Back Pain

If you work in an office, odds are you’ve experienced some uncomfortable days sitting at your desk. In fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons people miss work. If you’ve experienced back pain, including muscle aches, pain that radiates through your back, shooting or stabbing pain, or just a general uncomfortable feeling, you’re not alone.

Most of the time, back pain can be treated at home with rest and proper posture. However, there are some cases where these easy fixes don’t do the trick. If your back pain falls into any of the following categories, see a doctor immediately as it could be a sign of a serious injury:

• Back pain following an injury, such as a fall
• No improvement after rest
• Spreads to your limbs
• Causes weakness
• Causes numbness or tingling in the back, arms, or legs

Causes of Back Pain

• Muscle strain from lifting heavy objects or repeated movements
• Bulging or ruptured disks
• Osteoarthritis that affects the lower back
• Spinal stenosis, a condition caused by arthritis that leads to the narrowing of the space around the spinal cord
• Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side
• Osteoporosis

Prevention Methods

Not all back pain requires surgery or physical therapy to fix. Sometimes, a few simple at-home methods can help ease your back pain immensely.

• Increase back strength through low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming. Strengthening your core will also help condition your muscles to hold the proper position.
• Stretch your back, hips, and upper legs consistently in order to decrease muscle strain.
• Maintain a healthy weight for your body type. Being overweight can put unnecessary strain on your back and legs, occasionally leading to discomfort.
• Don’t slouch! Stand and sit with proper posture and good support.

If you’re experiencing back pain that’s not going away, come to Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine to meet with a spine specialist today. Or, stop in our Urgent Care Center and skip the line at the emergency room. Contact us for more information!