Low back pain is one of the oldest occupational health problems in history and one of the most common causes of work-related complaints among adults. Approximately 15 million people visit doctors each year because of lower back pain. Back pain costs the economy over $25 billion each year.   For this reason, the back pain relief and muscle relaxant industries are growing by leaps and bounds.

Low back pain is a muscular and skeletal problem that affects millions of people worldwide.  People with blue-collar jobs or those who are required to do heavy manual work are more prone to lumbar aches. It’s not surprising that construction workers have a lot of back pain problems. Untreated back problems can increase worker absenteeism and affect overall productivity. Worse, it could even be the cause of more serious health problems.

To determine the severity of lower back pain, you may use the following parameters to see how “bad” your back is:

• Acute Low back pain last less than 6 weeks
• Sub-Acute Low back pain between 6 and 12 weeks
• Chronic Low back pain persists for more than 12 weeks

The good news is that there are a variety of treatments for back pain. One of the easiest ways to treat the pain is with muscle relaxants.  Back pain relief is as easy as popping a pill. You need to get your physician’s advice for your back pain as some back pain medication can only be prescribed by a physician.

These are other helpful tips, procedures and strategies on back pain relief that you may want to consider:

• Apply a cold pack to the painful area for 5-10 minutes at time
• Use an heating pad on the painful area if the pain is still there within         a few days
• Protect your back. Avoid sudden turning or bending. Go on with your usual activities and try to avoid bed rest
• Get expert professional treatments
• Non-prescription Pain Medications
• Spinal Manipulation
• Get a massage
• Try acupuncture
• Traction treatments
• Biofeedback
• Back Belts and Corsets
• Injections into the back

Certainly, back pain relief goes beyond medication.  The cause of back pain can also be stress at work, family problems, and other distressing situations that may not necessarily be due to work or physical exertion. Everyday stress can make your muscles tighten and contribute to lumbar pain due to muscle tension. Guided imagery, self-hypnosis, and meditation are being used more frequently these days to treat lunbar discomfort.  Back pain relief options can be expensive, depending on the specific technique prescribed by the therapist.

But surely, regardless of the severity or degree of back pain, it is always best to consult a doctor or healthcare professional. Back pain could be a symptom of other health problems.