Back pain occurs in many people, young and old, athletic and sedentary. In fact, you’ve most likely experienced it yourself. Many studies have pointed to the fact that back pain is one of the most commonly reported injuries in the United States. Those who have experienced the inconvenience of muscle pain in the back know all too well the disruption it can cause in your life. Even minor pain can keep you from participating in everyday events like athletic gatherings or even playing with your own children.
Just as there have been many reported cases, there are also several noted causes of muscle pain in the back. One major cause that should be dealt with is stress. You’ve probably heard the phrase “it felt like a weight off my shoulders.” This expression implies that stress is literally “carried” in the shoulders, which might as well be true. When you’re stressed, the muscles in your neck and back get tense, and if you don’t make a conscious effort to reduce or relieve this tension, it can have great effects on you physically. If you’ve found yourself carrying stress in your neck and back muscles, you can use several techniques to relieve this tension. A great way to avoid the tension in the first place is to make sure you stretch. Stretching in the morning before work is a great way to awaken muscles by increasing blood circulation, as well as a way to relieve any tension you might have left from previous ways. If you can’t stretch at your desk, it is advised to take a walking break every hour (even if for a few minutes). This will also relieve mental stress as it allows you to clear your mind and refocus. Therapeutic massage can also relieve this pressure once it’s build up.
Another common cause of back muscle pain is poor posture. Many of us weren’t taught proper posture to begin with, but when you add long workdays of sitting at the same desk to the stress that naturally comes with working long hours, the physical results are often painful. To avoid this, make sure you take the walking breaks mentioned above, and when you return to your desk make sure you start off your next chunk of work time sitting straight up, with your gaze focused straight ahead.
The symptoms and treatments mentioned above are primarily geared towards minor back pain. Another form of pain in the back muscles is acute pain. This is pain that is severe and comes on suddenly, usually as a result of a physical injury. While these types of pain are not usually caused by muscular issues, it is important to be aware of them so you will know when to seek medical assistance. Some causes of acute pain are sprains and fractures to the spine, herniated disks, and whiplash.
If you are having trouble getting rid of pain in your back muscles, back pain machines or anti-inflammatory medications or injections may help. Injections can also help determine the true source of pain so you can treat it properly. In any case, if you have pain that persists for longer than a month, you should contact your physician for further consultation.
