Back pain is one of the most common health problems. We want to introduce you to the causes of its occurrence and teach you what to do when your back hurts.
Probably, there is no such person in the world who has never had back pain at least once in his life. Back pain can be dull and persistent, or it can be acute and sudden, causing you to measure every movement. It can start suddenly if you fall or lift something very heavy, or it progresses slowly, making it impossible for you to lead a fulfilling life.
Factors that increase the risk of back pain
Everyone is immune to back pain, but there are several factors that increase the risk of back pain:
- Age.Your back hurts more often, the older you get. Back pain usually occurs for the first time when you are in your 30s and 40s.
- Poor physical condition.Back pain is more common in people who are inactive and sedentary.
- Overweight.A high-calorie, high-fat diet can help you gain weight. Excess weight puts more stress on the back, causing pain.
- Inheritance.There are inherited diseases, one of the symptoms of which is back pain, for example, ankylosing spondylitis.
- Other diseases.Certain types of arthritis and cancer can also cause back pain.
- Your work.If your job constantly requires serious physical effort, weight lifting, or you have to spend several hours in an uncomfortable position - the result can be back pain. If you work at your desk all day without sitting on your feet, your back will also hurt.
- Smoking.If you smoke, your body is unable to get the nutrients it needs for your bones, resulting in a gradual loss of spinal 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 pain can be caused by mechanical causes like:
- Back muscle spasms.
- Spinal contusion.
- Muscle extension.
- Pulling discs.
- Falls from a height.
- Spinal fractures.
Back pain can appear as one of the symptoms of certain diseases and conditions, such as:
- Spinal scoliosis.
- Spondylolisthesis. Arthritis.
- Stenosis.
- Pregnancy.
- Kidney stones.
- Infections.
- Endometriosis.
- Fibromyalgia.
Other possible causes of back pain are infections, 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.
- Keep the correct posture, do not dive and do not bend.
- Avoid lifting heavy weights. If you can not do without lifting weights, then do well: bend your legs and keep your back straight, place the load in the center of the body and not sideways and press the load against the body and do not hold it in the outstretched arms. When lowering a heavy object, keep your back straight, sit down, and then lower your weight. You need to get up after these manipulations slowly and carefully, because after the transfer of weights, the spine is vulnerable.
When to see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you have:
- Numbness or tingling sensation.
- Severe pain that gradually worsens and does not respond to any treatment.
- Pain occurred after a fall or injury.
Pain is accompanied by one of the following symptoms:
- Problems with urination.
- Weakness.
- Numbness in the legs.
- Ethe.
- Losing weight while not dieting.
What diagnostic methods are used when the back hurts?
To diagnose back pain, your doctor will ask you in detail 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. Too often, the cause of back pain remains unclear.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts no more than 6 weeks. This is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain can be caused by things like falling while playing football or lifting heavy objects. Chronic pain lasts more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
How to recover?
Treatment for back pain depends on the type of pain you have. Acute back pain usually goes away on its own without treatment, but you can take pain relievers to relieve the pain. Exercises and surgery are not commonly used to treat acute back pain.
Below are some of the treatments for chronic back pain:
Hot or cold compresses (or both)
Hot or cold compresses can relieve pain and relieve tension in the back. Heat can reduce muscle spasms. Cooling helps to reduce swelling, swelling and tenderness. The use of hot or cold compresses can reduce pain, but this treatment will not address the underlying cause of chronic back pain.
Special Exercises
Proper exercise can help relieve chronic pain, but should not be used for acute back pain. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you determine which exercises are right for your situation.
Medications
Below are the main medications used for back pain:
- Painkillers.
- Pain relieving creams and oils are rubbed into the skin over the sore spot.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can reduce pain and swelling. NSAIDs include brand name drugs. Your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs.
- 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 properly to reduce strain on your back. Making a Lifestyle Change: Eating healthy, quitting smoking, buying a quality orthopedic mattress, and going swimming can all help reduce back pain.
Injections
Your doctor may suggest injections of steroids or daytime pain relievers to relieve the pain.Alternative treatments
Some unconventional therapies may work well. The most common of these methods are:
- Manual therapy.Chiropractors have techniques to help relieve chronic long-term back pain. 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 back muscles so that these pains do not return again.
- Acupuncture.Chinese medicine uses tiny needles to relieve pain and restore health. Acupuncture can be effective when used as part of a comprehensive back pain treatment plan.
- Acupressure.The therapist puts pressure on 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 an extreme method and is used if other treatments do not work. Surgery may be required if you have:
- Disc hernium.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Vertebral fractures.
- A fracture can be caused by a blow to the back or bone destruction due to osteoporosis.
- Degenerative disc disease.
As we age, intervertebral discs can begin to break down and cause severe pain.
Rarely, when back pain is caused by a tumor, infection, or a nerve root problem called cauda equina syndrome, surgery is needed immediately to relieve the pain and prevent new problems.