedge pillow is recommended as it keeps the spine aligned in the correct position whilst providing the comfort and support needed for a painful upper or middle back. If lower back pain is an issue then sleeping in a gravity neutral position is of great benefit. Achieve this through using two wedge pillows, one under your head and shoulders and another with your knees hooked over the ‘ridge’ and your legs resting on the down slope. Sleeping in this position takes all pressure off your back, hips and legs.
At Zenesse Health we have patented therapeutic support wedge pillows designed for just this purpose. The Cozilift is ideal for people who suffer from any type of back, hip or leg pain. It is made from a superior quality foam which gives great support to the torso while the egg crate 2” gel infused memory foam cushions to your body providing comforting support. This allows for superior air flow around the body and so prevents the heat generation usually associated with memory foam. The CoziLift will provide the elevation required to help reduce skeletal pain, is multi-purpose and can also be used as a bed sitting pillow or as a leg elevation pillow. Search for Zenesse Health to find this top rated wedge pillow on Amazon.
