Back pain is discomfort that affects the spine, muscles, nerves, and tissues from the neck down to the buttocks. It can manifest as a dull ache or a sharp pain. However, this condition may limit your mobility and negatively impact your quality of life.
Anatomy of the Spine
The spine is a bony structure that starts at the base of the skull and extends to the lower back. However, a healthy spine has a natural curve forming an S-shape, providing flexibility and stability.
- It has 33 vertebrates stacked onto each other.
- Intervertebral disks cushion the vertebrae and work as a shock absorber to protect the spine from injury.
- The spine comprises several facet joints, spinal nerves, and soft tissues.
Moreover, the spine plays a crucial role in supporting the body. However, it undergoes wear and tear, putting it at risk of injuries and damage. Any misalignment in its natural curvature can cause arthritis, herniated disk, sciatica, and muscle strain.
Acute vs Chronic Pain
Acute pain is sudden and sharp, usually caused by an injury, illness, or surgery. It is a signal of tissue damage. This pain lasts less than a few weeks and goes away once the underlying cause is treated. However, many factors, including nerve damage, an oversensitive nervous system, and arthritis, can cause chronic pain. It can last months or years and continue even if the injury or illness has been treated.
Both types of pain have different symptoms, and their treatment is based on the underlying causes. In acute pain, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or surgery are used. Hot and cold compresses also help relieve inflammation. In chronic pain, treatment may include lifestyle changes, weight management, stress management, and physical activity.
Common Types of Back Pain
Structural or muscular imbalances can cause back pain, as can some underlying conditions. Our spine has a natural curvature. Any misalignment in this curvature can compress nerves or rupture a disc, increasing tension in the spine and causing back pain. The following are the major types of back pain or the conditions that cause backache.
Muscle Strain Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Approaches
Muscle strain is a tear in the fiber of a muscle. It is excruciating and accompanied by symptoms of bruising and weakness. It is common in people who play sports or are active. It can happen even if you are not active. When we overuse a muscle, a muscle fiber overstretches and tears apart. The symptoms of muscle strain are as follows.
- Pain
- Discoloration
- Weakness
- Swelling
- Muscle spasm
To treat muscle strain at home, rest from the physical activity that strained your muscles, apply ice to the affected area, and elevate the strained muscle above your heart.
Disc Herniation Management and Treatment
Disc herniation occurs when a soft, jelly-like material is pushed out of the disk. It primarily happens in the lower back and can cause weakness and numbness in the legs regardless of location. Most people do not experience any symptoms of disc herniation, and for those who do, the symptoms tend to improve with time.
Disc herniation typically improves over time. Various noninvasive methods, such as heat and cold therapy, pain relievers, and massage therapy, can help relieve pain. If you experience severe symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention.
Degenerative Disc Disease Causes and Symptoms
Certain people experience spinal degeneration after age 40. The spine undergoes some wear and tear. The cushioning of disks wears away and rubs bones together, which can cause excruciating pain. The primary reason for DDD is the drying out of the disk or spinal injuries that damage the disk. Degenerative disk pain can worsen after some activity, such as bending or twisting the spine. It can be moderate or severe. DDD primarily affects the neck and lower back region.
With appropriate treatment, pain management is possible. Severe DDD needs immediate medical attention, so you should seek professional assistance.
Sciatica and Back Pain
Sciatica is characterized by discomfort in the buttocks and radiating down toward the legs. It can also lead to a tingling sensation in the legs. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed, resulting in pain at the nerve’s root and back pain. Common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Numbness in the legs
- Muscle weakness
- Pain in one leg
- Sharp, shooting pain
Initially, sciatica is treated with conservative methods such as rest, exercise, and pain relievers. If the condition worsens, a surgical procedure is required. KKT treatment is one of the leading noninvasive treatments for diagnosing this condition.
Spondylolisthesis, A Type of Backache
This is a condition in which one vertebra slips out of the spine and disrupts the spinal alignment, pressing down on the vertebrae below it. It causes lower back pain, sciatica, difficulty standing or walking, and numbness.
This condition can be treated by restoring the spine’s normal position. Physical therapy, corticosteroids, and a brace are also recommended.
Preventive Measure
Taking preventive measures reduces the risk of developing any types of back pain. Maintain an upright posture while working and avoid slouching. Develop a habit of exercising regularly, as it keeps you active and energized throughout the day. Be mindful of your daily nutrient intake, stay hydrated, and quit smoking.
If you enjoy smoking cigarettes, beware of its hazards; it causes more damage than the pleasure it provides. Smoking reduces the water content of discs, making them dehydrated and vulnerable to damage, which increases the risk of backache.
Treatment Options to Relieve Back Pain
Several treatment options are available to relieve back pain, including physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and a healthy diet. It is advisable to explore alternative treatments to alleviate your pain. Surgery can be considered if these options do not provide relief, but it should be viewed as a last resort. Following are the ways to treat back pain.
- Medications: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and antidepressants help relieve pain. You must ask your doctor first before taking any medicines.
- Physical Therapy improves muscle function, promotes relaxation, and reduces inflammation. It has proven effective in relieving pain. Physical therapy tailored to individual needs and performed under expert supervision proves beneficial.
- Surgical Interventions: Various surgical interventions are available, but they are done when no other treatment methods help and pain persists. Surgical procedures are the most invasive procedures, and doctors recommend them when you have tried all the conservative methods to treat chronic back pain.
KKT Orthopedic Spine Center provides a revolutionary, noninvasive treatment for back pain. Using Canadian-based technology, the spine’s natural curvature is restored, strengthening the ligaments and back muscles. Moreover, it releases the proteins that boost spinal health.
Book your appointment with KKT Orthopedic Spine Center.
Conclusion
The spine provides support and flexibility to the whole body. Experiencing back pain is normal, and most people experience it at some point in their lives. It can be relieved with medications or may resolve on its own after a few weeks. However, if this pain lasts longer than three months, you must seek medical care.
It’s not inevitable to experience backache or joint pain as you age. Pay attention to the symptoms of backache, as they are often due to underlying conditions. By making some lifestyle changes, you can enjoy a pain-free aging process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are different types of back pain?
Back pain is a common illness, and most people experience it at some point. When this condition persists longer, it is caused by underlying conditions such as a herniated disk, spondylosis, muscle strain, or sciatica. All these spinal complications are the significant causes of back pain.
What are the symptoms of back pain you should never, ever ignore?
Back pain accompanied by the
- Loss of bladder
- Sharp shooting pain
- Numbness in legs
- Back pain after injury