Back pain has a significant impact on the quality of life, and this damage and its severity also affect the choice of treatment. Read the article to know more.
Back pain, especially lower back pain, is one of the most common medical complaints. About two-thirds of us will suffer from back pain at some point, and in 85% of cases a specific cause is not found despite a careful medical examination.
Back pain has a significant impact on the quality of life, and this damage and its severity also affect the choice of treatment.
Injury factors and risk opportunities
Back pain affects both men and women, but there are factors that increase the chances of infection, as it is more visible among:
They usually appear for the first time between the ages of 30-50 years.
Smokers and overweight people.
The elderly and workers in professions that require prolonged sitting or physical labor.
Causes of back pain
It is important to distinguish between back pain caused by a problem in the back, and back pain that is associated with another problem that may affect the back – the abdominal organs, pelvis and chest. There are major sources of back pain, namely:
1. Nervous source
Back pain originating from the nervous system, usually caused by a hernia or a protruding disc (a structure between the vertebrae in the back that acts as a “shock buffer”), tends to be sharp and affects a specific area.
If the pain is accompanied by a sense of numbness in the leg area, which is affected by the affected nerve, this situation is called sciatica.
Disc herniation develops with age, when the discs atrophy and become more and more thin. The central part of the disc, which is made of a kind of gelatinous substance, protrudes through the thin disc and presses on the nerve root.
At the age of 30, the process of atrophy of the discs between the vertebrae begins, but only in a few cases this leads to back pain.
2. Muscular source
Back pain as a result of muscle stiffness. This condition is usually caused by improper heavy lifting, improper sleeping position or sudden movement.
Such muscle contraction can lead to restricted movement and back pain, centered on a specific muscle group.
3. Skeletal abnormalities
If the structure of the spine is incorrect, back pain may occur. These situations can occur on two levels:
Anterior – posterior: when the normal curvature of the spine (lordosis and kyphosis) is exaggerated.
Side: Scoliosis – a condition in which a curvature of the spine develops to one side.
4. Other specific medical conditions
Another condition that may cause back pain, which results from damage to the skeletal structure, is osteoporosis. In this case, some pressure may appear in the vertebrae of the spine.
There are also many phenomena that can cause back pain, such as:
Appendicitis.
heart attack
Kidney disease.
Urinary tract infection and others.
5. Possible but uncommon causes
There are also other conditions that are less common causes of back pain, namely:
Horsetail syndrome This is an emergency condition in which pressure occurs on the spinal cord itself, causing pain, numbness and problems with bladder control.
Cancerous tumor in the spine.
Spinal infection.
Arthritis. Degenerative joint disease most often affects the pelvic joints, knees, hands and lower back.
Back pain treatments
There are several procedures and treatments that help relieve back pain, here are the most important of them:
1. Lifestyle changes
Your doctor may advise you on the following:
Sleeping with a pillow between the legs, on the side, may be more comfortable and less painful
Another recommended position is sleeping on the back with a pillow under the knees.
Rest. Most experts recommend limiting your usual activities for no more than 48 hours.
Be aware: Excessive resting will prolong the recovery period and can lead to complications such as blood clots in the legs. Return to normal activities as soon as possible.
2. Treating back pain with medication
The doctor may prescribe the following medications to control the condition:
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen).
Steroids – only in certain cases.
3. Treating back pain with surgery
Surgery is only recommended in rare cases, such as ponytail syndrome or sciatica.
You should keep in mind that initial treatment is based on the assumption that about 90% of back pain cases go away on their own within a month.
Cases that require a doctor’s consultation
Cases that require immediate medical attention:
Back pain after trauma, such as a fall from a height, road accidents, and the like.
In people over the age of 70 years.
Cancers, present or past.
A recent infection in a body part.
fever.
When the pain is in the state of rest more than in the state of activity.
Unexplained weight loss.
incontinence.
No improvement despite medical treatment.
Things not recommended for back pain
Medications that cause muscle relaxation are not usually recommended for treating back pain, because these drugs have not proven to be more effective than the group of anti-inflammatory drugs, and it has not even been proven that there is a preference when combining the two groups together.