Back pain is more than just discomfort. It's your body's signal that something is wrong. It can manifest itself in different ways: a slight tingling sensation, a dull, pulling ache, a burning sensation, or a sharp, stabbing pain. Regardless of the type, severe back pain can be debilitating and affect your sleep, mood, and even your ability to work. In this article, we'll explain what you can do about severe back pain and how to deal with it.

1. Don't ignore the pain – find its cause
When your back suddenly and severely starts to hurt, your first instinct is just to lie down and wait for the pain to "go away on its own." But that could be a mistake. Acute pain can have a variety of causes, ranging from muscle strains to herniated discs, inflammation, vertebral displacement, and problems with internal organs.

It's important not to self-diagnose but to consult a doctor: a therapist, neurologist, or orthopedist. The doctor can prescribe the necessary tests, such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound, to rule out serious conditions. You can search for "back pain doctor near me" to find an experienced and qualified specialist in your area.

2. Rest, but not for too long
If you have severe back pain, limiting physical activity for a while is acceptable. A day or two of rest can help relax the muscles and reduce inflammation. However, prolonged bed rest will only worsen the situation. Your back needs movement, even if it's gentle. After the first few days of acute pain, starting with light exercise, stretching, or walking is recommended.

3. Correct posture is important
If pain prevents you from sitting or lying down, it's important to find a comfortable position that relieves pressure on your spine. It often helps to lie on your back with a pillow under your knees, or to lie on your side with your legs bent and a pillow between them.

It's also important to avoid sitting for long periods, especially in the same position. If you're working at a computer, make sure you set up a suitable workstation: a chair with lumbar support, a screen at eye level, and feet on the floor.

4. Heat or cold – how to use it correctly?
Depending on the type of pain, a warm compress or a cold pack can help:
- Cold helps with acute pain caused by injury or inflammation. It reduces swelling and relieves inflammation.
- Heat helps relax muscles and improve circulation, especially in chronic pain or muscle cramps.

Avoid applying ice or a hot water bottle directly to the skin; always wrap it in a cloth.

5. Ointments and painkillers: temporary support
Pharmaceutical products can provide temporary relief. There are anti-inflammatory ointments and gels based on diclofenac, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen. You can also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in tablet form, but only after consulting your doctor. However, you should understand that painkillers don't treat the cause of the pain; they only help you cope with the acute period. They shouldn't be taken regularly without medical supervision.

6. Exercise and physical therapy
Physical therapy and exercise therapy are key elements of healing and prevention. Once the acute pain has subsided, your doctor or sports therapist may recommend customized exercises to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, improve flexibility, and stabilize your spine. However, incorrect exercises can worsen the situation. Avoid strength training, sudden movements, and excessive forward bending.

7. Find the cause in your lifestyle
Back pain is often a result of lifestyle:
- Lack of exercise and sedentary work weaken the muscular corset
- Excess weight increases the strain on the spine
- Poor posture, especially when working at a computer for long periods, leads to curvatures and constrictions
- Stress can manifest itself as cramps and muscle tension

If you frequently suffer from back pain, it's time to review your routine: Exercise more, eat right, break bad habits, pay attention to your posture, and take regular breaks from sedentary work.

When is an urgent doctor's visit necessary?
There are cases in which it is dangerous to postpone a doctor's visit:
- The pain persists for several days or worsens
- You have experienced numbness in your legs, weakness, and difficulty urinating
- The pain is accompanied by fever, weight loss, or tingling in the limbs
- An injury is suspected (fall, blow, etc.)

In such cases, immediate medical attention is required.

Author's Bio: 

I am Amelia Grant, journalist, and blogger. I think that information is a great force that is able to change people’s lives for the better. That is why I feel a strong intention to share useful and important things about health self-care, wellness and other advice that may be helpful for people. Being an enthusiast of a healthy lifestyle that keeps improving my life, I wish the same for everyone.

Our attention to ourselves, to our daily routine and habits, is very important. Things that may seem insignificant, are pieces of a big puzzle called life. I want to encourage people to be more attentive to their well-being, improve every little item of it and become healthier, happier, stronger. All of us deserve that. And I really hope that my work helps to make the world better.