When you suffer from back pain, it can be debilitating, but there is relief available for almost everyone who suffers through it. In nearly all cases, it’s not caused by a more serious medical condition or even major back injury, and yet the exact cause of your pain isn’t always clear. This is known as nonspecific upper back pain, or simply upper back pain. The most common advice for this type of pain is still to stay active and do at least moderate activity as often as possible.
Sometimes, however, other symptoms seem to occur along with your low back pain, such as numbness, tingling, or trouble walking. This can be frightening, but in many cases, these symptoms are signs that the pain you’re feeling is actually better than your muscles giving out. You may want to try massage therapy, but if you have severe pain, then this will usually only make your symptoms worse. You may find that applying heat to the affected area can also help relieve your discomfort. Of course, the effectiveness of this low back pain treatment may vary from person to person; but it is an option worth trying, especially if your back pain symptoms are straining your ability to get around or perform simple tasks.
Finally, some doctors may recommend physical therapy as a way to help you manage your pain and, if you do need surgery, at least improve the chances that the surgery will work well. If your back pain persists, you should get a second opinion about your symptoms from a doctor who deals specifically with back problems. It may help to combine treatments that you’re using to see if they actually improve your situation. Only a qualified doctor can make this determination.