If you feel back pain, it may be more difficult for you to do certain activities, such as climbing stairs and lifting heavy objects (or objects that you used to lift easily). You may also feel tingling and numbness. This can affect your daily routine and damage your quality of life.
Do you have back pain? You are not alone. Do you know that back pain (low back pain) affects 80% of the population, from one or more moments of time, during life? Although back pain is a common chronic pain syndrome, in most cases a specific diagnosis cannot be established.
Back pain is most common in middle-aged people, although younger people of both sexes can be affected. It is important to know that back pain is a symptom, not a disease in itself. This condition sometimes evolves tacitly, without being detected and treated or makes its presence felt in a severe crisis.
Back pain is acute or chronic. Acute pain occurs suddenly, is strong, but does not last long. Chronic pain consists of pain that disappears and reappears, very strong for 2-3 months.
CONTENT:
- What is the cause of back pain?
- Causes of back pain at work
- Daily activities that can cause back pain
- Specialized treatment
- Symptoms of back pain
What is the cause of back pain?
Back pain is usually caused by:
A. Muscle spasms, dislocations or tears in the muscles and ligaments. This can happen after:
- Bending, lifting or transporting heavy objects
- Sitting or driving in the wrong position
B. Upper back pain is usually caused by:
- Muscle irritation caused by muscle weakness
- Accidents and overexertion or sports injuries
Causes of back pain at work
If your professional duties involve the following tasks and they are not performed correctly, back pain may occur:
- Improper lifting, transporting, pushing or pulling
- Sitting or driving for long periods of time without a break
- Standing or bending the body for long periods
Daily activities that can cause back pain
Back pain can be triggered by daily activities at home, including:
- Uncomfortable bending
- Improper lifting, transporting, pushing or pulling
- Prolonged sitting position
- Standing or leaning for long periods of time
- Sitting or driving for long periods of time without a break
Specialized treatment
For back pain, your pharmacist may recommend treatment of your symptoms with painkillers. If you are struggling to cope with the pain or if it is persistent, then you should see a doctor.
The doctor will examine your back and ask you questions about: the moment you started to feel the pain, the location of the pain, if the pain gets worse or diminishes at certain moments and if you have had this type of pain before. Your doctor may ask for additional tests to determine the cause of the pain.
He will also advise you on how you can alleviate the pain and can recommend ways to relieve the pain (use of heat or ice; light exercises – such as walking).
Symptoms of back pain
You can feel back pain in many ways. This can range from mild pain to pain so severe that it can affect your mobility.
Back pain can be felt as muscle pain, stabbing pain or pain that spreads to your leg, reducing your flexibility or ability to move.
You may feel back pain as a tingling or burning sensation, a feeling of vague pain or a sharp pain.
Back pain can also be felt as pain or weakness in other parts of the body, including the leg, hip or sole of the foot.