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What is back pain?
Most back pain is in the low back, below the ribs. In most cases, there isn't a clear cause of the pain, and this can be frustrating. But sometimes pain can be related to things in the back, such as the bones and joints, the discs between the bones, or the ligaments and muscles.
Although it may hurt a lot, back pain often gets better on its own in several weeks. Using good home treatment may help you feel better sooner.
Back Pain: Acupuncture and Massage
How can you care for back pain?
- Sit or lie in positions that are most comfortable and reduce your pain. Try one of these positions when you lie down:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and supported by pillows.
- Lie on the floor with your legs on the seat of a sofa or chair.
- Lie on your side with your knees and hips bent and a pillow between your legs.
- Lie on your stomach if it does not make pain worse.
- Do not sit up in bed, and avoid soft couches and twisted positions. Bed rest can help relieve pain at first, but it delays healing. Avoid bed rest after the first day of back pain.
- Change positions every 30 minutes. If you must sit for long periods of time, take breaks from sitting. Get up and walk around, or lie in a comfortable position.
- Try using a heating pad on a low or medium setting for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 or 3 hours. Try a warm shower in place of one session with the heating pad.
- You can also try an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Put a thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin.
- Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Take short walks several times a day. You can start with 5 to 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day, and work up to longer walks. Walk on level surfaces and avoid hills and stairs until your back is better.
- Return to work and other activities as soon as you can. Continued rest without activity is usually not good for your back.
- To prevent future back pain, do exercises to stretch and strengthen your back and stomach. Learn how to use good posture, safe lifting techniques, and proper body mechanics.
Back pain, emergency or urgent symptoms: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You are unable to move a leg at all.
- You have back pain with severe belly pain.
- You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
- Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new or worse symptoms in your arms, legs, chest, belly, or buttocks. Symptoms may include:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Weakness.
- Pain.
- You lose bladder or bowel control.
- You have back pain and:
- Your pain is severe after injuring your back during a fall or accident.
- You have had a back injury before that needed treatment.
- Your pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks.
- You have had weight loss you cannot explain.
- You have a fever.
- You have cancer now or have had it before.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you are not getting better as expected.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.