Millions of Americans suffer from back pain, either for a short time or chronically. In fact, 80 percent of the population will experience lower back pain at some point during their lives, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If you have back pain, it may help to know you’re not alone—but that doesn’t help the pain go away. To determine the best way to relieve your back pain, it’s helpful to figure out what’s causing your pain.
Common Causes of Back Pain
If your back pain is acute, meaning it comes on suddenly and lasts no more than six weeks, it could be caused by a fall, muscle or ligament strain, poor posture, or by lifting something heavy. If your pain is chronic—meaning it lasts more than three months—there are several potential causes, such as a fracture, arthritis, osteoporosis, a curved spine, or bulging or ruptured disks.
As you age, particularly if you are older than 30 or 40, you’re more likely to develop back pain. Other risk factors include a lack of exercise, extra body weight, smoking, lifting items improperly (using your back instead of your legs). If you suffer from depression or anxiety, you may also be more likely to develop back pain.
How to Manage Your Back Pain
In most cases, recovering from back pain requires patience. Lie flat on your back as much as possible to rest strained or injured muscles, and use a heating pad if possible. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen to relieve the pain. And if possible, get regular physical exercise that avoids using the injured muscle or joint.
Back pain usually goes away on its own within two to four weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. To keep it from recurring, exercise regularly to increase strength and endurance in your back. Also, maintain a healthy weight, use good posture, take frequent standing breaks when sitting, and use your legs rather than your back when lifting something heavy.
If your back pain doesn’t seem to be getting better on its own within a few weeks, you may want to see a doctor. If the pain spreads down your leg or causes numbness or tingling in your legs, you should contact a doctor to see if the pain is a symptom of another medical problem. Similarly, if the pain is severe and doesn’t get better with rest, is accompanied by a fever, or causes problems with using the restroom, consult a medical professional.
Crimson Care, with multiple locations in Tuscaloosa, can provide compassionate care for your family. If you’re suffering from back pain that isn’t going away on its own, we offer 24/7 urgent care -- with wait times and prices much better than an ER!
As an urgent care facility, Crimson Care provides the highest quality of care in a timely manner. Get relief from back pain on the schedule that works for you today.
Find Relief from Back Pain with Crimson Care in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Dr. Ramesh Peramsetty -- along with his entire Crimson Care team -- is committed to making medical services convenient and accessible. The clinic offers three Tuscaloosa locations: Skyland, Veterans Memorial and McFarland. All locations offer extended weekday hours and one-stop treatment services including medical care, x-rays, lab work, and prescription dispensing. Crimson Care also offers digital access through its online patient portal. Request prescription refills, complete any necessary patient forms online, review your medical records at any time, and even pay your bill. Check us out today on our website, or give us a call today at Crimson Care Veterans: (205) 507-1100, Crimson Care Skyland: (205) 507-1119, or First Care: (205) 349-2323.