Back Pain

Back pain is very common and normally improves within a few weeks or months.

Pain in the lower back (lumbago) is particularly common, although it can be felt anywhere along the spine, from the neck down to the hips.
In most cases, the pain is not caused by anything serious and will usually get better over time. There are things you can do to help relieve it. But sometimes the pain can last a long time or keep coming back.

Causes of back pain
Often it’s not possible to identify the cause of back pain. Doctors call this non-specific back pain.
Sometimes the pain may be a result of an injury such as a sprain or strain, but often it occurs for no apparent reason. It’s very rarely caused by anything serious.
Occasionally back pain can be caused by a medical condition such as:
• A slipped (prolapsed) disc – where a disc of cartilage in the spine presses on a nearby nerve
• Sciatica – irritation of the nerve that runs from the pelvis to the feet
These conditions tend to cause additional symptoms, such as numbness, weakness or a tingling sensation, and they’re treated differently from non-specific back pain.

How to relieve back pain
The following tips may help reduce your backache and speed up your recovery:
• stay as active as possible and try to continue your daily activities – this is one of the most important things you can do, as resting for long periods is likely to make the pain worse
• try exercises and stretches for back pain; other activities such as walking, swimming, yoga, and Pilates may also be helpful
• Take anti-inflammatory painkillers as prescribed by the doctors.
• use hot or cold compression packs for short-term relief – you can buy these from your local pharmacy, or a hot water bottle or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth will work just as well

Although it can be difficult, it helps if you stay optimistic and recognize that your pain should get better, as people who manage to stay positive despite their pain tend to recover quicker.

Treatments for back pain from a specialist
A Specialist Doctor may recommend extra treatments if they do not think your pain will improve with self-help measures alone.
These may include:
• group exercise classes – where you’re taught exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your posture
• manual therapy – treatments such as manipulating the spine and massage, usually carried out by physiotherapists, chiropractors or osteopaths
• Psychological support, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – this can be a useful part of treatment if you’re struggling to cope with the pain
Some people choose to see a therapist for manual therapy without seeing a GP first. If you want to do this, you’ll usually need to pay for private treatment.
Surgery is generally only considered in the small number of cases where back pain is caused by a specific medical condition.

Preventing back pain
It’s difficult to prevent back pain, but the following tips may help reduce your risk:
• do regular back exercises and stretches – a GP or physiotherapist may be able to advise you about exercises to try
• stay active – doing a regular exercise can help keep your back strong; adults are advised to do 150 minutes of exercise a week
• avoid sitting for too long when driving or at work
• take care when lifting – read some safe lifting tips

• check your posture when sitting, using computers and watching television – find out how to sit correctly and get tips for laptop users
• ensure the mattress on your bed supports you properly
• lose weight through a combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise if you’re overweight – being overweight can increase your risk of developing back pain

Should you require additional information or would like to make an appointment with Dr. Ishrat Khan please e-mail us at westminsterclinicdubai@gmail.com

Disclaimer: All contents on this site are for general information and in no circumstances information be substituted for professional advice from the relevant healthcare professional, Writer does not take responsibility of any damage done by the misuse or use of the information.