Backache, one of the most common ailments, is widely prevalent these days due to sedentary living habits and hazardous work patterns. The psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, may also cause backache. As the back bears the weight of the entire body it gives way when it has to carry an extra load in the case of persons who are overweight.

The backbone forms a protective arch over the vertebrae and spinal cord and protects the spinal nerves that are interwoven through the spinal column. There is a close relationship between the bones, discs, joint muscles and nerves in the back and the slightest problem or injury to the back or neck area can have disastrous effects.

The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, joint strain, poor posture and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, Influenza and arthritis, may also lead to backache. Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels and emotional problems, which may cause painful muscle cramping.

Poor posture results from soft chairs and coaches, which militate slouching and sitting incorrectly. Shoes with high heels place a tremendous strain on the back and other muscles of the body. Sleeping on too soft mattress, which results in an improper back and neck posture, can cause tension, headaches and pain in the upper and lower back. Another major cause of back problems and tense muscles is lack of exercise. Modem conveniences have made office work easier. The easy life can lead to obesity, which puts a great strain on the back. When muscles are not exercised and remain weak, the chances of injury to them are increased a lot.

Symptoms of Backache are easily noticeable for its regularity and troubling conditions. In most cases of backache, the pain is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. With acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden.

Treatment of backache can be done in various methods. Treatment of Backache by nature cure is the best and does not have any kind of side effects. The back can be strengthened through proper nutrition, exercise and relaxation and in the process general health will also improve. Exercises like bicycling and swimming are also very effective in this case. Certain safety measures, especially for people in sedentary occupation, are necessary to relieve and prevent backache. Bicycling should be done keeping the back upright. Controlling one`s weight is another important step towards relieving backache as excess weight greatly increases the stress on soft back tissues.

Those with deskbound occupations should take a break to stand up every hour. Soft cushioned seats should be avoided arid position should be changed as often as possible. Persons with back problems should sleep on a firm mattress on their sides with knees bent at right angles to the torso. They should take care never to bend from the waist down to lift any object but instead should squat close to the object, bending the knees but keeping the back straight, and then stand up slowly.

Neck tension arising from long hours at the desk or behind the wheel of the car can be relieved by certain neck exercises. These include rotating the head clockwise and anti-clockwise, allowing the head to drop forward and backwards as far as possible and turning the head to the right and left as far as possible several times. These exercises help to loosen up contracted neck muscles, which may restrict blood supply to the head.

Diet is another method to treat backache. The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce and at least two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach and plenty of fruits, all except bananas. The patients should have four meals daily. They may take fruits and milk during breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole-wheat chapatis during lunch, fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening and a bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.

However, the patients should avoid fatty, spicy and fried foods, curd, sweetmeats, sugar, condiments as well as tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for storage to avoid spoiling have few nutrients and should be eliminated from the diet. Those who smoke and take tobacco in any form should give them up completely. Proteins and vitamin C are necessary for the development of a healthy bone metrix. Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and the essential trace minerals are essential for healthy bones. Vitamin C has proved helpful in relieving low-back pain and averting spinal disc operations. Hot fomentations, alternate sponging or application of radiant heat to the back will also give immediate relief. Yogic asanas, which are beneficial in the treatment of backache, are bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana.

Treatment of Backache by Acupressure has been recently into much use and proves to be truly effective. Acupressure has been shown to be effective in alleviating this pain. Hence, to treat persistent lower back pain, firm pressure may be applied to acupoints on the bladder and gallbladder meridians, relieving pain and stimulating the flow of qi. Experts suggest that pressing the b 54 acupressure points, which are behind the knees, may help move pain and pressure away from the back.

Acupressure is more effective than physical therapy in reducing lower back pain in terms of disability, pain scores and functional status and the effect is sustained for six months. An effective way to eliminate back pain is to identify the muscle imbalances that are pulling the spine, bones, and joints out of place and then stretch the tight muscles while strengthening the weak muscles.

Aromatherapy Massage for backache treatment is also well known all across India. For Relaxation of Muscles, a mixture of Bay, Camphor, Pine and Spruce is used, while for soothing or stimulating, Rosemary, Juniper and Ambrette are mixed; and as an anti inflammatory Lavender, Thyme and Sage are used. 5 gm, dry ginger in 50 ml of water and a mix of 5-10 ml. Treatment of backache by magnetic therapy is also used contemporary. The magnets should be applied locally over the seat of the pain. In case the pain extends horizontally, apply the south-pole oil to the affected portion and place the North Pole over the painful spot on the right side. At the same time apply the South Pole over the painful spot on the left side.

In case the pain extends in the vertical direction, the magnets should be applied on the painful spots with North Pole in the upper portion and South Pole in the lower portion. Sunbathing of the affected portion is highly useful. Nowadays, convenient options of magnetic belts with several embedded low-power magnets are available for constant wearing around the back. The belts are convenient and effective against back pain. However, backache should be checked at its best in its initial period by correcting one`s posture.