Low back pain is one of the oldest occupational health problems in history and one of the most common causes of work-related complaints among adults. Over 15 million people see doctors each year for back pain problems. Nearly $25 billion is spent each year to treat this problem. For this reason, the back pain relief and muscle relaxant industries are growing by leaps and bounds.
Lower back pain is a muscular and skeletal ailment that afflicts millions of people around the world. People who do a lot of manual labor have more lumbar problems than those who do not. No wonder, construction workers are often diagnosed with low back pain. If left untreated, this ailment can result in absenteeism and decreased productivity. And even worse, it could be the cause of more serious health problems.
To determine the severity of lower back pain, you may use the following parameters to see how “bad” your back is:
- Acute Low back pain last less than 6 weeks
- Sub-Acute Low back pain between 6 and 12 weeks
- Chronic Low back pain persists for more than 12 weeks
The good news is that there are a variety of treatments for back pain. Muscle relaxants can be used to ease the pain. Back pain relief is as easy as popping a pill. However, it is important to get your doctor’s advice since medications for back pain are often doctor-prescribed and cannot be bought over the counter.
These are other helpful tips, procedures and strategies on back pain relief that you may want to consider:
- Apply a cold pack to the painful area for 5-10 minutes at time
- Use an heating pad on the painful area if the pain is still there within a few days
- Protect your back. Avoid bending or sudden turning. Go on with your usual activities and try to avoid bed rest
- Get expert professional treatments
- Non-prescription Pain Medications
- Spinal Manipulation
- Get a massage
- Try acupuncture
- Traction treatments
- Biofeedback
- Back Belts and Corsets
- Injections into the back
Certainly, back pain relief goes beyond medication. Low back pain could be caused by stress or other non-physical problems. The build-up of everyday stress can make your muscles tighten up and contribute to the slow but painful tension of the back or lumbar muscles. Self-hypnosis, meditation and guided imagery are also being promoted as tools or techniques to reduce the discomforts associated with lumbar ailments. Back pain relief options can be expensive, depending on the specific technique prescribed by the therapist.
Back pain is serious enough to always consult a physician. Back pain could be a symptom of other health problems.