Understanding Back Pain: How Serious Is Your Condition?

Most individuals have been affected by back pain at some point during their lives. Sometimes the pain feels mild. Other times, the pain feels debilitating. When you are used to feeling striking pain throughout your spine, how will you ever be able to tell when this pain suggests a severe problem? Spine Solutions is here to share common symptoms and remedies to keep in mind if back pain is a constant in your life.

Symptoms of Specific Back Pain

• Pain after physical trauma: Typically, a standard physical injury involving the spine will evoke vertebral fractures or breakage. Even minor injuries can cause harm to the spine if the victim is osteoporotic. The victim will feel localized pain and will have to see a specialist for analysis and treatment.
• Fever or chills: Back pain is often perceived as a condition unique from traditional illnesses; however, fever or chills coupled with back pain may be symptoms of a spinal infection.
• Abdominal discomfort: Continuous abdominal discomfort coupled with back pain can be symptoms of serious issues like ulcers, kidney stones, gall stones, or kidney infections.
• Consistent, mild back pain: Mild back pain is most often a symptom of poor spinal care. Impaired posture, aggressive weightlifting, strain on the spine, dehydration, and mediocre eating habits can all affect general spine health.

If you are experiencing back pain coupled with other extreme symptoms, like unplanned weight loss, blood in the stool, loss of bladder control, numbness, etc., please consult your doctor immediately.

Remedies for General Back Pain

Consult your doctor for initial recommendations regarding any spine treatment. That being said, these common remedies can be performed in addition to prescribed treatment.

• Release endorphins: Endorphins are released when we get our blood pumping. Meditation, massage therapy, breathing deeply, and acupuncture are solid methods to release endorphins if back pain intensifies.
• Exercise: Adding movement to your day will reduce the amount of pressure you exert on your back. This can be done through light walks or mild exercise. Also, do not forget to stretch before and after any workout. By stretching, you will alleviate some of the aching pain.
• Apply ice and heat: Ice is a natural way to reduce pain and inflammation. It should be used for short periods of time, multiple times a day. Heat circulates blood in affected areas. Low levels of heat can be applied in a hot bath, in a hot shower, or by a heating pad or a towel.
• Maintain proper posture: Poor posture places pressure on your back and can cause degenerated discs to become more painful. To preserve your posture, try to keep shoulders relaxed, let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body, and keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.

Is your lower or upper back pain bringing you down? You may need to explore more progressive treatment. Learn more about back pain and the severity of your specific condition by calling Spine Solutions at (954) 516-1187. Our team of professionals has the knowledge and resources to properly care for your spine.