(Heidi Godman/ Harvard Health) — There’s never a good time for back pain to strike. But there are good strategies for coping with it. If you’re among the millions of people struggling with back pain — eight out of 10 people experience it at some point in their lives, especially low back pain — you’ll want to know what to do.
The spine is a strong and complex tower of bones (vertebrae) with many parts that are prone to irritation, injury, or wear and tear. For example, joints that connect one vertebra to another can deteriorate (spondylosis); discs that act as cushions between vertebrae can become deformed (herniated), irritating nearby nerve roots; and the bones themselves can sprout little growths or spurs that jab into nerves (stenosis).
You may already know that you have a back problem, or you may discover it when you suddenly experience pain. What should you do in the moment? Consider the following scenarios and responses. (…)