Pain is a problem that many of us have to experience in our life. In some cases, pain may be beneficial, such as the pain we feel when we touch something hot that lets us know to take our hand away. On the other hand, there are certain types of chronic pain that can affect our quality of life in ways that those who don’t suffer can’t even imagine. That is the case with those who suffer from back or sciatic nerve pain.
A problem with this type of back pain is not uncommon. In fact, about 10% of the population suffers from this type of pain and it is the top reason why people miss work. The problem can occur in anyone but it tends to take place more in those who live in the United States. In fact, eight out of 10 Americans are said to struggle with back pain and it is an issue that is closely associated with much of the painkiller addiction we hear about on the news.
Most people who suffer from chronic lower back pain don’t realize that sitting too long, standing too long or lifting things improperly could lead to the issue. They typically only learn about those possibilities after they have the pain.
Many doctors will prescribe an opiate drug as the first line of pain treatment. Those doctors may not let you know about exercise for back pain, leading you to believe that medication may be the only option available.
What causes back pain?
Back pain is often triggered by something specific. Understanding what triggers the pain can help you to avoid the problem but in some cases, those triggers may be misidentified. According to research, two-thirds of patients who suffer from lower back pain feel that there is a specific issue that caused the back pain, such as lifting a heavy load.
What you may not realize is that lower back pain may have been triggered before the discomfort occurs. There actually may be a number of triggers that could include everything from sex and alcohol consumption to distractions during physical tasks.
You may also find that sports injuries and accidents are a common cause of chronic back pain. Along with those common problems are poor posture, inactivity, stress, and obesity. All of those issues could increase your risk of back pain.
It is not only about knowing what causes your pain but it is also about understanding how to avoid it from coming back again. You also need to know what to do when the pain strikes.
One of the options is to use a tennis ball. This video will show you how to relieve sciatic nerve pain:
