Back pain is one of the most common health problems. We want to familiarize you with the causes of its occurrence and teach you what to do when you have back pain.
There is probably no such person in the world who has never had back pain at least once in their life. Back pain can be dull and persistent, or it can be sharp and sudden, forcing you to measure every movement. It can start abruptly if you fall or lift something too heavy, or it progresses slowly, preventing you from living a fulfilling life.
Factors that increase the risk of back pain
Everyone is immune to back pain, but there are certain factors that increase the risk of back pain:
- Age.The older you get, the more back pain you have. Back pain usually first occurs when you are 30 or 40 years old.
- Poor physical condition.Back pain is more common in inactive and sedentary people.
- Overweight.Eating a diet high in calories and fat can cause you to gain weight. Too much weight puts more stress on the spine, causing pain.
- Heredity.There are hereditary diseases, one of the symptoms of which is back pain, for example ankylosing spondylitis.
- Other illnesses.Certain types of arthritis and cancer can also cause back pain.
- Your work.If your job constantly requires serious physical exertion, lifting weights, or you have to spend several hours in an awkward position, the result may be back pain. If you work at your desk all day without sitting up straight, your back will also hurt.
- Smoking.If you smoke, your body is unable to get enough of the nutrients it needs for your bones, resulting in a gradual loss of spine strength and reduced flexibility. A smoker's cough can also cause back pain.
What are the reasons?
There are many causes of back pain. Sometimes the pain can be caused by mechanical reasons such as:
- Spasms of the back muscles.
- Spinal contusion.
- Stretching the muscles.
- Extracting disks.
- Fall from a height.
- Fractures of the spine.
Back pain can manifest as one of the symptoms of some diseases and conditions, such as:
- Scoliosis of the spine.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Arthritis.
- Stenosis.
- Pregnancy.
- Kidney stones.
- Infections.
- Endometriosis.
- Fibromyalgia.
Other possible causes of back pain are infection, swelling, or stress.
How to prevent back pain?
The best thing you can do to prevent back pain:
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your back muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight. To have strong bones, you need to get enough calcium and vitamin D every day.
- Maintain correct posture, do not lean or lean.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects. If you cannot do without lifting weights, do it correctly: bend your legs and keep your back straight, place the load in the center of the body, not on the side, and press the load against the body, and do notdo not wear it on outstretched arms. When lowering a heavy object, continue to keep your back straight, squat, and then lower the weight. You need to get up slowly and carefully after these manipulations, because after the weight transfer the spine is vulnerable.
When to see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you have:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Severe pain that gradually gets worse and does not respond to treatment.
- The pain occurred after a fall or an injury.
The pain is accompanied by one of the following symptoms:
- Problems with urination.
- Weakness.
- Numbness in the legs.
- Fever.
- Lose weight without dieting.
What diagnostic methods are used for back pain?
To diagnose back pain, the doctor will ask you detailed questions about the course and nature of the pain and perform an examination. After the exam, he will order other tests, such as:
- Radiography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Computed tomography (CT).
- Blood tests.
Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. Very often, the cause of back pain remains unclear.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
The sharp pain starts quickly and lasts no more than 6 weeks. It is the most common type of back pain. Sharp pain can be caused by things like falling while playing soccer or lifting heavy objects. Chronic pain lasts more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
How to cure?
The treatment for back pain depends on the type of pain you are experiencing. Acute back pain usually goes away on its own without treatment, but you can take pain relievers for pain relief. Exercise and surgery are not commonly used to treat acute back pain.
Here are some of the treatments for chronic back pain:
Hot or cold compresses (or both)
Hot or cold compresses can ease pain and relieve tension in your back. Heat can reduce muscle spasms. The cold helps reduce swelling, swelling, and tenderness. Using hot or cold compresses can reduce pain, but this treatment will not address the underlying cause of chronic back pain.
Special exercises
Appropriate exercise can help relieve chronic pain, but should not be used for acute back pain. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you determine the right exercises for your situation.
Drugs
The main drugs used for back pain are:
- Pain medication.
- Pain relieving creams and ointments are applied to the skin at the site of pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which can reduce pain and swelling. NSAIDs include brand name drugs. Your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs for you.
- Muscle relaxants and some antidepressants can help with some types of chronic back pain, but this is very individual.
Behavior change
Learn how to lift heavy objects correctly to reduce the strain on your back. Make a Lifestyle Change: Eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, purchasing a quality orthopedic mattress, and going for a swim can all help reduce back pain.
Injections
Your doctor may suggest injections of steroids or topical pain relievers for pain relief.
Alternative treatments
Some unconventional therapies can work well. The most common methods are:
- Manual therapy.Chiropractors have techniques to help relieve chronic back pain over the long term. However, it should be remembered that even if your doctor is a magician and was able to relieve the pain in a few sessions, it is necessary to seriously strengthen the muscles of the back so that this pain does not return.
- Acupuncture.Chinese medicine uses fine needles to relieve pain and restore health. Acupuncture can be effective when used as part of a comprehensive low back pain treatment plan.
- Acupressure.The therapist applies pressure to specific areas of the body to relieve pain. The effectiveness of acupressure for back pain is not well understood.
Surgical treatment
Most people with chronic back pain do not need surgery. This is usually the last resort and is used if other treatments don't work. The operation may be necessary if you have:
- Herniated disc.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Spinal fractures.
- A fracture can be caused by a blow to the back or bone destruction due to osteoporosis.
- Degenerative disc disease.
As we get older, the intervertebral discs can start to break down and cause severe pain.
Rarely, when back pain is caused by a tumor, infection, or nerve root problem called cauda equina syndrome, surgery is needed right away to relieve the pain and prevent further problems.