What is Back Pain? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
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Back pain is a common health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. It can significantly reduce the quality of life. The intensity of back pain varies from minor to severe. It can affect different areas of the back, and the duration can range from a few days to a few years.
Who suffers from back pain?
Back pain is not a specific disease to diagnose. It is a symptom of various medical conditions. A problem with one or more parts of the back usually causes back pain, such as
- Ligaments (connective tissues between bones or cartilage)
- Muscles
- Tendons (inelastic tissue connecting muscles to bones)
- Intervertebral discs (cushion-like pads between vertebrae)
- Nerves
- Vertebrae (the bony structures that make up the spine)
- Spinal cord.
A problem with nearby organs, such as kidneys, can also cause it.
The treatment for back pain is determined by the underlying type and cause of the pain. It may include a range of interventions, such as the application of hot or cold packs, pain-relieving medications, exercise and lifestyle changes, physical therapy, complementary and alternative therapies or, in certain cases, surgery.
In 90 percent of cases, the person feels better without surgery. Consult with a doctor if you are suffering from back pain.
Back Pain Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of back pain depend on the cause and severity of the condition. The sensation may range from shooting or burning to stabbing pain. Certain activities such as lifting, bending, twisting standing or walking may exacerbate the pain.
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Symptoms include:
· Dull or sharp pain in the back, which can be localized or spread to other areas of the body, such as the legs, buttocks, hip or abdomen.
· Stiffness or limited mobility in the back.
· Muscle spasms or cramps.
· Difficulty standing or sitting for long periods.
Seek immediate care for back pain that causes
· Loss of bladder or bowel control (in severe cases)
· Tingling, numbness or weakness in one or both legs
· Weight loss without a reason
· Fever
· Abdominal pain characterized by a throbbing sensation
If back pain doesn’t improve within 2 weeks of developing, consult your doctor. Then it can be a warning sign of serious medical illness. Back pain is classified as chronic if persists for longer than three months.
Back Pain Causes and Risk Factors
The most typical causes of lower back pain are strain and structural issues.
Muscle or ligament strain:
This is the most common cause of back pain. It often results from lifting heavy objects or sudden, jerky movements.
Overactivity can also cause strain.
Structural Problems:
The Spine is composed of interlocking bones called vertebrae, and between each vertebra are tissue areas known as discs that provide cushioning. Disc injuries are a prevalent cause of back pain.
Sometimes, these discs can rupture, herniate or bulge, which causes compression of nerves.
Herniated disc causes severe pain. And a bulging disc applies pressure on the nerve that travels from your back down to your leg. It can cause sciatica or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica causes Pain, numbness and tingling sensation in the legs.
Arthritis:
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation and pain in the lower back. It causes deterioration in the cartilage of joints in the lower back, called spinal osteoarthritis.
As time passes, this condition can cause the spinal column to become narrow, putting pressure on the nerves, known as spinal stenosis. It causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.
Osteoporosis:
This condition decreases bone density and weakens the bones. It makes the vertebrae more susceptible to fractures. Such Compression fractures in the spine can lead to severe back pain.
Other Risk Factors of Back Pain are:
· Cancer or noncancerous (benign) tumor in the spine
· Kidney infection or kidney stones
· Age
· Lack of exercise
· Poor posture
· Having an excessive amount of body weight
· Pregnancy
· Smoking
· Psychological conditions, such as depression and anxiety
· Improper weightlifting
· Jobs requiring physical exertion (pushing, pulling, or twisting) or jobs that are stationary or desk-oriented
Back Pain Diagnosis
Doctors use various diagnostic tools to rule out the causes of back pain.
Physical Exam:
A physical examination is all that is required to diagnose back pain. During the physical exam, the doctor will examine your back and posture to assess:
· Ability to sit, stand and walk
· Bend or lift your legs to see how it affects your pain
· Spinal and postural examination for bony changes
· Spinal flexibility
· Test your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation in your legs
A doctor can ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0–10 and discuss how pain affects your daily activities.
Blood Tests and Imaging:
In case of a serious condition, doctors can order certain diagnostic tests to confirm a specific cause for your back pain. Such as:
. Blood and urine tests to check for underlying infections causing pain.
· X-rays of the spine to show changes in the alignment of bones, broken bones, and changes because of aging.
· MRI and CT scan to diagnose damage or disease of the soft tissues, such as discs, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels in and around the spine.
