Learn More Precise Words To Describe Your Pain
It can be really difficult to find the language to describe physical sensations, and youll probably never find a word that seems to fit perfectly. But learning more about the different words your language has for pain can help you communicate more effectively. It can even help your doctor diagnose the cause of your pain.
Here are some words commonly used to describe pain. Make a note of which ones resonate with you:
For more resources on how to communicate what pain feels like to your doctor, check out some of the links at the bottom of this article.
Sleep On A Quality Mattress
Lower back pain sufferers usually benefit from sleeping on a medium-firm mattress. However, your preferred sleep position also should influence your mattress selection. To maintain good posture, side sleepers should select a softer mattress. Back and stomach sleepers should choose a firmer mattress. If you have lower back pain, its a good idea to avoid sleeping on your stomach altogether.
If your lower back pain doesnt improve after 4 to 6 weeks of home care using these suggestions, you should see your doctor. You also should contact your doctor right away if you have any red flags, including:
- A history of cancer or a recent infection
- A recent fall or other accident
- Extreme fatigue
- Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, sweats
- Nerve problems, such as shooting pain, numbness or tingling
- Changes in bowel or bladder function
Other options for treating lower back pain may include physical therapy, pain management with cortisone injections or, in certain cases, surgery. Although lower back surgery can be beneficial for patients who are experiencing nerve problems and injured discs, its not typically recommended for patients with other types of lower back pain.
Download the Virtua Health Guide to Back Pain, or call to request a consultation with a Virtua back pain specialist.
Sit Straight To Get Rid Of Lower Back Pain Permanently
One of the root cause of lower back pain is sitting in the wrong posture. The lower back is very vulnerable to pain caused by wrong or bad posture because it misbalances the supports of your weight. this misbalance of weight on regular basis causes chronic lower back pain. Many a times people suffering with pain are not able to move. So make sure you follow the steps given below:
- Good posture is when the spine is curved slightly concave at the lower back, slightly convex on the upper back, and slightly inward another time at the neck.
- If your shoulders tend to be curved, pull them back a bit so they are concentrated in the centered.
- Dont bend your chest out and pull the shoulder back.
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Don’t Rest An Achy Back
Doctors used to prescribe bed rest for back pain. But now we know that lying still is one of the worst things you can do. It can make back pain worse and lead to other complications. Don’t rest for more than a day or two. It’s important to get up and slowly start moving again. Exercise has been found to be one of the most effective ways to relieve back pain quickly. Try swimming, walking, or yoga.
How Does It Work
Apart from helping you achieve good posture while wearing it, it also allows you to maintain it even after taking the device off! It basically develops muscle memory which causes you to stand naturally with perfect posture.
It also gets rid of back and neck pain since your body is now back to its natural posture.
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Maintain A Good Posture
A faulty posture can actually lead to spine problems. For example, prolonged sitting or slouching in front of the computer can strain the back muscles and this may lead to lower back pain . The stress of poor posture can change the anatomical characteristics of the spine. This increases the possibility of constricted blood vessels and nerves, problems with muscles, discs and joints. Having a good posture is considered one of the best methods to reduce lower back pain.
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Rub On Medicated Creams
Skin creams, salves, ointments, or patches may help when your back feels stiff, sore, and tense. Many of these products contain ingredients such as menthol, camphor, or lidocaine that can cool, heat, or numb the affected area.
Put on creams right where you hurt. Ask someone to apply it if you have trouble reaching the spot.
âIt’s not going to be a mainstay at providing significant relief, but it can calm things down,â Ray says.
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Back Surgery For Severe Back Pain Relief
Back surgery is typically recommended when other, more conservative treatments arent able to help you feel better. Back surgery can be used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spine injuries and even severe lower back pain. When its done under the right circumstances and at the right time, back surgery can be an effective long-term solution for chronic back pain.
