Could Your Back Pain Be KILLING You?
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 27, 2018
Mark was in my office to get his blood drawn and casually mentioned (as he was about to leave) that his back had been hurting.
“Hold on,” I said, “Come back and sit down. Tell me what you mean.”
Mark, like many men, had gotten used to back pain.
But sometimes back pain is not just back pain — there are many serious conditions that can look exactly like back pain.
If you have chronic back pain (lasts for more than a few days), you need to make sure it is not something else that could require immediate medical attention.
Let’s take a look.
Yes, back pain can be just back pain. But it can also be much more.
Let me help you figure it out:
- Is it how you sit? Back pain can result from how you sit. Many of us sit in a way that puts an unnatural curve in our backs. You know this is you if you were to maintain your sitting posture and stand, your head would be far forward. The pain from poor sitting is usually due to muscle strain and it is fixed by learning to sit up straighter.
- Is it stress? If you are constantly under stress, this creates tight shoulders and upper back. Your best way out of this is to learn to reduce stress by exercising, stretching, and taking calming herbs like chamomile, passionflower, hops and valerian.
- Cancer? There are two types of cancers that commonly mimic back pain. The first is lung cancer and the second is bone cancer. These typically present as a slowly increasing pain over time – for no obvious reason. If your pain has been around a long time and nothing seems to make it better, then go to the doctor.
- Kidneys? Your kidneys are located just below your ribs on both sides of your back. Typical kidney stone pain radiates from the back and around to your groin area. Kidney stones are incredibly painful.
- Is it the flu? The flu and other illnesses make your bones and muscles sore. You know this might be the cause of back pain if you have other symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, or fever.
- Does it hurt when you inhale? Taking a deep breath typically hurts when you have a cracked rib, a rib out of place, or (more worrisome) when you have a pulmonary embolism (usually a blood clot in your lungs). Pulmonary embolisms usually present with shortness of breath or coughing of blood. Call 911 if you have blood clotting issues and you suspect an embolism.
Consider going to the doctor if the pain is getting worse or not getting better after a few days.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...
Get Intermittent Fasting Benefits Without Going Hungry
Intermittent fasting, which involves cycling between eating and fasting periods, is effective. There’s plenty of evidence for that. It’s not just weight loss, either. Intermittent fasting has significant benefits for metabolic health. However, many people find fasting difficult to stick to—and others can’t do it at all due to medical issues—so they miss out on...