
Back Pain can have many different causes. Therefore, as a first step, it is important to find the underlying cause and plan the right treatment according to it.
Most causes of back pain are treatable with good results and surgery can be avoided. Moreover, there are very effective measures to prevent back pain from reoccurring.
Acute vs chronic back pain: Acute back pain is most often caused by an injury or wrong movement, has a sudden onset, and lasts only hours our days. Chronic back pain is characterized as a pain lasts more than 12 weeks.
Location of pain: Most common is lower or lumbar pain, but the pain can be located in the middle of the back, the upper back or neck, too. In disc related back pain and sciatica we often see a radiating pain down the legs.
Severity of pain: from mild to unbearable pain
Symptoms could occur after lifting heavy items or other physical exercise. However, it can also occur without any previous activity. Peripheral nerves are having 3 functions: Pain, sensory and motor function. This explains the symptoms.
Since back pain can be caused by many different underlying conditions, a thorough examination is needed to find the true cause.
There can be so many causes of back pain, therefore, consulting a healthcare professional is necessary to find the exact cause.
Here some of the most common causes in more detail
Ageing can cause our muscles, bones and the discs of the spine to weaken gradually. Everyone goes through this process of weakening of the spine, but that doesn’t necessarily become a cause of pain.
The spinal discs are located between the vertebrae (bones making the spine) and act as shock absorbers. As they shrink with time, the space between the vertebrae reduces meanwhile bone spurs start developing along the edges of the vertebrae and joints.
In medical terminology, this condition is referred to as spondylosis.
As the discs are shrinking, the inner part of the disk, which is still more flexible, breaks thru the outer part and squeezes the nerve roots nearby. Neurologists call this a prolapsed intervertebral disk. Most common locations are the lower back, L4-L5 and L5-S1 or the neck, C5-6 and C6-7.
Back pain is often linked to numbness, tingling feeling, or pain in the legs which is a condition called sciatica.
It originates when the spinal nerve (sciatic nerve) – running down the back of the legs – gets damaged or squeezed. People with sciatica often feel more intense pain in the legs than in the back or less often feel no pain in the back.
A slipped disc or an outgrowth of bone can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause pain or numbness along the nerve’s pathway. This can cause pain anywhere from the lower back to the foot or toe.
Another condition linked to back pain is spinal stenosis which is characterized by pain in the legs, arms, back, neck, hands, or feet. The pain can start at once and fade away or might get worse over time – depending on the location of the pain. This can be a genetic condition or might be experienced with the growing age.
Our spine has a canal that contains the nerves of the spinal cord, the narrowing of this canal can result in spinal stenosis. Some people are born with a narrow canal and some may experience the narrowing of space later in life. Less space can put pressure on the nerves running through this canal, and this results in pain or numbness in different parts.
Along with other areas, both or one leg can be affected, and the pain is more severe in the legs than in the back. Some people feel relieved when they sit down or walk while slightly hunching their back.
The diagnostic procedures used depend on the patient’s complete medical history and physical examinations which determine if there is any serious underlying condition that could be causing the pain. Only after a thorough back examination and neurological tests can a healthcare provider establish the cause of back pain and the appropriate treatment. A doctor may perform several tests to identify the exact cause of back pain. These tests include;
Back pain is common and usually gets better within a few days, but there are some conditions when you should see a doctor:
90% of acute back pain cases will fully recover. Patients with subacute or chronic back and neck pain (3 month>) still have a favourable prognosis, however not as positive as acute back pain. Moreover, the treatment of chronic back pain or neck pain differs from treatment of acute pain.
There should never be a treatment without a proper examination. Before going into detail, we will answer the most common questions patients will ask:
There are many things you can do to ease your back pain. Staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a good way to start. Rest is important but preventing your back from any movement can worsen the pain and slow down the recovery process. Mild exercise often speeds up the recovery process.
Research also suggests that your emotional responses also play a significant role in speeding up the back pain recovery process. So, one must learn to tackle the emotional challenges to get better faster. If your back pain takes too long to get better, you should see a healthcare provider.
Staying active is the first thing you can do to ease up your back pain. Regular exercise or movement makes your back flexible and keeps your spine-supporting muscles strong. This also helps in reducing pressure on your joints and bones.
Your back may initially experience soreness, but it will not cause any harm. Begin with a mild exercise and gradually increase the duration and intensity. Lack of exercise or movement for a long time makes your muscles weaker and stiffer, leading to a more painful back.
Regular exercise gradually eases the back pain. It also releases pain-relieving chemicals – known as endorphins – which not only help in alleviating the pain but also improve the mood.
You can also take painkillers with the recommendation of your healthcare provider before performing any exercises. Gradually, you will have a stronger and more flexible back, which will reduce pain.
There are plenty of exercises you can choose to help relieve your back pain. Some of them are:
Just remember to be patient and keep in mind that the key is finding the right exercise, gradually incorporating it and performing it consistently.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a FDA approved, commonly used method in up-to-date pain management. It’s used for many forms of acute and chronic pain.
Acupuncture may be useful as adjunctive treatment for low back pain.
Physical therapy, Massage, Occupational therapy can be used to alleviate pain and restore function (but this treatment is not encouraged in the early phase of injury)
Surgical therapy including Lumbar microdiskectomy,Spinal stabilization, Laminectomy, Endoscopic therapy, percutaneous arthroscopic diskectomy
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) was underestimated for a long time but as new studies prove, they are highly effective. In some cases even more effective than medication, with less side effects. A recent study published by the American Psychological Association showed when it comes to chronic pain, psychological interventions often provide more relief than prescription drugs or surgery without the risk of side effects, but are used much less frequently than traditional medical treatments
Lifestyle adjustments to eliminate the risk factors, such as obesity, poor physical health, poor nutrition, smoking, heavy manual labor.
Support groups are monthly meetings of 5-10 people, having one thing in common, impaired quality of life due to a chronic disease.
For psychology and psychiatrist related problems, you can always consult a psychologist, psychiatrist or for counseling our psychotherapists are always available to help you.
For psychology and psychiatrist related problems, you can always consult a psychologist, psychiatrist or for counseling our psychotherapists are always available to help you.