Knowing the cause of your back pain

In order to treat and prevent back pain, you need to understand what type of pain you're experiencing.

Back pain can be a real pain for most. In fact, did you know that a large majority of the people who miss days from work every year do so because of back pain? And it can stem from a bunch of different causes and can often be difficult to treat. Because of this, it's important for you to know about the different types of back pain and the treatments that are available for you.

How back pain can affect a normal life

Back pain can completely change the way you're living your life. In this clip, you'll see how the life of an otherwise healthy woman was completely changed by debilitating back pain.

Video: Back Pain

What kind of pain are you having?

Below are just some of the types of back pain out there. See which ones matches what you're feeling and then schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss possible treatments.

ACUTE BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Acute back pain is typically the most common type of back pain for people. It occurs as the result of overstretching or straining the muscles in the back. Poor posture, excess body weight, a lack of exercise and pregnancy can all result in acute back pain.

Preventions and treatments: To prevent acute back pain, take the necessary steps to eliminate the risk of getting it. Exercise regularly, lift heavy items properly and take care of your body. In most cases, you should resume normal day-to-day activity with acute back pain to overcome it but don't overexert yourself. An over-the-counter pill like ibuprofen can be used to treat it, in addition to heating pads and ice. Generally, if pains persists, you should contact your physician to seek additional advice and treatment for the pain.

CHRONIC BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Unlike acute back pain, chronic back pain is persistent and those suffering with it often try to cope by learning to live with the pain. It often results from an injury or instance from some time ago that caused the initial pain. Untreated, it continues to cause discomfort in those inflicted by it.

Preventions and treatments: There are a variety of treatment options for chronic back pain, including pain management, which involves everything from electrolysis on the muscles surrounding the spine to pain medication, injections and even prolotherapy to increase blood flow around the spine. Many patients require additional treatments to completely heal the pain.

NEUROLOGICAL BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Neuro back pain is not caused by damage to the muscles surrounding the spine. Rather, it is the result of damage to the nerves and discs of the spine. Unlike other types of back pain, it usually cannot be fully treated by exercise, stretching, etc. Doctors must come up with a more proactive approach to treat it and surgery could be required to fully treat the pain.

Preventions and treatments: In order to treat neurological back pain, doctors must find the source of the pain. Then, they can typically work to stimulate the muscles around the spine to get things back in order or even use something like prolotherapy to stimulate healing in the nerves, muscle and tendons near the spine. However, surgery could be required at some point.

LOWER BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Lower back pain is often the result of putting too much strain or stress on the back through over exercise, overexertion or overuse. It is one form of acute back pain.

Preventions and treatments: To avoid lower back pain, make sure you are lifting heavy items properly. If you workout, do exercises as instructed and keep good form. Should lower back pain occur, ibuprofen will usually dull the pain until it naturally goes away. See a doctor if pain persists as it could be a sign of something more serious than just lower back pain.

UPPER BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Though not as common as lower back pain, upper back pain can result from several everyday causes. Sitting at a desk for too long, day after day, can weaken your shoulders and neck and cause upper back pain. Maintaining poor posture can cause upper back pain as well. Finally, car accidents, sports injuries and simple muscle strains can all cause it, too.

Preventions and treatments: Proper posture when sitting, especially at work, is one way to reduce upper back pain. But if you're suffering from it, you should consider visiting a chiropractor for a realignment. Also, massage therapy, acupuncture and even injections have shown positive results on those suffering with upper back pain.

AXIAL BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Have you ever gone on a long car ride or sat on a plane for several hours and suffered a sore back? This is axial back pain, the most common form of lower back pain.

Preventions and treatments: While this type of pain is not always avoidable, you can limit its effects by stretching during long trips, getting up and walking around during your work day and learning how to stretch. If it hurts persistently, see your doctor to be sure you're not suffering from something other than axial back pain.

REFERRED BACK PAIN

Symptoms and causes: Referred back pain is another form of axial back pain. However, instead of just causing pain in the lower back, it also causes pain in the buttocks, thighs and groin area. If often stems from an injury of some kind to the back.

Preventions and treatments: Like axial back pain, you will not suffer with referred pain forever, so you need to be patient when treating it. Give it a couple of days to heal on its own and use pain relief medications and hot and cold packs to dull the pain.

Using yoga for back pain

There are many different treatments and remedies for back pain. Yoga is one of them and it may be helpful for those suffering with lower back pain. However, the key is remembering to keep your mind open to all the different options available for you. Watch this video to see if yoga could potentially help heal your back pain over time.

Video: Yoga to Help with Back Pain

Getting help for your back pain now

Don't let back pain get you down. Whether you just recently started experiencing pain or you've been going through it for some time now, chances are there is a treatment that's right for you. Too many people get frustrated and give up, dooming themselves to a life filled with pain and discomfort. Take control of your life again by coming to grips with your back pain and finding a successful treatment for it. It will certainly help lift what feels like the weight of the world off your shoulders!