I first researched this for my own reference. I often take my mom to her doctor's appointments, and it helps to understand the terms that come up. If you're shopping for someone with a bad back, a little background goes a long way, too.
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints there is: most adults will have it at some point in their lives. For some it's a nagging ache; for others it's sharp enough to stop them in their tracks. Here's a plain-language look at what causes it, how to help prevent it, and the treatments people commonly use.
Get medical help promptly if back pain comes with fever or chills, severe abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new bladder or bowel problems, or leg weakness, or if it follows a fall or injury. These can signal a serious condition.
We're gift-givers and researchers, not doctors. This is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional advice.
Cause #1: muscle and ligament strain
The most common cause of back pain by far is a strain of the muscles, ligaments and tendons that support the spine. Doctors may call it "musculoskeletal" or "mechanical" back pain. It can come on:
- Suddenly, after lifting something heavy, a fall, or an awkward twist
- Gradually, from repeating the same movement or holding the same posture for hours, especially sitting or standing in a poor position
Strains are more common in people who don't get much exercise. Strong, flexible muscles in the back, hips, legs and stomach all help support the spine. Carrying extra body weight also adds strain. The encouraging news is that most strain-related back pain improves within a few weeks.
Looking for comforting gifts for this kind of pain? See our gifts for people with back pain.
Cause #2: conditions of the spine
Many other conditions can cause back pain, especially as we get older:
- Arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can all affect the joints of the spine.
- Herniated (slipped or ruptured) disc. The tough outer layer of a spinal disc tears and the soft center bulges out, irritating nearby nerves. It's a common cause of sciatica, pain that shoots down the leg.
- Degenerative disc disease. The discs between the vertebrae naturally thin and dry out with age, which can cause pain for some people.
- Spinal stenosis. Narrowing of the spinal canal, often from bone spurs and arthritis, which squeezes the nerves and can cause pain, numbness or weakness in the legs.
- Spondylolisthesis. One vertebra slips forward over the one below, which can pinch nerves and cause low back and leg pain.
- Vertebral fractures, from an injury, or from osteoporosis, which makes bones fragile.
Pain can also come from places other than the spine, such as the kidneys, which is another reason to see a doctor about pain that's unusual or persistent.
How to help prevent back pain
Common ways to relieve back pain
For everyday back pain, most people use a combination of the following:
Stay gently active
For short-term back pain, normal activity within comfort tends to help recovery more than bed rest. For long-lasting back pain, a regular exercise program is one of the best-supported treatments. A physical therapist can design one that suits the person's condition.
Heat and cold
Heat relaxes tight muscles and eases stiffness by increasing blood flow to the area. Cold can help calm pain and swelling, often in the first day or two after an injury. Some people alternate. Keep sessions to about 15 to 20 minutes, always with a cloth layer between the pack and skin, and don't fall asleep on a heating pad.
1. Extra-Large Electric Heating Pad
A big, soft pad that covers the whole lower back or both shoulders at once, with several heat settings and an auto shut-off.
Why it helps: Gentle heat relaxes tight muscles and eases stiffness. The auto shut-off means they can doze off without worrying.
Check price on AmazonSupport while sitting and sleeping
2. Memory Foam Lumbar Support Pillow
A contoured cushion that straps to an office chair, car seat or sofa to fill the gap behind the lower back.
Why it helps: Supporting the natural curve of the lower spine stops the slump that strains back muscles over a long day of sitting.
Check price on Amazon3. Orthopedic Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers
An hourglass-shaped memory foam pillow that sits between the knees when sleeping on your side.
Why it helps: It keeps hips, pelvis and spine lined up overnight, a small change that can make mornings much less stiff.
Check price on AmazonOver-the-counter pain relievers
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) eases pain, while anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) also reduce inflammation. They aren't right for everyone, for example people with stomach ulcers, kidney problems, heart conditions or on blood thinners, so check with a pharmacist or doctor, and follow the label. Doctors can prescribe stronger options when needed.
Hands-on and other therapies
Physical therapy, massage, and for some people chiropractic care or acupuncture, can all help. For persistent or severe pain, a doctor may suggest injections or, rarely, surgery.