Avoid Prolonged Static Posture
It is important to pay attention to the joints and muscles of your spine and hip. Prevent fatigue and stresses on these joints by following simple tips, such as:
- Avoid excessive sitting or consider using a standing desk while you work. When you sit for a long duration, the pressure on your spinal discs increase. Aim to get up every hour and walk a short distance to take the load off your discs.
When you have a flare-up of symptoms, consider less exertive activities, such as reading a book, listening to music, or crafting. These activities can help divert your mind from the pain and let your back rest at the same time.
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How Is Low Back Pain Diagnosed
A complete medical history and physical exam can usually identify any serious conditions that may be causing the pain. Neurologic tests can help determine the cause of pain and appropriate treatment. Imaging tests are not needed in most cases but may be ordered to rule out specific causes of pain, including tumors and spinal stenosis. Occasionally the cause of chronic lower back pain is difficult to determine even after a thorough examination.
Tests include:
Blood tests are not routinely used to diagnose the cause of back pain but might be ordered to look for signs of inflammation, infection, cancer, and/or arthritis.
Bone scans can detect and monitor an infection, fracture, or bone disorder. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and collects in the bones, particularly in areas with some abnormality. Scanner-generated images can identify specific areas of irregular bone metabolism or abnormal blood flow, as well as to measure levels of joint disease.
Discography involves injecting a contrast dye into a spinal disc thought to be causing low back pain. The fluids pressure in the disc will reproduce the persons symptoms if the disc is the cause. The dye helps to show the damaged areas on CT scans taken following the injection.
Electrodiagnostics can identify problems related to the nerves in the back and legs. The procedures include:
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Can Back Pain Be Prevented
Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics may be prevented by avoiding movements that jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly. Many work-related injuries are caused or aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, contact stress , vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture.Recommendations for keeping ones back healthy
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Back Aches And Injuries Are Common Among Older Adults But Some Simple Stretches Can Help
by Stacey Colino, AARP, March 17, 2022
Stevica Mrdja / EyeEm
Whether its chronic, acute or episodic, low back pain is a common problem among adults, causing more disability around the world than any other condition.
At least one-fourth of U.S. adults report having low back pain in the last three months, national survey data shows. And research suggests that as many as 80 percent of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, meaning if you havent had it yet and you dont have it now, theres a good chance that you will in the future especially since back pain becomes more frequent with advancing age.
Common causes of lower back pain include overuse injuries , muscle or ligament strains or sprains, trauma , degenerative discs, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis, experts say. Another prime culprit: sedentary behavior. A 2019 study in the journal Applied Ergonomics found an association between static sitting behavior and chronic low back pain among people who worked at a call center.
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The 5 Best Exercises To Get Rid Of Sciatica Pain In The Hip And Lower Back
The best exercises to get immediate relief from sciatica pain!
Sciatica pain is an intense sharp pain that runs from your lower back to your leg.
Sciatic nerve pain occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body gets pinched along its path.
Luckily, many cases of sciatica pain can be relieved and managed with a few simple exercises you can do at home.
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Fractures And Lower Back Pain
are often very difficult pain problems and indicate the possible presence of . In patients with severe osteoporosis, spinal fractures can occur with no early warning and no significant trauma the patient does not have to fall to fracture a vertebrae.
Patients with spinal compression fractures experience spasms and, often, very high pain levels.
In patients with low back pain where the cause is difficult to determine, especially for elderly patients with osteoporosis, a fracture in the sacrum may be the cause of the pain. A standard X-ray or bone scan may not show a sacral fracture. Imaging techniques such as CT scan or MRI can often reveal these fractures.
It is very important that patients with acute lumbar compression fractures be tested for osteoporosis. A bone density study is needed, unless the patient has no other osteoporosis risk factors and has had a very high impact fracture. Studies have shown that many patients with fractures in the U.S. are discharged from hospitals with no plans for management of their bone density problems, which then are left to worsen.
Although pain can be very intense, it is best for patients with lumbar fracture to resume activity as soon as possible. This is especially true for elderly patients, who can too easily become weakened, and develop other complications, if mobility is reduced for too long. may be needed for pain control, for as brief a period as possible.
