If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you are not alone. Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. It comes in many forms, from lower back pain to neck pain to sciatica. Back pain is not a diagnosis -- it's a symptom of an underlying condition. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months.

On the bright side, you can prevent most back pain. Simple home treatment and proper body mechanics will often heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

Conditions leading to Back Pain

Stress or injury of the back muscles, such as...

back sprain or strain

overload of the back muscles caused by obesity

A spinal tumor or cancer that has spread to the spine from elsewhere in the body

Infection, which may be in the disk, bone, abdomen, pelvis or bloodstream

Kidney stones or a kidney infection

Short term overload of the back muscles caused by lifting or pregnancy

Disease or injury, including injury to the...

back bones (vertebrae), such as a fracture (for example, after trauma or as a result of osteoporosis)

Treatment and relief from Back Pain

Once upon a time, doctors told people with low back pain to stay in bed for three days -- perhaps with a board under their mattress. That very bad advice actually made back pain worse Most people with low back pain have an acute pain episode. But up to a third of patients report persistent pain of at least moderate intensity -- chronic low back pain.

A panel of experts found evidence that different patients can get relief from a wide variety of treatments. These treatments include Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, Exercise therapy, Spinal manipulation from a chiropractor, osteopath, or physical therapist, Intensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation (physical, vocational, and behavioral therapies provided by multiple providers with different clinical backgrounds), Acupuncture, Massage therapy, Yoga, Progressive relaxation, etc.

Tense rigid muscle often impacts on nerve tissue. its a good idea to have a massage. if you find this helps then try a more long term benefit such as sports therapy massage as it is more specific to an ailment or area. when the muscle relaxes the nerve will start transmitting messages correctly.

Sports therapists use pressure technique to relax muscles. similar to acupuncture. the differences is it is a hands on approach where they seek out knots and press on them while stretching and rotating the afflicted area in its natural movements while supporting the limb or body part.

It is quite important to get rid of the problem as soon as possible. the longer it is left untreated, the greater the inflammation resulting. It is a process of tissue edema encroaching on the nerve supply. The primary cause to bring this condition about is generally attributable to postural changes. or injury. In either case, is most rapidly reduced with care by a doctor of Chiropractic.

Take a belt, draw your knees to you belly and put the belt (like a belt from a house coat) around your back and knees for about ten to 15 mins. It will blow your mind how good it feels. If you have to do it one knee at a time.

If you're on your feet, buy a better pair of shoes. If you're overweight, lose some weight - even a 10% drop in weight will help dramatically.