Back pain is not a condition but it is a symptom of an underlying problem. You may experience back pain due to an injury or a muscle pull. You may also experience accompanying symptoms such as neck pain or headaches depending on the cause of your back pain. It is important for anyone who suffers from frequent back pain to be well informed about the symptoms of back pain. If you do suffer from frequent bouts of back pain or a very severe back pain, it would be advisable to seek a thorough medical diagnosis.

So what are the common symptoms of back pain? The symptoms of upper back pain are quite varied and may include muscle spasms, discomfort while inhaling, weakness in the arms, restricted neck movements, and a pinching feeling between the shoulder blades. These upper back symptoms could be an indication of an injury to a disc which is in the upper part of the spine.

Thoracic pain is the term used to describe upper back or middle back pain. Some of the most common accompanying middle back pain symptoms are soreness to the touch, difficulty in performing simple activities, stiffness, and restriction in body movements.

One of the reasons that lower back pain is a lot more common than upper back pain is that there are several health problems that could cause this symptom. Conditions that have been known to trigger pain in the lower back include pregnancy, bladder infections, kidney problems, and even cancer. In addition to back pain, pregnancy generally causes: Nausea and vomiting
-- Cravings or aversion towards certain foods
-- Tingling sensation, soreness, and heaviness in the breasts
-- Missed periods
-- Vaginal discharge or spotting
-- Cramps in the abdomen

Remedies for Back Pain
It is common to see most people take over-the-counter painkillers to relieve lower back pain. However, there are a few side effects that are associated with these medicines and therefore, most people prefer natural back pain remedies. There are many back pain home remedies that are known to be very effective. Natural back pain solutions include not just curative remedies, but also herbs, therapies, and exercises which can prevent the pain from recurring. Given below are some of the most widely recommended natural back pain healing methods:

Hot and Cold Therapy:
Many people seek immediate relief from severe back pain, by placing a hot water bag on the area. This normally gets rid of the pain within a short while. It has been seen that applying an ice pack on the back can also bring about the same results.

Herbs:
There are many herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties, which is what makes them effective upper, lower, and middle back pain remedies. Some of the most widely recommended herbs include willow bark and devil?s claw, which need to be taken orally. Pureed capsicum, applied topically, can also be very effective in relieving back pain as it contains capsaicin which helps to numb the affected area.

Massage Therapy:
Massages have been known to relieve aches and pains but people should make sure that they only visit a certified masseuse. It is important to inform the masseuse of all details concerning the type of back pain as well as the cause.

Exercises:
There are many back pain exercises like low impact aerobic exercises that can help to ease and prevent back pain. Apart from stretches for back pain, most doctors also advise people to walk or swim regularly.