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Hold Some Static Poses With The Egoscue Method
While this method of stretching is fairly new with less empirical research behind it, it encourages healing by creating movement and activity in areas of the body that are typically static. The ModernHealthMonk gives a great overview of this therapy, with some stretches to try. Its not one of the fastest ways to find lower back pain relief, but it may be one of the more simple ways.
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Bonus Tip: Consider Taking A Vitamin D3 Supplement
If your doctor agrees, consider taking a vitamin D3 supplement. Vitamin D is essential for bone, neuromuscular, and immune system function. Taking a vitamin D3 supplement can help reduce back pain by increasing the absorption of calcium in your body and improving bone strength.15
See Calcium and Vitamin D Requirements
Finding the perfect pain relief technique is usually a process of trial and error, making it worth exploring various approaches. Try these natural pain-relieving strategies for your back pain and see what works best for you. Severe pain that is not relieved by self-care must be evaluated by a health professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Low Back Pain Fact Sheet
If you have had lower back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Even school-age children can have back pain.
Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. It can begin suddenly as a result of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age. Getting too little exercise followed by a strenuous workout also can cause back pain.
There are two types of back pain:
- Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.
- Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Even if pain persists, it does not always mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment.
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Avoid Foods That Exacerbate Leg Pain From Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis leg pain can be increased due to inflammation in the joints. Therefore, foods that increase inflammation can trigger leg pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
These foods include:
Finding alternatives to these foods is not difficult. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet as much as possible is a helpful start. Be sure to concentrate on dark green and orange vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, and squash. These can provide the right nutrients to help curb the effects of osteoarthritis.
Whole grains are also important so order brown rice instead of white rice when youre out. Oatmeal, popcorn, and whole wheat pasta are also good sources. Calcium rich foods like low fat or nonfat milk and yogurt can help provide additional nutrients that your body needs. Finally, make sure that your proteins come from lean sources. Chicken, beans, and seafood are a great place to start.
Ways To Relieve Back Pain Naturally
There are a wide variety of natural remedies to soothe your back, which can help reduce the intake of medications or provide an added benefit to your existing medical treatment.
Take a look at these natural pain-relieving strategies and find out what works best for you:
Read on to learn more about effective pain-relieving strategies for chronic back pain from natural methods.
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How To Relieve Back Pain Fast
Weve got your back! The best remedies and products to get rid of back pain, fast
- 21:47, 31 Mar 2021
Back pain is a common problem that many of us will experience at some point.
Lower back pain is particularly prevalent and, with many of us working from home, its no surprise back pain is likely to strike.
According to Voltarol, 94% of people with pain feel pain in their back, and 82% of people with pain feel it in their lower back.
If its affecting your everyday life, learning how to relieve back pain fast will be high on your priority list. The back muscles and spine support much of our bodys weight, and are used for both sitting and standing.
Lower back pain can be caused by sitting in a hunched position, bending, lifting or carrying heavy items, while common causes of upper back pain overuse and sports injuries. Sitting for long periods along with slouching can also cause back pain.
From creams to heat patches and back stretchers, weve rounded up the best remedies and products to relieve back pain below. Always remember to consult your doctor if you have persistent back pain.
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Try Out Capsaicin If You Suffer From Sciatica Leg Pain
Many treatments rely on rest, hot and cold therapy, and physical therapy to reduce the pain associated with sciatica. However, capsaicin skin patches may be another treatment option for this neuropathic condition.
Derived from chili peppers, capsaicin binds itself to the nociceptors in the skin, which excite the neurons. This creates increased sensory sensitivity to itching, pricking, or burning. This is then followed by a period of reduced sensitivity. With the right amount of use, you can achieve persistent desensitization to pain in the affected area. Evidence has provided strong support for the effectiveness of capsicum over placebo in controlled trials for patients suffering from sciatica leg pain.
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