You may or may not know what causes it, but pain, intense, excruciating and severe, takes you to the point where nothing else matters. And yet there is no easy way of eliminating pain

BACKACHE

• Put an ice pack on the area of the pain an massage the spot for 7 to 8 minutes, till it disappears. Heat is also helpful and can be provided by a hot water bottle or an electric pad. This can be alternated every half-an-hour with the ice treatment.

• Gently massage the affected area, twice a day, to relieve muscle spasms.

• Try a spine-bath: lie down in a tub and let your spine remain under an inch of warm for 20 minutes.

• Do relaxing exercises for half-an-hour a day.

• Be sure to maintain a correct posture: head erect, chin tucked in, shoulders relaxed, chest high, abdomen in, back slightly curved in, buttocks in and weight evenly distributed on both feet.

• While sitting, opt for a straight, firm back chair with arm rests. Low stools should be avoided as they encourage stooping. The knees should be slightly higher than the hips.

• For chronic back pain, a reclining chair is good.
• Don't slump. Sit in a relaxed way with adequate back support.

• Stand with your weight evenly distributed. Relax, do not slouch.

• Avoid high heels.

• Lie on the side in a fetal position, with your knees bent slightly. This is the most preferred position for those with a low backache.

• While lying on the back, place a small pillow under your knees, so that your hips and knees are slightly bent and the lower back is relieved of tension.

• It is not advisable to lie on your stomach for long. Remember, soft, sagging beds hold the spine in bent, unnatural position.

• Diet is important in all kinds of pain; for example, in gout joint pains, curds, non-vegetarian dishes and cold foods should be avoided. A diet rich in Vitamin D and calcium helps prevent backaches.

Back pain is generally the result of an injury or an incorrect posture. For all kinds of backaches, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory analgesics, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, can be taken. But whatever you are doing—if you feel your back is getting tired, or beginning to ache, take a break.