My problem with back pains

I have been having incessant back pains for the past one year. I have taken many pain tablets and injections to no avail. Kindly let me know what else to do.

Elizabeth (by SMS)

Although it can be very excruciating, back pain is rarely a sign of something serious and is often relatively short-lived. The bad news is that it’s a common ailment for many adults. About 80% of adults experience pain in their back at some point in their lives. Nearly 90% of back pain cases are temporary, and people make a full functional recovery within 12 weeks of the onset of their symptoms. Lower back pain often is caused by osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, the most common type. Just as arthritis affects your knees, hips, wrists and shoulders, it also affects your spine. Also, cartilage degenerates as you age, so bone-on-bone joint movement can cause pain with movement. Repeatedly lifting heavy objects or twisting your back quickly can strain muscles and spinal ligaments. Carrying extra weight can strain your back, leading to pain. It’s not always possible to pinpoint a reason for back pain. Back pain can sometimes be traced to muscle strain from a fall or lifting something heavy. More commonly, people can’t tie their pain to any specific activity or event. Rest, applying heat to the affected areas and over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen, might be enough to ease the pain. You should also think of changing your mattress to something firm with a hard background such as wood planks or even the floor. If your pain isn’t better after several weeks, you may need to see your healthcare professional for an evaluation. The best way to avoid back pain is to prevent it by taking good care of your back. Recommended activities include: Exercises such as; walking, swimming and other low-impact aerobic activities can strengthen your back, building muscle strength and flexibility and avoidance of slouching and standing or sitting in one position for too long. When you need to lift something heavy, lift from your legs, not your back.