Backache is the most common forms of pain that one suffers and about 80% of the population suffers from it at least once in their lifetime and sometimes in some people it really becomes quite chronic and a constant complaint. The feeling of discomfort in the back may take different forms and can involve any area of the back viz. back of the neck and shoulders, back of the chest, the lumbar or the sacral region. The extent of pain may remain localized to particular area of the back or may radiate to distant parts of the body far removed from the back.
The nature of pain may vary from dull nagging pain, sharp piercing pain to hot throbbing pain, etc. If it involves pressure on the nerve tissues of the spinal cord or the nerve roots, the disturbance can involve distant areas and even the vital organs controlled by these nerves. Even though in theory, this back-pain may arise due to many causes like trauma (injury due to accident), degeneration, infection, cancer etc., two causes stand out as the most common ones.
In order to correct the backache, one needs to remain alert and constantly vigilant. Even constant practice of Yoga involving controlled stretching, relaxation and regulated breathing when combined with the process of inner awareness also help in controlling the problem of backache. Through yoga one learns how to cope with any stressful situation by handling it in most appropriate way at both the psychological and bodily level.
Causes:
Spondylosis, spondylitis, spondylisthesis, slipped disc, strain, sprain, spasm, weak abdominal or back muscles, lumbago.
However, an important cause is faulty posture while sitting, standing, walking, sleeping and weight lifting.
Backache may also be due to structural changes at various levels of spine due to accidental (spinal) injury and spinal fracture.
Pain may be a `referred pain` in the back due to diseases of internal organs like tonsils, uterus, stomach, and liver.
Psychological problems like anxiety, depression, mental tension, emotional stress, phobia are also the causes of backache.
Physical stress such as heavy muscular work, exertion may give rise to backache. Obesity, overweight, constipation, gas trouble are some of the other causes.
Symptoms:
Dull, continuous/acute/unbearable pain or chronic/bearable/long lasting pain in the back.
Heaviness, numbness, tingling sensation in hand/leg.
Pain along the sciatic nerve.
Patient is unable to sit, stand walk, and sleep comfortably.
Treatment: Conventional treatment includes reduction in pain and discomfort with the help of analgesics, muscle relaxants, fomentation, orthopedic supports etc. Psychotherapy is given when excessive muscle tension is due to strong emotional disturbance.
Asanas: Pawanmuktasana, Ardha-halasana, Setubandhasana, Makarasana, Niralambasana, Ardha- Shalabhasana, Brahmamudra, Parvatasana, Vakrasana, Gomukhasana Chakrasana (Sideward bending in standing) Tadasana, Shavasana.
Pranayama: Anulom-Vilom Pranayama (minimum 10 rounds).
Om Recitation: For minimum ten times.
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