We are all vulnerable to aches and pains throughout our lives, especially back pain. It is such a common complaint amongst adults that we can almost guarantee that you have experienced it at least once in your life!

Occasional twinges or aching pains after a particularly busy day are usually not a cause for concern, but when your pain becomes chronic or starts to affect your daily life, it might indicate an emerging problem.

Our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team explains more about back pain and the symptoms to watch out for below, so check it out to learn more.

Does All Back Pain Start the Same?

Back pain can happen in many parts of the back and vary in severity from mildly annoying to downright debilitating. The good news is that many causes of back pain can be remedied at home with moderate rest and at-home care. Oftentimes, back pain originates from an injury or an accident that pulled or strained a muscle.

If you are experiencing back pain consistently at a certain time throughout your day, take in your surroundings and see what you can do to remedy the situation. Getting up from your desk and taking a quick walk can sometimes be just the trick! If you have a nagging pain that just won’t seem to go away on its own, think back to the day or two before and see if you can match an incident like a slip or trip on something.

Common Symptoms With Back Pain

• Increasing pain with lifting or bending
• Stiffness in the morning with reduced range of motion
• Pain that radiates into the lower back, legs or hips
• Numbness or weakness in legs or feet

Can I Diagnose My Own Back Pain?

Sometimes! We have all kinds of muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones in our backs, and any one of these systems can suffer from injury or inflammation from time to time. If you get hurt, chances are that you will notice the pain right away and can associate the injury with the situation immediately. If you start to develop chronic and unexplained pain that can’t be managed, it might be time to visit with a doctor or family provider.

Spinal injuries are relatively common and can result from something like a herniated or ruptured disk, or something more serious like a fractured vertebrae can cause some intensely painful symptoms. In addition, degenerative diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis become more common with age, so it is important to visit with your provider regularly for your annual checkup of your bones, muscles and joints.

Reducing Back Pain Naturally

• Exercise regularly.
• Lift weights and heavy objects with the proper form.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Keep your stress levels in check.
• Treat injuries right away to prevent chronic issues.

Can’t shake your back pain? Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Louisville today.