· Electromyography (EMG) test to measure electrical activity in muscles and to find problems with the nerves and muscles.
· Bone scans to see abnormalities in the spine, such as bone fractures and infections. It is also an important tool for detecting bone cancer.
Treatment and Medications for Back pain
Treatment options for back pain depend on the cause of pain, with the aim being to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Back pain usually improves within a month of home care, particularly in those under the age of 60. For many, however, the pain is present for several months.
1. Home-care options
Home-care options that may help the healing process include:
· Cold packs (to relieve pain) or hot packs (to increase blood flow and promote healing).
· Add Exercise gradually and that is best for you, to strengthen the muscles that support the back.
· Relax (but avoid bedrest) to keep stress and muscle tension low and do as much activity as you can tolerate.
· Change your lifestyle and keep away from activities that cause or increase pain. Adopt healthy habits such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and quitting smoking.
· Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to relieve pain.
2. Medications
Medications depend on the type and severity of back pain. They include:
Pain relievers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help. Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications as directed by a doctor. Overuse can cause significant side effects.
Muscle relaxants
Use muscle relaxants for lower back pain, especially if muscle spasms occur along with pain. To reduce pain, these medications act on the central nervous system (CNS) and can cause dizziness.
Topical pain relievers
Topical products are highly effective in reducing back pain. Mostly these have ingredients like ibuprofen and lidocaine and are available as gels, creams, lotions, patches and sprays. These deliver pain-relieving ingredients through the skin.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are sometimes used off-label to cure back pain. In case of severe chronic back pain, the doctor can prescribe amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. This antidepressant also works better for nerve-related pain.
Narcotics
Narcotics, including opioids, are stronger pain relievers. These medicines, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, are used for a short time for more severe pain under close medical supervision to avoid addiction. These act on the brain cells and body to decrease pain.
Steroids
For back pain that involves a nerve, the doctor can also prescribe a cortisone steroid injection.
3. Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can guide individuals on exercises to help strengthen the muscles that support the back, enhance flexibility, and improve posture. Regular use of these exercises can provide relief from pain and stop pain from coming back.
A physical therapist can advise on how to adjust your movements and posture at home to prevent flare-ups of pain during physical activity.
4. Surgery
Surgery for back pain is usually suggested for those persons with structural abnormalities that do not respond to nonsurgical treatment with medication and therapy. The type of surgery depends on the cause of the pain and the patient’s medical history. A doctor will also evaluate the potential risks and benefits of the surgery or procedure.
Surgery may be an option for people suffering from:
· severe, ongoing pain with structural abnormalities
· nerve compression, which causes muscle weakness
· spinal cord compression, which restricts daily activities
The type of procedure and overall health of the patient determines the recovery time.
5. Alternative treatment
Alternative treatments that help to relieve back pain include:
· Acupuncture (Chinese practice using needles to reduce pain).
· Massage therapy (For back pain caused by overtired muscles).
· Chiropractic care (Manipulation of the spine and surrounding tissues. Professionals use their hands to massage the spine and muscles).
· Relaxation techniques (such as Yoga).
Consult your doctor before undergoing any alternative or complementary treatment.
How to prevent and live with back pain?
Living with back pain can be difficult. Most people get relief within a few weeks. Follow these tips to help ease back pain and recover when it happens:
· To manage back pain, gradually incorporate exercises approved by your doctor and try to avoid activities that may worsen it.
· Pick comfortable and supportive shoes with a low heels.
· Stretch regularly to improve blood circulation in those muscles and lower the risk of back pain.
· Take breaks from prolonged sitting; get up, move around, and change positions often.
· Use some support behind your back when driving long distances.
· Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees, or on your back with a pillow under your knees. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
· Avoid carrying too much weight, it can stress your neck and spine. Carry weight with your legs and abdominal muscles and do not use your back. Try to hold the object close to your body.
· Maintain a healthy weight and eat a nutritious diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.
· Always Practice good posture.
· Distract yourself to cope with the pain and stay active.
Outlook for back pain
Back pain is a common health problem that affects millions of people. Most people get recover from back pain within a few weeks. Only for a small percentage, back pain may become chronic and need medical supervision.
People who have suffered from back pain and want to avoid another episode can take steps to prevent it. Maintaining a routine of stretching, yoga, and strength training can improve the strength and durability of your back and abdominal muscles.
Take Action
So there you have it. I want you to follow these strategies to cure and prevent back pain to live a better life.
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Thanks for your valuable time!
