Understanding Back Pain: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Back pain is physical discomfort in the spine or lower back. It can affect people of different age groups. It may occur due to strain in a muscle or ligament.
For many people, this is not a very serious problem, but lower back pain may be problematic in some cases;
- We can strain our backs in everyday activities
- Lower back pain can also affect people of old age
- It can sometimes not be a disorder
- It usually results in some problems like ligaments, nerves, and the spine, that have vertebrae
- 90% of the pain can be cured without surgery or doctor
- If these increase, then they have to consult the doctor
Types
Six distinct types of body pain are categorized according to the specific area of the back they affect. Refer to the details provided below:
Herniated Disc
- A herniated disc can be a sudden strain on your back.
- It can occur as age-related degeneration.
- Lifting heavy weights is the reason for the sudden strain.
- Being overweight can lead to herniated discs.
- This strain can be cured by doing daily exercises that will help strengthen your back.
Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces in the spine become very narrow.
- It may cause some pressure on the spinal cord.
- Spinal stenosis can mainly occur in the lower back or neck.
- Age groups above 50 may face this problem regularly.
- It has no symptoms, but some may experience pain, weakness, and numbness in their backs due to spinal pressure.
- People who have suffered an injury or accident can get this back pain.
Scoliosis
- Scoliosis is a curvature in the spinal cord that may be seen at birth or in later childhood.
- Generally, girls are diagnosed with this pain more than boys.
- The healthy spinal nerve always has a front-to-back curve, but people with scoliosis have sideways spines.
- Scoliosis can cause weight gain or increased stress.
- The disease may cause problems at a young age as the problem becomes worse.
Thoracic Back Pain
- A disorder in the upper back region may cause thoracic back pain.
- It can cause neck, middle, and lower back pain.
- The symptoms can include fever, uncontrollable weight, nerve pain, and physical trauma.
- If anybody gets thoracic back pain because of any recent trauma, then they may consult a doctor.
Middle Back Pain
- Middle back pain occurs above the lumbar region and below the rib cage.
- It’s very difficult to identify the symptoms of middle back pain; sometimes, people may be frustrated.
- Middle back pain has a major chance of increasing obesity and a lack of physical activity.
Causes
Many factors can cause back discomfort. The human body is very complex and may not support lifting objects with heavy weights. In some cases, the reason for these pain remains unclear.
- It commonly occurs from strain, tension, or injury.
- Some frequently occurring back aches are muscle spasms, muscle tension, or damaged nerves.
- Injuries and fractures can cause significant back ache.
- Strains can occur due to heavy lifting or not lifting them in the right way.
Some of the higher risks that can be seen while having these pain:
- Sciatica radiates pain along the sciatic nerve, which branches from the lower back to the hips and down the leg. It mainly affects only one side of the body.
- Arthritis can be felt in the joints, i.e., in the hips, lower back, and knee.
- Some abnormal curves in the spine can lead to back pain.
- Osteoporosis occurs if we have a weak bone and some fractures.
- Kidney stones can also sometimes give you back pain.
Our body is formed so that even a movement and posture can cause high back pain. Poor posture may also cause pain.
Some postures that will give you severe back pain are:
- Twisting of your body
- Stress
- Overstretching of your body may give you this pain.
- Lifting of some heavyweight
- Sitting in one posture for a more extended period
- It can occur after long drives.
This pain is associated with certain elevated hazards, which include:
- Lack of physical fitness
- Overweight
- Excess smoking
- Some genetic problem
- Getting older
It will occur more in women than men. It happens because of hormonal factors and also too much stress, anxiety, and disorders in the mood.
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Get A Second OpinionBack Pain Types, Causes and Symptoms
| Types | Causes | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Herniated Disc |
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| Spinal Stenosis |
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| Scoliosis |
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| Thoracic |
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What are the Signs of Back Pain?
The common symptoms that can be found are severe pain in the back and legs, which occurs when there is a serious problem in the nerve.
Mostly, the pain goes without any treatment, but if there is some serious issue in the back, consulting a doctor would be a better option. Symptoms are;
- Heavyweight
- Inflammation in back
- Severe leg pains
- Injury or trauma on the spinal cord or back
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Book an AppointmentDiagnosis
- When you go to visit a doctor, the first thing to do is to determine the symptoms of your back pain. Further, they will prescribe you some painkillers.
- If the pain continues after taking medicines, the doctor will ask you to have an X-ray. Usually, this happens when there is a severe injury to the back.
- An X-ray and MRI scan would give you all the information about your tissues.
- Seeking the advice of a physical therapist is another diagnosis that can treat your pain without the need for drugs. The physio will help you fix your soft tissues.
When Should One Visit a Doctor?
You don't need to see a doctor if you have occasional bloating or gas. However, it can be very serious and even life-threatening, with certain conditions that cause bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
It is so important to consult with your doctor if:
- Difficulty walking or moving your legs.
- Loss of bowel or bladder function.
- Loss of feeling in the legs.
- Very intense pain
- A doctor can offer appropriate treatment recommendations and assist you in determining possible reasons of back discomfort.
Treatment Options
Find the list of activities that help to reduce and treat back pain;
- You can get rid of your back ache by exercising.
- When it comes to back discomfort, walking and swimming can be helpful.
- Eating some healthy food and working on your weight may give you relief.
- Changing your postures at regular intervals.
- Avoid sitting for a long time.
- Try to avoid lifting heavy things.
- Back discomfort can be relieved by rubbing some essential oils over your back.
- Heat and ice therapy can relieve pain.
- Improving body postures can also relieve body tissues.
- Sometimes, just taking home remedies can relieve pain.
- Back discomfort may occasionally result from ligament cramping that women who wear high-heeled shoes may experience. Don't use them.
- You can practice yoga for 15 minutes in various positions to help with back discomfort.
- Those who wish to treat their back discomfort could do yoga and exercise on a daily basis.
Home Remedies
For those seeking relief from back pain, these simple and accessible home remedies are within your reach and may provide the relief you're looking for.
- Gently massaging a sore or tense muscle.
- People with back issues can benefit from exercise.
- Specific exercises, such as walking on level ground, standing bends, and cobra posture, are known to reduce symptoms.
- Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel directly to the back can decrease inflammation.
- A heating pad can also relieve stiff or painful muscles.
- Inadequate sleep, improperly sized pillows, or an uncomfortable mattress can all contribute to back ache.
- For both the prevention of back discomfort in the morning and for the quality of sleep, proper comfort and back alignment are crucial.
- Make sure the pillow is big enough to keep the back and neck in a straight line. If you are sleeping on your side, place an extra pillow between your knees.
- Stress can lead to muscle strain and painful spasms, including in the back.
- Let's say that a traumatic incident or prolonged stress appears to be the source of the pain in your back. In that case, a person can try stress-relief techniques to manage or reduce stress;
- Mindfulness meditation
- Deep breathing
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Guided imagery
- Yoga
- Improve your posture to reduce back ache.
