Back Pain
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Back pain is
a symptom that can arise from many causes. It can range from a dull,
annoying ache to absolute agony. Many cases of back pain are caused
by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine.
Sedentary jobs and lifestyles may create a vulnerability to this
type of stress or damage. Obesity, which increases both the weight
on the spine and the pressure on the discs, is another factor.
Strenuous sports such as football and gymnastics can also damage the
back.
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Limited rest combined with appropriate exercise
and education is often the primary mode of therapy. Nonsteroidal,
anti-inflammatory drugs — alone or in combination with steroid
injections, analgesics, muscle relaxants, or anti-depressants — may
be added to the therapy program. Acute back pain often goes away by
itself in a few days or weeks. An ice bag or hot water bottle
applied to the back may also help to alleviate pain. Prolonged bed
rest is not beneficial because it weakens muscles. A physician
should be notified immediately if there is no relief from pain after
a few days in bed, if pain is severe or recurs, if radiating pain,
numbness, tingling, or weakening occurs in the arms or legs, if
bowel or bladder dysfunction occurs, if a child or elderly person
has back pain, or if fever and/or vomiting occurs with back pain.
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Recommendations for preventing initial and
recurring episodes of back pain include: regular exercise,
stretching before participation in sporting activities, quitting
smoking, losing weight, maintaining correct posture, using
comfortable, supportive seats while driving, sleeping on the side
with knees drawn up or on the back with a pillow under bent knees,
lifting by bending at the knees rather than the waist, avoiding
standing or working in any one position for too long, and reducing
emotional stress that causes muscle tension.
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Within the NINDS research programs, back pain is
addressed primarily through studies associated with general pain
research. NINDS vigorously pursues a research program seeking new
treatments for pain and nerve damage with the ultimate goal of
reversing debilitating conditions such as back pain.
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American
Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
National
Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA)
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