Chronic back pain affects many people across the world, potentially impacting their careers, social life, and even relationships. Back pain can be related to a range of conditions, injuries, and diseases, with each bringing its unique symptoms which can range in severity.
Many people just assume back pain is a problem that only affects older people and is something that a person just has to live with. This is not the case.
In this article, we will focus on understanding chronic back pain causes, symptoms, and treatment options to set readers on the road to recovery. In addition, we will also touch upon modern alternatives to traditional spinal surgeries.
What Causes Chronic Back Pain?
Throughout the world, back pain is one of the most common reasons why people miss work, potentially impacting their earnings and maybe even their chances of career progression. In severe cases, back pain can also worsen and develop into more severe conditions if left undiagnosed. Back pain could even indicate a life-threatening issue.
The good news is that several measures and treatments can help relieve back pain, and even prevent it altogether. The likelihood of recovery is increased further for people under the age of 60, with some people even finding sufficient relief in basic home treatments.
Surgery is rarely needed to cure back pain unless the pain is particularly severe and linked to a medical condition. Should you experience sustained episodes of back pain then you should consult with a medical professional who can diagnose the issue or refer you to the hospital for tests.
Below is a list of the five main causes of back pain:
- Muscle or Ligament Strains – Muscle and ligament strains can be caused by sudden and awkward movements, such as those experienced when heavy lifting or performing manual work. If a person applies excess strain on their spine regularly, then their muscles and ligaments are likely to degrade.
The chance of a strain can also be increased for people who are in poor physical condition, such as people who have been diagnosed with obesity or lack core strength.
- Herniated Discs – Herniated disks, sometimes referred to as bulging or ruptured discs are another common cause of back pain. The discs are soft pieces of tissue that sit between the bones in the spine (the vertebrae), acting as shock absorbers whenever a person moves.
This soft tissue is protected by a harder outer casing, but over time, the tissue can bulge out of this casing and come into contact with the surrounding nerves or spinal cord. Some people who have a herniated disc experience no pain or symptoms at all, while others may require a discectomy (specialist surgery) to fix the problem. Degenerative disk disease is the most common cause of herniated discs.
- Arthritis – Osteoarthritis can affect any bone joints in the body, including the lower back. This condition is caused by the wearing down of the tissues in the joint, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This can be very painful but the condition can also go unnoticed for some people.
Osteoarthritis in the back can also lead to spinal stenosis, a condition that involves the narrowing of the spinal canal, causing compression of the spinal cord and nerves.
- Osteoporosis – This is a bone disease that develops when a person lacks bone density in certain parts of the body. This leads to the bones becoming porous and brittle, increasing the chances of fractures and breaks. Spinal fractures can be extremely painful and potentially have significant long-term effects.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis – Also known as axial spondyloarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that can result in the vertebrae fusing, leading to a person losing flexibility in the back. As well as a lack of mobility, this condition can cause various symptoms that include chronic back pain.
Chronic Back Pain: Symptoms
Back pain can come in different forms, with common symptoms ranging from:
- Aching
- Shooting or stabbing pains
- A burning sensation
- Tingling
- Pain that radiates down the leg and buttocks
- Pain that worsens when standing, lifting objects, walking, or twisting
You should visit a doctor if the pain doesn’t ease with rest and home treatments and persists for a few weeks.
The pain could indicate a serious medical problem if it is accompanied by:
- Weakness or numbness in one or both legs
- Unexplained weight loss
- A loss of bladder or bowel control
- A fever
Treatments for Chronic Back Pain
There are a number of ways to treat chronic back pain and in this section, we will outline 7 effective methods.
- Physical therapy or exercising at home, including yoga or pilates to strengthen your core, boost flexibility, and improve posture.
- Meditation or mindfulness techniques improve your mental well-being, helping to alleviate any frustration or depression that is caused by persistent back pain. Improving your mental health can also have a knock-on effect on your physical health.
- Amending lifestyle habits to better look after your body. This can include walking more, avoiding heavy lifting, or taking the time to stand and stretch when you have been working at a computer for long hours.
- Changing your diet to eat healthier and lose weight. Carrying excess weight applies additional pressure on your spine, causing it to deteriorate. Back pain is a common problem for people who are diagnosed with obesity.
- Pain-killing injections can help people manage back pain and live a normal life. This can include trigger point injections, epidural steroid injections, or nerve blockers.
- Consider alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, biofeedback therapy, or electrical nerve stimulation.
- Over-the-counter or prescribed medication is the most common method for alleviating back pain. You may consider taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants.
Back Pain Surgeries
The type of back surgery your doctor will recommend would be dependent on the type of condition, disease, or injury you have.
Common back surgeries include:
- Laminectomies/ Spinal Decompression
- Discectomies
- Spinal Fusion
- Vertebroplasties
- Kyphoplasties
- Plasma disc decompression
- Artificial disc replacement
You may also consider a mechanical spinal device, such as the TOPS System, as an effective alternative to spinal fusion, avoiding some of the issues that are often associated with traditional surgeries.
This advanced implant provides a range of benefits that include:
- Faster recovery times
- No restrictions on mobility in the spine
- Less chance of degradation to adjacent vertebrae
Thank you for reading. We hope this article has provided some valuable insight into chronic back pain and how it can be treated.