Usually most adults will experience back pain at some time in their lives, and probably the most common of back problems affecting the lower back is Lumbago.
Lumbago affects the muscles of the lower back and the pain experienced can vary greatly from severe pain to just a persistent dull ache. It is thought that the condition can be made worse by cold and wet weather, poor posture, carrying excess weight, and through muscle strain due to pregnancy. Unfortunately, lumbago has the habit of intensifying with age, so its even more important for people to keep healthy and physically fit as they gradually mature into old age.
Sometimes a persons first symptoms of lumbago will be felt while bending or twisting suddenly, usually when lifting or shifting heavy objects or furniture, resulting in excruciating pain. It does not often result in injury to the spine itself, unless a person has experienced an injury to the back, which is quickly followed by low back pain. Lumbago is basically muscular in origin, so the symptoms can be greatly reduced or alleviated by strengthening the core muscles of the body, losing excess weight, and improving posture.
Most sufferers will turn to pain-killing drugs to help relieve their discomfort in the first instance, but taking a warm bath with a little lavender oil can be really beneficial too. Aromatherapy massage can be a more holistic approach to dealing with recurrent lumbago, incorporating oils that help to relieve pain, such as St Johns wort, vervain, white willow, and comfrey.
Participating regular physical exercise can benefit both body and mind, but with lumbago it would be better to concentrate on exercises that strengthen the core muscles and improve posture, such as pilates, which advocates building and maintaining the back, abdominal and oblique muscles that make up the core. Think of you core as a natural girdle that pulls you in, lifts your posture and protects your back.
As we get older we tend to wind down, and become less active than we were when we were younger, so making small changes to your every day routine can go a long way to improving your general fitness, muscle strength and posture, and lessening the symptoms of lumbago.
Try walking to work instead of taking the bus, or get off two stops earlier. Take the stairs wherever possible instead of using lifts and escalators. Park you car further away from your workplace so you can add a few minutes extra walking to your day. Get out into the fresh air for a walk at lunchtime. Buy a dog and walk it twice a day. Get the family out into the countryside at weekends to explore local parks and nature walks, or join your local rambling club. Take up dancing lessons, or learn a new dance style, join your local gym for regular weigh-training sessions a couple of times per week.
Whatever you choose to do, have fun doing it and you will be able to cope better with your lumbago.