Back Pain and Pain Management
Back pain is one of the common problems that can become chronic if not treated. Moreover, it’s crucial to take this pain seriously so that you can treat it before it gets worse.
Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain can be extremely painful for some people. It can range from burning or shooting sensations to muscle aching. Not to mention, this pain can even transfer to your leg and becomes worse when you lift, twist, bend, stand, or walk. You can treat mild backache through home remedies and self-care. However, for chronic pain, you need treatment by a doctor.
Consult a doctor if the pain:
· Is consistent and troubling you for weeks
· Is chronic and doesn’t go away with rest
· Spreads to your both or one leg
· Causes tingling, numbness, or weakness in both or one leg
· Causes extreme weight loss
In rare cases, your back pain can be a sign of severe health conditions. Rush to the doctor in the following cases:
· If the pain is causing a fever
· It is accompanied by bladder or bowel problems
· Happens because of the injury
Causes of Back Pain
Several issues in your spine, like osteoporosis, can cause back pain. Your back has a complex structure of ligaments, discs, muscles, bones, and tendons, which support each other to help your body in different work and move around. The spine also has segments covered with a cartilage-like part, known as discs.
Any of these elements can cause back pain. In some cases, doctors even fail to find the primary reason for the pain. The following are some of the causes of having pain.
Strain
Commonly, this pain occurs because of injury, tension, and strain. The causes are:
· Muscles tension
· Muscles spasm
· Strained ligaments or muscles
· Damaged discs
· Falls, injuries, or fractures
Activities that can cause spasms or strains are:
· Lifting a heavy thing
· Lifting something in the wrong way
· Making an awkward or abrupt movement
Structural Problems
The different structural problems can also lead to back pain, which includes:
Bulging Discs
Bulging discs can cause great pressure on your nerve, causing pain in your back.
Ruptured Discs
The vertebra in your spine is cushioned like a structure called discs. When discs rupture, it causes pressure on your nerve, giving you extreme back pain.
Sciatica
A shooting and sharp pain can travel to your buttock and leg, which occurs by a herniated and bulging disc pressing on your nerve.
Osteoporosis
Bones in your spine, such as vertebrae, can become porous and brittle. This can make you vulnerable to compression fractures.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis can result in several problems in your lower back, joints in the hips, and other parts of the body. In worst cases, it narrows the spaces around the spinal cord, known as spinal stenosis.
Abnormal Spine’s Curvature
If an individual's spine curves in a different way other than usual, they may have to suffer from backache. For instance, in scoliosis, the spine curves to one side.
Kidney Problems
Kidney infection or kidney stones can also lead to pain.
Posture and Movement
It is a common problem in this tech world. People usually face pain because of their unusual movement and position. For instance, sitting in a hunched position when using laptops can lead to serious shoulder and back issues over time.
Back issues can also result from everyday poor posture and activities. This includes:
· Sneezing or coughing
· Twisting
· Muscle tension
· Lifting, pulling, pushing, or carrying something
· Bending for a long time
· Bending awkwardly
· Sitting or standing for long periods
· Straining the neck in the forward position, such as using a computer or driving
· Driving continuously for a long session without a break
· sleeping on a mattress that is not suitable for your body
Treatment
Fortunately, by using home treatment and rest, you can resolve back problems. In some cases, it also goes away with time. However, some chronic problems need medical assistance. Read more to understand how you can treat your pain.
Home Treatments
Over-the-counter or OTC pain relief medication, for instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can give you relief from discomfort. The most common OTC is ibuprofen. Using an ice pack or hot compress to apply in that area can also reduce pain.
You can also rest and avoid strenuous activity for some time. However, moving around can reduce pain, ease stiffness, and support muscles.
Medical Treatment
When home treatment doesn’t work on the patients, health professionals recommend physical therapy, medication, or both to relieve pain.
Medication
If you are still having pain after taking an OTC painkiller, your doctor may prescribe you NSAID. Hydrocodone or Codeine is narcotics, which you may need to take for short periods. But your doctor closely monitors its effects on your body and mind. Additionally, muscle relaxants are another option for the pain.
Your health provider may prescribe you antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. However, this medication still needs some evidence to prove its effects on back problems.
Physical Therapy
Applying ice and heat and using electric stimulation and ultrasound are the primary ways of physical therapy. Doctors may also suggest muscle relaxation techniques to apply to the soft tissues and back muscles. When your pain improves to some extent, your therapist may use some strength and flexibility exercises or activities for abdominal and back muscles. Methods to improve posture are also one of the ways used in physical therapy.
The patients need to practice these activities or methods daily, even when the pain gets resolved, to prevent the re-emergence of pain.
Cortisone Injections
If you do not witness any results, your health provider will suggest you administer cortisone injection in your epidural space around the spinal cord. This injection is an anti-inflammatory drug and helps to elevate inflammation in your nerve roots. Doctors also inject these injections in areas where you have pain.
Botox
Botox is helpful to reduce pain. They paralyze your muscles in spasm. However, these injections can give you ease for only a few months.
Traction
Weights and pulleys cause a stretching effect on the back, which is great in this problem. This helps to move the herniated disc back to its right position. It also elevates pain, but only during the process.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
It can help you deal with chronic pain by promoting different ways of thinking. It includes methods to maintain positive behaviors and relaxation techniques. It is the most effective way than others and makes patients more active.
Surgery
Surgery is an uncommon method and is usually used in chronic conditions. Patients need surgery if they have a herniated disc, especially if they are having continuously severe pain and nerve compression. Surgery becomes crucial at this stage, as this problem can weak your muscles.
Some surgical procedures are:
Fusion
In this process, the surgeon connects two vertebrae together by inserting a bone graft between them. They use metal cages, plates, or screws to join the vertebrae.
Artificial Disc
The surgeon inserts an artificial disc in your back to replace the cushions around the vertebrae.
Discectomy
If a part of the disc is pressing or irritating a nerve, your doctor may remove it.
Removing a Vertebra
Your surgeon may remove a small portion of a vertebra if it’s irritating a spinal cord or nerve.
Prevention of Back Pain
You can prevent back pain or avoid its re-emergence by boosting your physical condition. To keep your back strong and healthy, the following methods can help.
Do Exercises
Doing aerobic activities regularly that don't jolt or strain your back can improve your back's endurance and strength. It also helps your muscles to function properly. You can also go swimming or walking for this purpose.
Maintain Healthy Weight
Obesity and overweight can strain your back muscles. Cutting down some fats can help you ease your pain.
Quit Smoking
Smoking makes you vulnerable to back pain. The risk rises with your consumption level of cigarettes. Quitting smoking can alleviate pain.
Besides, try to avoid posture or movement that can strain your back. Do the following things.
Stand Smart
If you need to stand for long hours, put your one foot on a low footstool so that your back can get less pressure for some time. Keep changing your feet while doing this.
Sit Smart
Bring a seat that has a good arm set, lower back support, and swivel base. Placing a rolled towel or pillow behind your back helps you maintain its curve shape. Keep your hips and knees at the same level. Change your position at least half an hour.
Lift Smart
Try to avoid lifting heavy things. If you need to lift heavy stuff, give this work to your leg. Keep your back straight, and don't twist. Bend through your knees only. Grab the item close to your body and lift it.
Bottom Line
Back pain mostly occurs because of your posture or strain on your nerve. Try to avoid all the possible things that can cause pain, even if you don’t have developed this problem yet. This will keep you healthy and strong.
Sources
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172943
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906
https://www.healthline.com/health/back-pain
https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/topics/everyday-healthy-living/safety/prevent-back-pain