Back pain is one of the common reasons why people look for professional advice to manage their pain. Back pain can affect children of any age.
The severity of back pain can range from a mild, continuous ache to a sudden, sharp, or shooting agony. The onset of back pain can follow after an accident or weight-lifting, or it can increase gradually as we become older. Inadequate warm-up followed by a vigorous workout might also cause back pain.
Back pain is classified into two types:
Acute or short-term back pain can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In normal cases, it should go away completely within a few days. In other situations, it takes several months for the symptoms to go away. Chronic back pain is medically defined as the pain that lasts for 12 weeks after an original injury.
Even if pain persists, this does not always indicate the presence of a significant underlying cause or condition that is easily detected and treated. The treatment successfully resolves persistent low back pain in some individuals, but pain may persist in others despite medicinal and surgical treatment.
What structures make up the back?
The lower back, which is where most back pain develops, is made up of five vertebrae (L1-L5) in the lumbar region, which bears the weight of the upper body. The spaces between the vertebrae are maintained by spherical, rubbery pads called intervertebral discs, which operate as shock absorbers throughout the spinal column to cushion the bones when the body moves. Ligaments are bands of tissue that hold the vertebrae in place, while tendons connect the muscles to the spinal column. Thirty-one pairs of nerves are planted in the spinal cord that governs body motions as well as relay signals from the body to the brain.
What variables contribute to the development of low back pain?
Back pain can affect anyone. The following factors can raise the risk of low back pain:
- Age:
Back discomfort grows more common as one gets older. Loss of bone strength due to Osteoporosis can result in fractures, while muscle flexibility and tone decreases. Ageing causes intervertebral discs to lose fluid and flexibility, thus, reducing their ability to cushion the vertebrae.
- Fitness level:
People who are not physically fit are more likely to suffer from back discomfort. Having a weak back and weak abdominal muscles can prevent a strong support of the spine. People who go out and exercise a lot on weekends after being idle all week are more likely to have unpleasant back problems than people who engage in moderate physical activity on a daily basis. As per studies, low-impact aerobic exercise has been shown to help maintain the integrity of intervertebral discs.
- Weight gain:
Being overweight, obese, or rapidly gaining significant weight can put a strain on the spine and cause low back pain.
A few causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis (a kind of arthritis that includes a fusion of the spinal joints, resulting in spine immobility), have a genetic component.
Aspects of the job:
Working in a job that needs heavy lifting, pushing, or tugging, especially involving twisting the spine can result in injury and back pain. Working at a desk all day can cause pain, especially if you have bad posture or sit in a chair with insufficient back support.
- Anxiety
Anxiety and sadness can influence how much one concentrates on their discomfort and how serious they perceive it to be. Chronic pain might also lead to the development of such psychological issues. Stress can have a variety of effects on the body, including generating muscle tension. Stress and psychological well-being can all affect the chances of back pain.
- Smoking
Smoking can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the discs, leading them to degenerate more quickly.
Nonsurgical Treatments for Chronic Back Pain
- Rehabilitation Therapy
The best solution to get rid of chronic back pain is exercising. You should visit a spine physical therapist to be tested for this. Experts say that the same set of workouts may not work for everyone. Home workouts also help soothe back pain.
Physical treatment for chronic back pain may include the following:
- Meditation and mindfulness
Chronic back pain is both physically and emotionally taxing. You may be referred to a rehabilitation psychologist to help you deal with the frustration, impatience, sadness, and other psychological components of living with chronic pain. The physician may offer meditation, yoga, and other cognitive and relaxation treatments to keep your mind from focusing on pain
- Diet
Some diets, particularly those high in trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods aggravate inflammatory responses in the body. A consultation with your doctor can determine whether your diet is contributing to your persistent back pain and how you may change it. Pressure on the spine can be relieved by maintaining a healthy weight.
- Changes in Lifestyle
When suffering from chronic pain, it is critical to accept and adjust to your restrictions. Avoid activities that may aggravate your discomfort. This may not only make your back feel better, but it may also prevent the underlying disease from worsening. Another crucial lifestyle modification to consider is quitting smoking. Cigarette smoking is proven to amplify pain and slow healing.
- Treatments via Injection
For chronic back pain, nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, nerve ablations and other injection-based therapies are offered. Some treatments can be ruled out once the source of the pain is understood. Injections may temporarily relieve or reduce pain, but they are not meant to be long-term remedies and should not be taken in isolation.
- Alternative Therapies
Therapies like acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy, laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and other nonsurgical treatments for pain can help relieve low back pain. A consultation with a spine specialist about other treatments that may be beneficial to you.
Pharmacological Treatments
Analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and other medications can be used to treat chronic back pain. However, the majority have negative side effects and are not recommended for long-term use.
Many of them are addictive and do not treat the root cause of your discomfort. A professional must provide a complete examination before prescribing Opioids and after all other medications have failed to offer relief. If you are reliant on opioids to get through the day, it is time to seek a second viewpoint.
One such pain relief spray or gel that can assist alleviate pain and provide quick relief is Omnigel. This pain relief gel contains Diclofenac, one of the most often used chemicals for pain treatment, as well as anti-inflammatory effects. Omnigel not only provides immediate pain relief but also aids in the reduction of inflammation due to its rapid effect. Always keep handy Omnigel pain relief spray and Omnigel ointment for quick relief from back pain and muscle ache.
