Why are Neck and Back Pain Connected
December 2, 2008 by soreback · 1 Comment
You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered why neck and back pain seem to be connected? If you are asking the question it’s probably because you or someone you know has had a stiff neck or pain in their neck and eventually has experienced pain in the back as well. Or it might be vice versa – a pain in the lower back seems to travel until the neck is stiff and sore and a person can barely move their head. Why is it that neck and back pain are seemingly connected in this way, and is there anything you can do to address one or the other, or better yet, both at the same time? Let’s take a look at this subject a bit closer.
Why Neck and Back Pain are Connected
If you think that the pain in your neck leads to back pain, or the back pain you have can travel up to your neck, you’re not imagining things. The muscles in the back are actually a big bundle of muscles that are all connected to one another, and to the muscles in the legs, shoulders, and neck. This is why neck and back pain are often connected – if you have an injury or a problem with your neck muscles this will make the back muscles work overtime to support the movement that your neck muscles would normally handle. At the same time, if you have an injury or overextension of the back muscles this means that the neck muscles are not supported the way they should be. So neck and back pain are connected because the muscles are connected and rely on one another for movement and support. Any injury or overuse in one area will cause a problem with the other.
Addressing Neck and Back Pain
When you realize how neck and back pain are connected you might immediately begin realizing how to correct or address the situation. Think about when you have a problem or overextension of your neck and be aware of the fact that your back is going to be working overtime to move your head and upper body. Make sure your posture is upright and relaxed so that the muscles are not cramped and tense. If you have neck pain but don’t notice that your back hurts, still keep it relaxed at night with a heating pad and some support under your knees. If you have back pain for any reason, be gentle with your neck and upper body when it comes to movement. While you may not always have neck and back pain at the same time, you know that one can easily lead to another if you’re not careful about your movements.
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Sometimes just being careful about neck and back pain and realizing how they’re connected can be enough to keep you from suffering both. Make sure all areas of your back are supported, from your neck to the small of the back, and you’re sure to have at least some relief.
Simple Treatments for Lower Back Pain Relief
December 1, 2008 by soreback · Leave a Comment
If you are one of those who suffer from chronic and consistent lower back pain, you’re not alone. There’s a surprisingly high number of people today that suffer from pain in their back. The lower back, since it seems to hold the most weight and be involved with the most movement, can bear the brunt of this pain. But while lower back pain can range from uncomfortable to downright debilitating, the good news is that there are many things that one can do at home quite simply and easily to get some relief from this pain.
The first thing someone needs to do in order to get relief from lower back pain is to realize how and why it typically occurs in the first place. While someone might have an actual injury or defect that is causing this pain, usually it’s how we treat our backs that causes or aggravates this pain. Most cases of lower back pain are caused by poor posture, sitting in a chair that’s very uncomfortable for many hours per day, hunching over a workstation or some other project, or using the back to lift something heavy. While you might assume that the lifting part applies to professional movers or athletes, this can include things like groceries, sporting equipment, your own furniture, and even your children. Once you realize how these common situations can cause lower back pain you can begin to realize how to fix the problem.
Click Here to Get Your Free Back Pain Relief Guide
Many dismiss the idea of improving their posture as a treatment for lower back pain but the truth is that the back muscles were designed to work in a particular way together. One of their functions is to support the upper body, and when you’re hunched over or when you slouch, these muscles are not allowed to work properly and they work overtime to keep a person upright and supported. Try to sit up straight right now and take a deep breath, and see if at least some of your lower back pain is not relieved. This can clue you in to how important it is to maintain proper posture all day long.
The environment we sit or stand in all day long can also have quite a bit to do with cases of lower back pain. Office chairs that don’t provide proper support put more pressure on the lower back since it needs to work overtime to keep the body upright and steady. Hunching forward also means added pressure on the lower back since these muscles work to keep you in place. Very often people feel the lower back pain from a bad setup at the office only when they leave so they may not even realize how poorly designed their desk and chair really are.
Correcting these situations can be the key to permanent relief from lower back pain. Keeping good posture and investing in a chair that allows you to lean back with proper support can keep those muscles from working incorrectly.
Back Pain Medications
January 2, 2008 by soreback · Comments Off
MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR CHRONIC BACK PAIN
Maybe you’ve tried everything else and are ready for some medications or are considering surgery for back pain. Your doctor is no doubt rushed and busy helping other patients and many doctors don’t take the time anyway to explain different medication options and how they work exactly, so we’re going to cover those here. We’ll also discuss the common surgeries for back problems so that you have a better understanding of what’s involved and can make an informed decision overall.
NSAIDS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce swelling in any area of the body and are often used to treat muscle spasms and irritation in the area of the back. They work by blocking proteins and enzymes in the body that cause swelling.
They are often thought to be the most effective treatment option. NSAIDs include:
- Bayer, Bufferin – aspirin
- Advil, Motrin – ibuprofen
- Aleve, Anaprox – naproxen sodium
- Lodine – etodolac
- Relafen – nabumetone
- Feldene – piroxicam
- Disalcid, Salsitab – salsalate
Common side effects
Most who take NSAIDs experience upset stomach, heartburn, ulcers, skin rashes, some swelling of the face or legs, and a decrease in the amount of urine.
EPIDURAL INJECTIONS
Women in labor often get epidural injections; this is meant to numb the area of the spinal column that is receiving the pain signals from her contractions. In the same way some who get chronic back pain find that epidural injections are helpful for their condition. The epidural numbs the area of the body where there is pain and helps the muscles to relax and loosen, and the patient to resume normal activities which in turn also help to alleviate pain.
These injections can be done by an orthopedist, an anesthesiologist, a neurologist, a physiatrist, a pain management specialist, or a rheumatologist.
Epidural injections can be expensive and need to be done properly. They can also be a bit painful themselves, but those who have them regularly report consistent relief from their back problems.
Possible side effects.
Some who are very sensitive to injections may experience swelling at the injection site. Rarely do patients experience infection, headache and fever, although these have been reported.