Back Health Information

Back pain can range from a mild, persistent ache to unbearable pain with the slightest movement. While there are many reasons for seeking back pain remedies, most episodes are associated with inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the spine.

Inflammation is the body's natural response to being injured, which explains the need for lower back pain relief. Inflammation is characterized by redness, swelling, heat and pain. When your soft tissues become inflamed, you may experience any or all of these symptoms.

Please read more about Inflammation

Eight out of 10 Americans will seek lower back pain relief at one point in their lives. In fact, pain in the middle or lower back is the leading cause of disability in people under the age of 45 and the reason for avid pursuers of back pain remedies.

At least fifteen million Americans seek medical help for lower back pain relief annually. Lower back pain relief is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost workdays and visits to the local pharmacy. Consequently, the market for lower back pain relief is significant.

Please read more about our "Non-Drug Approach to Pain Relief"

The way you stand, sit and move, reach over and pick up or carry objects all affect the well being of the back.

Living a sedentary lifestyle, being in an occupation (or having a hobby) that requires lifting, bending and/or twisting, and mismanaging stress are all risk factors for back problems. People who sit for long periods also run the risk of straining the back when rising or moving from a seated position.

Warehouse workers, long-distance drivers, cyclists (whether recreational or occupational), golfers, computer operators, nurses and gardeners/groundspeople all have more incidence of lower back disorders than the general population. Smokers are at higher risk for back problems, perhaps because smoking decreases blood circulation. This could however be due to an unhealthy lifestyle in general.

Please read "Wellness Tips for Pain Relief"

Causes of Back Pain

Weakness of the back muscles is most often caused by a sedentary lifestyle. This includes the back pain associated with stress. Back spasms also occur with strenuous activities, or if you move suddenly after holding an awkward position. It is particularly common following a twisting motion, when many cases of a "pulled back" occur. Lower back pain remedies line the shelves of supermarkets and drug stores, as the demand for lower back pain relief is common.

The intervertebral disks act as shock absorbers and are subjected to different types of stress during the process of everyday living. While this stress may not result in immediate pain, repeated injuries will add up. Bending over results in compression of the disk, and can cause it to bulge backwards towards the spinal canal and nerves. Twisting and bending together produces the greatest stress on intervertebral disks. Degeneration of the disks can give rise to chronic back pain as the muscles supporting the disks go into spasm. The degenerating disk can itself become inflamed and may cause mechanical pain, which is specifically the reason for high sales in back pain remedies.

The lower part of the back (the lumbar region) is the most vulnerable area of the back. This is largely due to the fact the lower part of the spine bears the entire weight of the upper body and is bent, twisted and flexed during everyday activities more than any other part of the spine.

The inflammatory process produces the actual back pain associated with damage to the supportive soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) and the intervertebral disks themselves. Lower back pain relief is one of the most commonly sought over the counter remedies.

Treatment For Back Pain

Treatment for back pain usually involves strengthening the back through special exercises, and adjusting your lifestyle to avoid the stressors (physical and mental) that have contributed towards the injury. In the case of persistent, debilitating back pain, prescription or over-the-counter analgesics (painkillers) for low back pain relief may be used. Muscle relaxants may also be used as back pain remedies. Surgery is considered a last resort for continuing, debilitating back pain.