What Does Acute Pain Mean?
Acute pain is related to the time frame of your injury and the incident that caused the injury. Acute pain describes pain that has lasted a short period, normally 1-2 weeks, that is usually caused by a particular incident. When dealing with an acute injury, your pain level will probably be at its peak. However, treating acute back pain is less intensive than most other back injuries.
Acute back injuries can be caused by excessive use of the same muscle, either by working out, lifting heavy items, or other repetitive movements. Sitting and lying down for extensive periods of time can also result in muscle issues. Wearing the wrong backpack could even cause back injuries if the weight of the bag isn’t distributed evenly upon your back. Overall, acute back injuries can be caused by minor daily tasks, thus it is important to be aware of some easy preventative measures.
What are some easy measures to prevent back pain?
- Simple stretches
- Good posture
- A healthy amount of exercise
- Avoid heavy lifting on a regular basis
How do you prevent acute back injuries?
Simple Stretches can keep your muscles active even if you do not normally partake in physical activity. Keeping your back muscles moving is important because if you do not keep them in shape. A simple action like moving a 10-pound box could throw out your back and cause an acute injury. Stretching maintains the tone in your back, which allows you to keep up with everyday activities without the concern of injuring yourself.
Good Posture is important to maintaining your back health because keeping your spine straight allows for good blood flow throughout the back. If you sit all day, it is important to sit up straight. When you hunch your back, you can cause an interruption in your nervous system. Meaning neurons are not being transmitted as quickly as they should be. Continuously hunching your back could cause serious strain on your muscles which can cause immense pain.
A healthy amount of exercise is a great way to maintain your body at the moment, while also ensuring that as you grow older, your body will maintain its strength. A little exercise a few times a week can really help maintain muscle tone. While also keeping your body strong enough to do tougher activities every once in a while without concern of causing a spinal injury. Working out in moderation can lengthen the lifespan of your body and keep you young for as long as possible.
Avoid heavy lifting on a regular basis as much as possible because the repetitive strain of the same muscle is a great way to cause an acute injury. When we are young, we think that our bodies will support us forever; however, if we constantly lift heavy items, our bodies will eventually deteriorate, and we could be left with crippling back pain. On the occasions when you do lift heavy items, it is of the utmost importance that you bend your knees and keep your back straight rather than bending over completely. Even a simple change in your form could prevent injuries in the future.
Are Acute Back Injuries Easily Treatable?
Though acute back injuries can be scary because of the immense pain they cause, they are treated pretty easily with non-invasive measures like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and heat or ice. Acute injuries are normally the most painful, however, they are the easiest to treat. Acute injuries have been described as the peak level of pain, but once a patient is able to get treatment for their affliction, the pain subsides almost immediately, and they are able to proceed with everyday life once again.
If you are suffering from acute back pain, call a specialist at Axis Spine Clinic and make an appointment today.