Back pain is one of the most common problems faced by people around the world today. Back pain results from various different factors and each case of is unique. Minor cases of back pain can be cured within a few weeks with minimal treatment while major problems might even need surgery and post-operative rehabilitation to get better. Thus pain needs proper diagnosis before treatment can commence and no matter what the causes are, proper orthopedic treatment of back pain is a must for complete recovery. Types of back pain can be a result of a number of different factors. The most common among these are:
- Mechanical Problems – These are issues that are a result of lack of relaxation, proper alignment and balance in the back region. Typically, these take time to build up and usual symptoms include tension in the back, spasms and degeneration, deterioration and breakdown of joints.
- Impact Damage and Injuries – A large number of cases of back pain happen as a result of injuries. Accident falls from a height and impact damage contributes in a major way to being the root causes of the pain. Injuries can also cause sprains, bruising and fractures in the back.
- Acquired Conditions – These are diseases that contribute to back pain which include arthritis, osteoarthritis, abnormally curved spinal column and some other conditions. Fatigue, lack of rest and repetitive stress can cause circumstance which lead to severe back pain.
If your back pain lasts for three months or longer, then it falls in the category of “chronic” pain. Some people have pain that seems to never stop. Other people have flare-ups followed by temporary relief… before the pain sets in again. Even if you notice the pain coming and going, it’s important to talk to a specialist about potential treatment options.
Back Pain Symptoms
Often, you will notice symptoms in the spinal area specifically. But these symptoms can vary from one patient to the next and might radiate into other parts of the body.
Here are a few of the most common back pain symptoms:
- Aching
- Shooting or radiating
- Stabbing
- Burning
Notice if the pain radiates into the legs or arms. Also, pay attention to the movements that cause the pain to worsen. For example, the intensity might worsen with twisting, bending, standing, lifting or walking.
Spinal Structure: Elements Contributing to Back Pain
Back pain can be linked to many various tissues and bones in the spinal area. The back consists of soft tissue and hard tissue, with small changes having a domino effect resulting in chronic or acute pain.
If you are experiencing pain in your back, it could be related to the vertebrae, discs between the vertebrae, nerves, muscles, ligaments, skin and more. Most of the time, the pain is related to a structural problem:
- Bulging or Ruptured Discs: The spinal column is cushioned by discs that protect the bones from rubbing together. If these discs are bulging or ruptured, then they can cause back pain because of the added pressure on the nerves.
- Arthritis: When osteoarthritis develops, it can affect the spinal cord in several ways. One common problem is spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the spinal cord.
- Infection: If there is a warm, tender area of the spine, then it could potentially be an infection in that area of the back.
- Cancer: The growth of a tumor can put pressure on a nerve, causing the development of spine pain.
- Spinal Curvature: Scoliosis is one possible cause of a curve in the spine. If the spine alignment curves to the side, then it can result in back pain.
Sometimes, spinal pain is affected by underlying issues affecting the organs nearby. For example, a kidney infection or kidney stones can cause back pain.
Higher Risk of Back Pain
Even though people of all ages can be affected by back pain, the risk of this problem increases with age. As people get older, the likelihood of developing back pain increases due to degenerative diseases or old injuries.
These are some of the most common risk factors that can lead to back pain:
- Aging: Patients between 30 and 60 years old have the highest risk of disc-related conditions. If you are over the age of 60, then there is a higher risk of pain caused by osteoarthritis.
- Lifestyle: Living a sedentary lifestyle increases the likelihood of low back pain. If you don’t exercise regularly, then your risk of severe back pain goes up.
- Weight: When a person is overweight, it places more pressure on the low back and lower extremity joints. Losing weight can decrease this stress to help with back pain treatment.
- Genetics: Some doctors suggest that certain spine conditions are related to genetic factors. For example, it’s common for degenerative disc disease to run in families.
- Job Hazards: Are you regularly lifting, bending and on your feet all day? Back pain is common in certain occupations, such as nurses and construction workers. Computer-based work can also take a toll on the lower back because you are sitting in the same position for hours each day.
- Posture: Consider the position of your spine throughout the day. Prolonged poor posture can take a toll, such as hunching over the steering wheel, slouching at the computer or improper lifting and twisting.
When you visit an orthopedic doctor, the goal is to identify the cause of your pain and identify a potential treatment plan. Additionally, we work to understand the underlying risk factors and issues that could be contributing to the problem. Proactively addressing these problems can help to prevent back pain in the future.
Home Remedies for Back Pain
Minor discomfort and back pain often improve gradually with time. If you notice that your back is sore, then identify the underlying causes that could be affecting the development of this pain. Simple solutions can have a noticeable impact on reducing discomfort and inflammation.
For example, if you notice that your back pain increases after a long day at work, consider the movements that aggravate your pain. Taking a break to stretch can reduce the pressure and have a positive impact on reducing your discomfort.
Other home remedies include:
- Ice or heat to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation
- Over-the-counter pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications
- Lifestyle changes to reduce the strain and pressure on the spine
- A regular exercise routine focusing on core strength to support the spine
- Weight loss if obesity is contributing to back pain
Try these at-home remedies to see if you can reduce the pain. If the discomfort persists, then it might be time to talk to a doctor about treatment options.
Should You See a Doctor About Back Pain?
When is it time to book an appointment due to your back pain? If you are experiencing back pain, then don’t hesitate to reach out to us at OrthoTexas for an appointment. As with other types of injuries, early intervention can increase the long-term prognosis.
