Back pain? haven’t we all suffered from it at some point in our lives, you probably have it right now, as you read through this blog.
Though most of us suffer from frequent back pains, it becomes an increasingly concerning issue when it is chronic, especially for elderly people who suffer from chronic back pain.
Worry no more as we dive into this article and try to understand what causes back pain and how to cure it.
Table of contents
Chronic back pain is defined as pain that affects one’s back and usually persists for 1 week or longer, even after an injury or underlying cause of acute lower back pain.
Chronic back can be a debiliating condition, affecting one’s daily activities and quality of life. It can be a constant or intermittent, and the severity can range from a dull, constant ache or shooting pain.
Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors such as:
Usually, this happens due to back muscle or spinal ligaments due to strain caused by either performing several heavy lifts or shifting suddenly and awkwardly. If one is out of shape, strain to the back can be painful and it continues to be so when one suffers from muscle spasms.
Discs are semi-circular structures which help to provide a spring like action between the bones of the spine or the vertebrae. Sometimes the soft tissues contained in the disc can herniate or rupture and apply pressure on the nerve that is located within the spinal column, resulting in back pain.
The term ‘arthritis’ used in the text refers to osteoarthritis, and the disease can affect the lower back. Arthritis on spine may cause a reduction of the space around the spinal nerve, a situation known as spinal stenosis.
Another in which your spine curves to the side (scoliosis) also causes pains back but these do not arise until middle aged.
They need to be strong because if they turn out to be porous and brittle, your vertebrae can develop painful fractures.
The accumulated effect of poor posture for years and years is that the back muscles constantly have to work at maintaining body erect, which can irritate nerves and cause a long-term backache.
Any kind of sports injuries, car accidents as well as fall are potential sources of back trouble.
One or more diseases may lead to or enhance back pain risk; these include kidney stone formation or infection, endometriosis, and fibromyalgia.
Sometimes such a patient can also get a muscle relaxant if the mild to moderate back pain does not respond to OTC pain relievers.
Lotions, pastes or gels, creams, salves or ointments that are applied on the skin where they are rubbed in.
A physical therapist may help you find stretches that can be done to help increase your flexibility as well as to figure out how you can build up the muscles of your back and abdomen to help support your spine.
Heat and Cold: Switching between ice packs and heating pads should help to reduce the amount of discomfort.
Studies show that walking and stretching for an instance, can be more effective in reducing the pain as compared to mere lying down in a bed.
Some other treatment measures include administration of cortisone for inflammation around the nerve roots in order to ease the pain.
Surgery may be advised when the patient has chronic back pain because of structural issues such as a bulging disc or narrowing of the spinal canal in spinal stenosis.These interventions can vary from diskectomy, laminectomy or spinal fusion.
Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic care which is the adjusting of the spine is known to have a positive effect on back pain.
Acupuncture: It is accepted that some individuals may get supplementations through acupuncture.
Massage Therapy: Massage can reach the muscular tension and can aid circulation of blood to the affected areas.
Persistent pain, therefore, can act as a trigger for the onset of psychological disorders like depression and anxiety or worsen a pre-existing condition. Psychological treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may also help to address the psychiatric components of chronic back pain.
Chronic back pain is a common and long-lasting disorder that affects a person’s functioning and might be a part of his or her life. Learning about the potential factors behind back discomfort and getting remedial action taken can assist with dealing with the effects of the pain and enhance maneuverability. Generally, it requires medication, physiotherapy, modification of diet and other activities, and occasionally surgery intervention. If both physical and psychological treatments are considered when it comes to chronic back pain, a patient can eventually have a better quality of life and deal with the pain and restrictions imposed on him.
Consult your physician to avoid conditions such as chronic back pain through habitual exercise, proper weight, good posture and no twisting or heavy lifting.
As long it is done in moderation and is properly consulted wiht your doctor it is safe.
If you experience severe pain that radiates down one or both legs, pain that causes weakness, numbness or tingling in your legs.