If you have made it past 18, then you are probably no stranger to back pain. It can be quite an awful and debilitating experience. But what causes back pain? And could there be underlying risk factors making you more susceptible to back pain?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people need to call out of work and visit the doctor. Unfortunately, there are many back pain causes, but understanding these causes, the ways they can be treated, and prevention methods could help you stay pain free.
Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain can present in a variety of ways from muscle aches to a sharp, stabbing sensation in the back. Most of us have experienced some of the more common symptoms of back pain, including:
- A constant ache in the upper, middle, or lower area of the back, especially when standing or sitting still for long periods of time
- Aches anywhere along the spine from the neck to the tailbone
- Stiff and sore muscles
- Difficulty standing without pain and muscle spasms in the back
- A localized, sharp pain around the lower, middle, or upper portion of the back
- Pain that spreads down the back, buttocks, and back of the legs
When Should You See a Doctor
If you are displaying any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is never a bad idea to at least discuss the issue with a physician or surgeon, especially if your symptoms have persisted for longer than 2 weeks. However, there are some signs and symptoms of back pain that could indicate a more serious problem.
You should schedule an appointment with a back pain specialist if you are experiencing symptoms including:
- Pain or symptoms persisting for a few weeks
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in you arms, legs, or groin
- Pain running down your back and extending down your legs; this could be a sign of sciatica
- Back pain accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Intensifying pain if you cough or bend forward at the waist
Sometimes back pain can signal a very serious situation that requires emergency attention. Call for medical assistance immediately if:
- Your back pain leads to a loss of bladder or bowel control
- Pain is accompanied by a fever, a burning sensation while urinating, or frequent urination
- The pain was caused by a hard blow to the back or other serious injury
Common Back Pain Causes
As back pain can encompass a wide number of symptoms, so can it stem from a broad amount of causes. At times, back pain causes are not easily diagnosed through tests or imaging studies.
However, there are some common causes for back pain, such as , muscle strains, arthritis, sciatica, and others.
Muscle and Ligament Strains
A muscle or ligament strain happens when too much strain is placed on the body, causing the muscles or ligaments to tear under pressure. Muscle or ligament strains can occur from improperly lifting heavy objects, sports injuries, or sudden jarring movements. Strains can lead to back spasms and pain.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, a condition which deteriorates the cartilage between bones, is known to cause lower back pain. As the cartilage in the spine deteriorates, the vertebrae can begin to rub together, leading to uncomfortable pain. Osteoarthritis can also cause the spinal column to narrow, compressing the spinal cord. This is known as spinal stenosis.
Bulging or Ruptured Disc
The cushion in the body that prevents two vertebrae (bones of the spine) from rubbing against each other is known as a disc. When a spinal disc ruptures, the soft material inside can protrude or bulge between the spinal column, putting pressure on the nerves there. This can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the back and legs.
Sciatica
If you are experiencing pain that radiates from your back and travels down through your legs, this could be a sign of sciatica. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, a nerve that originates in the lower back and leads down the back of the leg to the foot, is compressed. This can lead to a numbing, burning, or tingling pain in your back and legs.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis of the spine is a disease that causes the bones of the spine to lose their density, making them weaker. As the bones become more brittle they are more susceptible to injury from minor impacts. This can lead to fractured or broken bones in the spine.
Treatment Options
When it comes to treatment options for back injuries, there are a number of treatments a patient can choose depending on the severity of their condition. However, it is recommended that all non-surgical options be exhausted before surgery is considered unless otherwise specified by a doctor.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Non-surgical treatments should always be the first line of defense against back pain. Often pain relief can be achieved without the need for going under the knife. Some great non-surgical treatment options are:
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy offers great benefits for back pain. A patient can work with a physical therapist to develop exercises and stretches that will help improve their pain and mobility. Physical therapists can often help diagnose the back pain causes and may even provide a nutrition plan to aid the recovery process.
Pain Medication: Another way back pain is typically treated is through pain medication. Pain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can help decrease pain and reduce inflammation. Combined with plenty of rest, pain medications can really help patients recover from back pain.
