Low Back Pain
If you have had lower Back Pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention or miss work, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It can impact people of all ages, including school-age children, and can significantly disrupt daily activities and quality of life.
Lower back pain can vary in intensity, ranging from a dull, constant ache to sudden, sharp, or shooting pain. It may occur suddenly due to an injury, such as a fall or lifting something heavy, or it can gradually develop over time, particularly as we age. Factors like poor posture, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of developing lower back pain. Additionally, a lack of regular exercise followed by sudden, strenuous activity can strain the muscles and ligaments in the lower back, leading to discomfort.
There are two types of back pain:
- Acute back pain is short-term and typically lasts from a few days to a few weeks. It often resolves on its own with rest, over-the-counter pain relief, and physical therapy.
- Chronic back pain persists for 12 weeks or longer, even after the initial injury or cause of acute pain has healed. Chronic pain may result from conditions such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, or herniated discs. In some cases, the cause of chronic pain may be unclear, making it more challenging to treat.
If not managed properly, lower back pain can become debilitating. Proper stretching, strengthening exercises, good posture, and ergonomic adjustments can help prevent and alleviate back pain, and seeking medical care for persistent or severe cases is crucial to prevent long-term issues.
