Back Pain - Causes, Diagnosis and Yoga Tips

If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you areBlood and urine tests will make sure the pain is not due
not alone. Back pain is one of the most commonto an infection or other systemic problem.
medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people at someX-rays are useful in pinpointing broken bones or other
point during their lives. Back pain can range from a dull,skeletal defects. They can sometimes help locate
constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute backproblems in connective tissue. To analyze soft-tissue
pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a fewdamage, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic
days to a few weeks. Back pain is called chronic if itresonance imaging (MRI) scans may be needed.
lasts for more than three months.X-rays and imaging studies are generally used only for
Most back pain goes away on its own, though it maychecking out direct trauma to the back, back pain with
take awhile. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers andfever, or nerve problems such as extremity weakness
resting can help. However, staying in bed for moreor numbness. To determine possible nerve or muscle
than 1 or 2 days can make it worse.damage, an electromyogram (EMG) can be useful.
Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts fromStructural problems
a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain isIn some cases, back pain may be caused by structural
the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorderproblems, such as:o Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks act
such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused byas cushions between the vertebrae in your spine.
a sports injury, work around the house or in theSometimes, the soft material inside a disk may bulge
garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident orout of place or rupture and press on a nerve. But
other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptomsmany people who have bulging or herniated disks
may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbingexperience no pain from the condition.o Sciatica. If a
pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inabilitybulging or herniated disk presses on the main nerve
to stand straight.that travels down your leg, it can cause sciatica -
Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3sharp, shooting pain through the buttock and back of
months. It is often progressive and the cause can bethe leg.
difficult to determine.Below are some best yoga poses for strengthen the
The lower back is a complex area that connects thelower back:
upper body (including the chest and arms) to the lower1.During the first week, practice the following yoga
body (including the pelvis and legs). The lower back isasanas:
composed of several vertebrae, disks of soft cartilage,Pawan Mukta Asana, Bhunga Asana, Shalabha
muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerve tissue.Asana, Uttanpada Asana, Shava Asana
Diagnosis3.