A Look At Acute Back Pain

Acute back pain happens to everyone at some point in time. When acute back pain strikes a person suddenly it is most likely the result of muscles that are strained or ligaments that have been sprained. The pain may be very severe after the injury takes place and it could worsen over the course of the hours following the incident. If treated properly, acute back pain generally goes away within a period of two to six weeks, as long as the person has no serious medical conditions underlying the injury that was sustained.

Causes of Acute Back Pain

Acute back pain can be caused by a variety of factors including:

-An accident, a fall or a sports injury
-Sleeping in a bad position or improper positioning of a pillow
-Lifting an object that is too heavy or lifting it without bending at the knees
-Sudden and strenuous physical exertion
-Sitting or standing in a bad position
-Leaning forward for a lengthy period of time
-Tensing up your shoulder in order to keep a phone receiver as close to your ear as possible
-Stress and the muscle tension that results
-Carrying a bag, purse, briefcase, etc. that is too heavy

Acute back pain can also be caused by physical conditions such as pregnancy, being overweight and a lack of adequate muscle tone.

Back Pain Treatment Options

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then you need to go see your doctor right away:

-Numbness or problems moving your arms or legs
-Loss of bladder control or any type of bodily impairment
-Chest pain or pain in your left arm
-Severe headache and/or a fever
-You are pregnant
-You are 60 years of age or older and have been taking steroids for a lengthy span of time
-After 72 hours of treating yourself at home you show no signs of improvement

If your acute back pain is not bad enough that you must go see your doctor then there are ways to help yourself at home:

-Lying down and resting is beneficial but strict bed rest can actually slow your rate of recovery. Continue to do your regular everyday activities but adopt a slower pace.
-Use hot and cold compresses (always start with cold) in order to bring relief to muscles and tissues that are swollen and sore.
-Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with your level of discomfort, swelling and stiffness. Ask your doctor which product is best for you.