Back Pain

Back pain is a common problem that affects most people some time or the other. Read more about it here.

Back pain is one of the most common afflictions that strikes us, with eight out of ten people being affected by it at some time or the other in their lives. The pain can arise from various structures of the spine such as the joints, bones, nerves, or muscles. The severity can range from being a sharp, sudden pain to a constant, dull ache. It can remain at one spot, or spread to other parts of the back. Back pain may occur in the neck area and could spread into the arm, or it can strike in the upper back region, or affect the lower back, and spread into the leg. Apart from the pain, one may even feel weak, or a numb sensation.

Why is Back Pain Caused?

The back comprises of a complex structure made up of tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones, nerves, and discs, which are cartilaginous pads that occur between spinal segments. Back pain may develop from problems in any of these parts. The pain can radiate out to the arms and legs via the nerves that are found in the spine. Given below are some of the common causes of back pain.

Back Strain: The most common cause of back pain is strain in the muscles and the ligaments either due to a sudden movement or lifting heavy objects. Sometimes back pain may be caused by a spasm in the muscles.

Herniated or Ruptured Discs: A hernia of the spinal disc can compress the spinal nerve, thus causing back pain. This usually occurs due to lifting something heavy suddenly or extended vibratory sensation such as experienced by users of some types of machines, or truck drivers. In case the ruptured disc compresses the main nerve that goes into the leg, it leads to sciatica.

Spinal Stenosis: This usually affects those who are 50 years and above. It involves the spinal canal becoming narrow due to an enlargement of the cartilage of the joints because of changes brought about by arthritis, bony spurs, and thickening of the ligaments in the spinal canal.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis too usually affects people over 50, and occurs in the lower back, knees, hands, and hips. Sometimes, osteoarthritis can lead to spinal stenosis.

Osteoporosis: This is one of the common causes of back pain which usually affects women, because of the bones becoming brittle or porous, making them more predisposed to fractures. The spinal bones are particularly affected by this.

Pregnancy: Most women experience back pain during pregnancy, which can occur at any time of the pregnancy, although it usually occurs during the later stages with the increase of the baby’s weight.

What is the Treatment for Back Pain?

The aim of the treatment is restoring the functioning of the back, strengthening it, and preventing the injury from occurring again. Usually, back pain can be treated by using over-the-counter medications along with prescription drugs for relieving pain and to decrease the inflammation.

Hot and cold compresses are also usually used to lessen the pain as well as inflammation. Resting can also help, although it is not recommended to stay in bed for too long, as that can exacerbate the problem. Exercises recommended by a physical therapist can often be one of the best ways to quicken the recovery, while helping to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen. A massage can also be helpful.

In case there is no improvement of the back pain after three days, you will need to consult a doctor. Medical attention should also be sought if the back pain is caused due to an injury.