Backache - Low back pain, upper back pain and neck pain

2019-05-10

The spine is a complex joint composed of vertebrae, discs, muscles, tendons, cartilage, ligaments and nerves. The body demands a lot from the back: maintenance of posture, performance of movements, protection of the spinal cord.The « homo erectus » having learned how to stand upright, made the « homo sapiens » pay the price with the backache that still torments them today. The “pain of the century” as it was often described in the 20th century, is still just as much of a problem in the new millennium.

The spine, also known as the spinal column or backbone, is our body’s central pillar. One of its main roles is to guide the numerous movements that the trunk allows us to make: flexion, extension, rotation, inclination. It consists of 24 vertebrae: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar vertebrae, as well as 5 sacral vertebrae forming the sacrum and 3 to 5 vertebrae forming the coccyx. Like all joints, the vertebrae are held together by numerous ligaments and muscles. They are each separated by an intervertebral disc, which acts as a sort of cushion: it supports weight (our weight as well as the weight of anything we are carrying) and absorbs shocks associated with each movement we make.

Backache affecting the various regions

Excessive strain, an awkward movement, an impact, as well as wear and tear of the vertebrae and their surrounding structures can cause a variety of painful conditions. Each component of the spinal column can be a source of back pain:

Lower back pain

Low back pain when the lumbar vertebrae at the base of the spine are involved: lumbago, with the restricted movement it causes after lifting a heavy load, or sciatica, the pain that usually radiates all the way down to the feet;

Upper back pain

Upper back - Dorsal pain for the thoracic vertebrae in the middle of the spine: people who work leaning forwards are the most affected by pain felt between the shoulder blades;

Neck pain

Neck pain when the cervical vertebrae are affected: torticollis occurring after a bad night’s sleep or “whiplash” after an accident are well known for the acute pain they cause; but osteoarthritis of the neck, with its associated headaches, can be very uncomfortable too.

What are the solutions?

The management of backache consists above all in alleviating pain, particularly via:

the use of analgesics (painkillers),
the application of hot or cold,
temporary relative resting (it is important to maintain activities as far as possible if the pain allows it),
if necessary, support for the affected region using a collar or belt
a physiotherapy programme.

To aid recovery and prevent the persistence of pain, appropriate physiotherapy, lifestyle measures (weight and stress control, physical exercise) and the learning of postures and movements to look after the back day-to-day are recommended. Adaptations at work and in sports activities are sometimes necessary. Recourse to surgery is extremely rare.

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Show more entries from May 2019

Backache - Low back pain, upper back pain and neck pain

Backache affecting the various regions

Lower back pain

Upper back pain

Neck pain

What are the solutions?

Shop Now ☛ Back Pain Brace

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