Back pain, whether upper, middle or lower, is exceedingly common in the U.S.
Q: I suffer from upper and middle back pain. Is this a common problem?
A: Back pain, whether upper, middle or lower, is exceedingly common in the U.S. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) states that lower back pain alone is the most common cause of work-related disability. Middle and upper back aches are quite common as well.
Q: Is back pain that big of a deal?
A: Though you may feel as though you're complaining about "little" aches, back pain can be a serious condition, leading to missed workdays and lost income. The NINDS estimates that American employees spend $50 billion on addressing back pain each year, a sum greater than the gross national product of some small nations.
Q: Where can I get some back pain relief? Are analgesics a good place to start?
A: While over-the-counter pills may reduce some of your aching and inflammation, relying on medications is not an effective long-term solution. Alternative or complementary therapies like yoga can ease your pain without entailing the ingestion of analgesics or pharmaceutical painkillers.
Q: My friends say that yoga classes are good for lower back pain, but I'm not sure that this would translate to my aches, which are higher up in my spine and shoulders.
A: Upper and middle back pain come from many of the same sources as lower backaches. According to the Columbia University Medical Center, an aching back can stem from poor posture, a pulled muscle, prolonged desk work, scoliosis, weight gained during pregnancy or even intense sneezing or coughing.
Q: What will yoga stretching do for my back?
A: Besides relieving some of your tension or muscles aches, yoga exercises can loosen up the hundreds of muscles, tendons and ligaments in your back. Over time, increased spinal flexibility can reduce your risk of injuries like slipped discs and torn muscles, which is why looking into yoga classes now may help you in the long run!
