Dan Joseph Magno

Back pain Back pain is a very common condition affecting millions of adults worldwide. It is so common that almost all adults experience it at least once. Although back pain is often associated with aging, both young and older adults can have it.1 Many adults dismiss back pain into terms like ‘back aches’ or ‘back issues’ as if they were headaches or colds. Most do not understand that back pain is a significant health problem because it causes disability, reduced work performance, and causes severe discomfort. Some cases of back pain may cause severe changes in lifestyle and mobility.2 You can do something to treat or even prevent back pain. Simple remedies like rest can relieve bouts of back pain. Home treatments are often helpful in relieving back pain over time.3 Back pain is best managed by specialist doctors called orthopedics.4 Doctors may prescribe medications for persistent back pain and it is given on a case-to-case basis. In most cases, back surgery is not needed.5 Symptoms Back pain symptoms often strike suddenly and without warning. Back pain symptoms include:6 Shooting or stabbing pain, or Sharp and dull pain in the back Sensation of ‘knot’ or tight spot on the back Muscle ache Back pain can be vague or well defined. Along with those symptoms, some patients also experience the following: Pain or numbness that radiates down to the buttocks, hip, and the thigh; it may radiate on one or both legs Weakness or tingling in one or both legs Sudden inability to move or flex the back Severe cases of back pain may cause additional symptoms. You need to see a doctor right away if you have the following: Pain that radiates down to your knees Fever Sudden loss of bladder control If you are older than 50 years, you also need to visit your doctor right away if you experience back pain for the first time. You also need doctor’s help for back pain if you have other health problems such as osteoporosis, history of cancer, drug abuse, smoking, alcoholism, or taking steroid medications. Some people with back pain have certain triggers such as: Improper posture when standing, sitting, or lifting Strenuous activities like heavy or repetitive lifting, or exposure to vibration for extended periods Overuse of the neck, shoulder, or lower back In some cases, doing everyday activities Causes The exact causes back pain, in most cases, is hard to determine, even with the use of very modern technology.7 The spine is made up of many bones, muscles, and connective tissues, and has plenty of nerve, and blood vessel innervations. There are also different organ systems near the spine. If something goes wrong in these areas, it can give you back pain. Here are the conditions associated with back pain. If you have any of these conditions, it could be worth your time to see a doctor to prevent likelihood or reduce discomfort caused by back pain:8 Injury or ears in the muscles or ligaments in the spine Some of the muscles or ligaments in the spine can sustain an injury that causes back pain. This is often caused by heavy lifting, repetitive lifting, or improper posture. That can cause the fibers in the muscles or ligament to be stretched beyond the normal range of motion and result in tears. If left untreated, the constant strain may cause the injured muscle or ligament to undergo painful spasms. Ruptured or bulging of spinal disks The interverbral disks, popularly known as spinal disks, are located between each bone of your spine. Spinal disks have a soft material inside it, and it works by absorbing shocks and giving your spine a degree of flexibility. Sometimes, one or more of the spinal disks can bulge or rupture, causing it to press on a nerve and cause back pain. Sometimes, bulging or ruptured spinal disks can occur without causing back pain at all. Some may incidentally found that they have ruptured a spinal disk after an x-ray of the spine. Osteoporosis Back pain is often a result of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle, which causes some of the bones of the spine to crack and result to back pain. The risk of having osteoporosis rises as you become older, and that is a reason why individuals over 50 years with back pain should see their doctors right away. Problems in the spine itself Spine problems like scoliosis may cause back pain, though it only does so if it is severe. Scoliosis causes the spine to curve abnormally, often sideways. Arthritis The spine can be affected by arthritis that can result to back pain. Arthritis can cause the spine to become inflamed and less flexible. Some cases of arthritis cause narrowing of the tiny holes in the spine where blood vessels and nerves pass through, resulting to back pain.