Epidural Steroid Injections: Epidural steroid injections are a safe, simple, non-surgical treatment option for back issues. A spinal surgeon locates the inflamed nerves in the epidural space of the spine using fluoroscopy. Once located, a steroid medication is injected into the area, reducing inflammation and easing pain.
Surgical Treatments
When non-surgical methods have proven unsuccessful or if your back condition is quite serious it may be time to consider surgical treatment options. Always be sure to discuss surgical treatments thoroughly with your surgeon to be sure you are a suitable candidate for surgery, and that you understand the risks involved. Surgical options include:
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Minimally invasive surgery is performed using tiny surgical tools, inserted through small incisions made in the skin. This type of surgery can be performed in an outpatient surgery center and often does not require patients to stay overnight.
Examples of minimally invasive surgeries are:
Major Surgery: Major surgery on the other hand typically involves larger incisions in order to perform the procedure. Another downside to major surgery is that recovery time is often longer and can be more difficult. Be sure to speak with your surgeon about minimally invasive options before considering major surgery.
Risk Factors for Back Problems
Back pain can happen to anyone at any age. However, there are certain factors that could put you at a higher risk for injury and developing back pain. Some of these risk factors include:
Age
Unfortunately, aging is one thing that cannot be prevented. We will all continue to get older the longer we live and with age can come a higher risk for health complications. Around age 30 to 40, back injuries begin to become more common.
Underlying Disease
Another contributing risk factor to back issues are underlying diseases. Conditions, such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, can lead to issues with the spine and pain radiating from the spine.
Obesity
Being overweight can also contribute to back pain. The added weight the body is carrying can put excess stress on the back muscles causing pain and a higher risk for injury.
Inactive Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk for back pain. When the muscles in the back and abdomen become weak from lack of exercise, they are more likely to strain and tear when stressed.
Improper Lifting
Lifting heavy objects without using proper form can place large amounts of stress on the muscles of the back. This can often lead to injuries and pain. Be sure to always lift with your legs and not your back.
Smoking
It should be no secret in this day and age that smoking is bad for you and puts you at higher risk for health complications. This includes back pain. Smoking is linked to a higher risk for osteoporosis and decreases blood flow to the spine. Smoking can cause extreme coughing which could lead to a herniated disc as well.
Psychological Conditions
It has been shown that people who suffer from psychological issues, such as depression or anxiety, have an increased likelihood for developing pain in the back.
Tips for Prevention
Now, just because you may be at greater risk for developing back pain does not mean there is nothing you can do to try and prevent back complications or improve existing pain. Here some great prevention tips to keep you healthy and pain free.
Strength and Conditioning Exercises
Keeping the muscles of the back and abdomen strong can play a big factor in preventing back injuries. Try to implement low-impact aerobic exercises to help improve strength and endurance in your back without performing jolting or straining movements. Swimming or walking can be great options.
Strength exercises to improve your core are great for developing strong back and abdominal muscles to help support the spine. By exercising regularly you can not only improve the strength and endurance of your back muscles, but also help maintain a healthy weight. This helps take excess pressure off the spine and back, decreasing the likelihood of injury.
Stop Smoking
Quitting smoking can be a very difficult thing to do, but it comes with a great number of benefits. Not only smoking, but the more often you smoke has been linked with a greater risk for back pain. Stopping can lower this risk and lower the risk for other health issues, such as lung cancer.
Think About Your Movements
One of the most common ways people injure their backs is by improperly lifting heavy objects or performing jerky movements. When lifting heavy objects, always be sure to lift with your legs not your back. Keep your back straight, bend at the knees not the waist as you go down to pick an object up, and keep the object close to the body as you lift it up.
Practicing good posture when you are standing or sitting can also help to reduce stress placed on the back. When standing, always try to stand with your back straight and the spine in a neutral position. If you must stand for a long period of time, try alternating placing a foot on a raised stool to help take pressure off the lower back.
When sitting, choose a seat with good back support and armrests if possible. You want to try and sit up straight, maintaining the natural curve in your spine. A pillow placed at the small of the back can help achieve this. Also, be sure to change positions or stand every 30 minutes or so. This can help relieve pressure from building in the back.