Pay attention to the timeline and severity of your back pain. These are a few indications that you might need to talk to an orthopedic doctor for diagnosis and treatment:
- Pain persists for more than a few weeks
- Back pain after a fall, injury or accident
- Back pain doesn’t improve with rest
- Severe pain that limits daily activities
- Numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs
- Radiating back into one or both legs
- Pain associated with unexplained weight loss
Sometimes, back pain is accompanied by other symptoms that indicate a potentially serious medical problem. If you also have a fever or new bowel/bladder problems, it’s essential to talk to a doctor immediately.
When to seek orthopedic treatment
For minor cases of back pain, a few days of rest might ease the pain. However, if the pain is severe or does not go away you should consult an orthopedic surgeon. In case of accidents or falls it is imperative that you go for orthopedic care immediately to get the problem diagnosed and commence treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for back pain usually starts off with the correct diagnosis of the causes and factors contributing to the pain, and the correct identification of the condition. As an aid to this, intense physical examination can be done coupled with diagnostic tests like x-rays, CT scans and MRIs. Depending on the condition and the severity of the symptoms your orthopedic doctor will either opt for non-surgical measures to heal the condition or make use of surgical techniques to heal the pain. Rest, immobilization, application of heat and ice, and physical therapy may be useful in certain cases, while cases that need surgery, the doctor will advise proper post-surgery rehabilitation.
Identifying the Cause of Your Back Pain
The most important thing you can do is identify a specific diagnosis, then the root problem can be corrected.
Some of the most common causes of back pain include:
- Age: Many people find that they experience back pain more frequently when they get older.
- Stenosis: If the spinal canal narrows, then it can increase the risk of nerve pain.
- Cartilage: Arthritis of the spine can cause the cartilage inside the spine to thin gradually.
- Injury: A recent injury can cause immediate, intense pain. Or, you might have chronic pain from an old injury.
- Discs: When a disc is bulging or herniated, it can cause pressure that leads to pain.
- Myofascial Pain: A condition known as “myofascial pain syndrome” can result in unexplained tenderness and muscle pain.
Even when you are working with an experienced back pain specialist, sometimes it can be a challenge to find a specific diagnosis. Pinpointing the cause of the pain can be a complicated process.
When the source of the pain can’t be identified, then your doctor will work with you on making the situation more manageable by reducing your pain and reducing the flare-ups as much as possible.
Before rushing into a treatment or surgery, it’s important to explore your options and try non-surgical recommendations to see if you can alleviate the pain.
Non-Surgical Back Pain Treatments
Here is an overview of the most common non-surgical treatments for chronic back pain:
- Physical Therapy: Exercising and stretching can be helpful for back pain treatment – but only if you are consistent with these practices. Maintaining your recommended exercises at home will determine whether the treatment is successful. Physical therapy can help by strengthening the muscles, improving flexibility, strengthening the core and retraining your posture.
- Ice and Heat: You might experience immediate relief by applying ice or heat to the affected area of the back. Ice reduces inflammation caused by an injury. Heat can help to relax the muscles and increase blood flow. Start with ice for a few days, then switch to heat.
- Lifestyle: What are the activities in your lifestyle that are contributing to your back pain flare-ups? For example, if you find that your back pain is worse after sitting at the computer for work, then you might need to reconsider your ergonomics. Or, take a break when vacuuming or mowing the lawn if you notice that your pain flares during these activities. Pay attention to the activities that happen before your back pain flares, so you can change your habits.
- Sleeping: Did you know that your sleeping position plays a big role in the development of back pain? Sometimes the solution can be as simple as upgrading your old mattress. Also, try sleeping in a different position, with pillows to support the knees so your spine stays in a neutral position.
- Injections: Certain types of medications can be injected into the injured area for treatment. For example, steroid injections or nerve blocks can be used for chronic back pain. They help for a short amount of time but don’t offer a long-term solution.
- Medications: Certain over-the-counter or prescription medications can be helpful for pain management. Examples include muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics. Since medications might cause side effects or addiction, it’s not recommended that they are used for an extended period of time.
Should You Talk to a Spine Surgeon About Back Pain?
If you’ve tried the non-invasive treatments listed above without success, then it might be time to talk to a spine surgeon about your treatment options.
Surgery isn’t always the right option for every patient. But you should be open to exploring your options if the pain doesn’t go away.
A spine surgeon will assess your condition, determine the potential cause of the pain, then offer recommendations based on whether you are a good candidate for surgery.
Often, other symptoms corresponding to the back pain could indicate that you need surgery such as:
- Bladder or bowel issues
- Limb weakness
- Balance and gait problems
- Weakening muscles
- Numbness or tingling in the extremities (arms or legs)
- A herniated disc that isn’t improving
- Stenosis
Most spine surgeries are treatments for chronic pain issues. But there are circumstances when emergency surgeries are needed because of injury or a sudden onset of symptoms.
Just because you have serious, chronic back pain doesn’t mean that surgery will be required. Surgery is never the only option for treating pain. When you talk to a spine surgeon, the doctor will first talk to you about other less-invasive treatment options before discussing the possibility of back surgery.
When surgery is being considered, you need to evaluate the potential benefits with the possible risks of the treatment. Often, these surgical methods can be helpful in managing chronic pain. But, as with any type of surgery, there are always risks associated with the treatment. Your surgeon will take the time to discuss your individual circumstances and identify the best treatment plan going forward.