British researchers surveyed around 13.000 people about their lifestyle, including their smoking habits, occupation, level of activity and pain history. After isolating work stress and other factors that can cause back pain, the researchers concluded that smoking - individually - increased the risk of back pain occurrence for 30%. Smoking also makes people more vulnerable to neck pain, pain in the shoulders, elbows, arms, hips and knees.
"Cigarettes affect the way the brain sends the pain signals. Smoking can also damage the tissue located in the lower back or some other part of the body by slowing the blood circulation and reducing the flow of nutrients in the joints and muscles."
Fortunately, most back pain disappear within few days. But some back pain can last for several weeks and lead to much more serious condition.
* Acute or short-term lower back pain usually last from a few days to a few weeks. Most of the acute pain are mechanical.
* Chronic pain in the lower back are measured by duration - the pain that lasts longer than three months is considered chronic.
* Quitting smoking probably won`t eliminate the back pain immediately, but it sure helps a lot. Of course, quitting smoking will significantly reduce the risks of heart disease, cancer and many other diseases.
