Why it Hurts

You may have occasional back pains, which last a couple of days or you might have chronic pain. Lower back pains can be due to;

• A muscle strain.
• Bad posture or due to lifting heavy weights (even a large bucket full of water.
• Strain during sports like squash, badminton or tennis.
• Obesity (slack abdominal muscles).
• Degenerative discs, spinal disc herniations and other congenital abnormalities.

Doctor's Diagnosis

You could have pain only in your lower back or the pain could spread to your legs too.

Your doctor will first perform a clinical diagnosis where he will ask you your medical history. Once that is done, an X-ray is taken. In some cases, a CT scan or an MRI scan is done.

Be Up and About

Your treatment will usually depend on the diagnosis. Lower back pain can usually be treated by non-surgical methods.

If you have back pain, you should take bed rest. Doctors will also prescribe some medications to alleviate the pain. You can also wear traction belts. Physiotherapy and exercise is most often recommended for back pain.

Your doctor may advise spine surgery if the pain hampers your daily activities. Again, the type of surgery will depend on your condition. Surgery will involve relieving pressure on the nerves and the spinal chords. Physiotherapy and a regular exercise schedule will be continued on the sidelines.

Here are some tips to avoid back pain:

• Try not to lift anything heavy. If you have to, then squat and pick it up instead of bending.
• Exercise regularly but avoid straining your back.
• Always maintain a good posture. If you slouch, this can cause back pain. If you have to work for long hours at your chair, get one that has good back support.
• Avoid standing or bending for too long. This can strain your back a lot.
• It is very important to sleep on the right mattress. Get one that is not too firm or too soft. Use a pillow to support your neck.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can cause immense back pain. So work on shedding those extra pounds.