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While back pain is normal, there are some instances where you should not ignore it. For example, if your back pain is accompanied by numbness or weakness or you have trouble controlling your bowel movements or urination, then you should see a specialist immediately.
If your back pain is mild to moderate, most people find that over-the-counter pain relievers, a common option in home remedies for back pain, are enough to ease the discomfort. You may also want to try applying an ice pack to help with inflammation—a well-known practice in home remedies for back pain. However, be careful not to apply ice directly on your skin as it could damage the tissue. If the pain persists, it is recommended that you try alternating between heat and ice therapy, a valuable component of home remedies for back pain.
1. Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
Numbness and weakness can be a serious sign of back pain, especially if the numbness spreads to your legs or arms. This can indicate that a nerve has been damaged. This can be caused by a number of things including a spinal cord injury, pinched nerves, infections (shingles and Lyme disease), cancer spreading to the spine, or standing or sitting in one position for a long period of time.
It is also important to remember that numbness and weakness can be a side effect of some medications so it is important to talk with your doctor if you are taking any new medication.
If your back pain is mild to moderate, most people find that over-the-counter pain relievers are enough to ease the discomfort. You may also want to try applying an ice pack to help with inflammation. However, be careful not to apply ice directly on your skin as it could damage the tissue. If the pain persists, it is recommended that you try alternating between heat and ice therapy. You should also start some back and abdominal exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your spine.
2. Fever or chills
When back pain comes with a fever or chills it is not something to ignore. Fever and chills are signs that your body is attempting to fight off an infection or illness that may be causing the back pain.
Having a backache that is accompanied by chills can be a sign of pyelonephritis, a kidney infection. Pyelonephritis is commonly the result of a urinary tract infection (UTI) that is not properly treated, which allows bacteria to travel up the ureter and infect your kidneys.
Fever and chills along with back pain can also indicate that there is some form of nerve compression in your spine. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed right away since continued pressure on neural elements can lead to irreversible damage and paralysis. Nerve compression can be caused by spinal infections, tumors, fractures, cancer, and severe degeneration of the spine. It can also be caused by a rheumatic condition such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis that is flaring up. This type of condition can cause a sudden flare up of the inflammation that triggers your body to produce a fever and chills to try and fight it off.
3. Loss of appetite
When you are injured, your back pain may cause you to eat less. In some cases, this can lead to weight loss and malnutrition. If you notice a change in your appetite, it is important to talk to your doctor about the issue.
A doctor can assess your symptoms and determine if your back pain requires surgery. They can also recommend nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy to reduce your back pain.
Most back pain comes from a strain or sprain in your muscles, tendons or ligaments. This can happen if you lift something too heavy or twist your back the wrong way. It can also be a sign of a medical condition, such as osteoarthritis or a spinal tumor.
Pain that comes from your bones, ligaments or joints (facet and sacroiliac joints) is usually felt in the lower back, buttocks or top of your legs. Your doctor can determine what is causing this type of pain by asking you about your history and performing a physical examination. If your back pain does not respond to pain relievers, a doctor can refer you to a spine surgeon, a pain management specialist or a rheumatologist for further evaluation.
4. Change in your sleeping position
If you wake up in the morning with a backache, it might be time to change your sleeping position. Your spine is anchored by a series of bones that are stacked atop each other and separated by spinal discs, which need to be aligned properly for your body to stay healthy and free from pain. Sleeping positions that place too much strain on your spine can cause the muscles and ligaments to overwork and lead to back pain.
Sleeping on your stomach, also known as the prone position, can be particularly bad for your back. It can add pressure to the spinal column and restrict breathing, leading to stiffness in the neck or back.
The best sleeping position for your back is on your side with a pillow between your legs to keep the spine aligned and relieve stress on the lower back. A water or memory foam pillow can be good choices since they are designed to contour around the body for better support. It’s important that the pillow is not too thick, as this can promote a bad posture and worsen back pain.
5. Change in your mood
Back pain can be a major mood drain, especially if it persists. Severe and unrelenting back pain can wear people down by preventing them from eating and sleeping well and discouraging them from participating in their usual activities. Depression is a common side effect of chronic back pain, as are anxiety and feelings of helplessness. These symptoms can also be aggravated by some types of medications that are used to control back pain.
If back pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, especially in women who are pregnant, this could be a sign of preeclampsia. Nausea is also a common symptom of a herniated appendix, which must be treated on an urgent basis.
If your back pain is causing you to become depressed or anxious, it's important to talk with your doctor about it. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful in reducing these kinds of symptoms, as can a change in your lifestyle and exercise routine. Your doctor may recommend that you try a different type of painkiller or use a muscle relaxant to help with the pain.
