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Back pain is one of the most common medical conditions affecting young and old people across the globe.
The common causes of back pain can include:
The causes of back pain can be either due to an injury, exaggerated activity, or any medical condition which affects the lumbar spine, the intervertebral disc, or the hip.
Lower back pain is limited to the lower part of the back, which may be limited to the posterior hip region or may present as one radiating down on either a single leg or both legs, referred to as radiculopathy.
One may experience a sharp or dull aching pain in the back area. The common presentations include:
Certain features associated with lower back pain are called Red Flag signs. If one experiences these signs and a lower back ache, they should immediately consult a doctor. These signs include:
Common causes of back pain include:
The doctor may perform a thorough physical exam to check for signs and symptoms of back pain and may order imaging scans and other tests to identify the root cause of the back pain. These may include:
Depending on the condition and type of back pain, the doctor may suggest the following treatment:
To minimize back pain, the doctor may prescribe NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or some muscle relaxants if associated with spasms of the back muscles.
Epidural injections: If other methods do not help decrease back pain, the doctor may inject an anti-inflammatory drug in the epidural space around the spinal cord. The injection helps relieve inflammation around the nerve, though it is not a permanent solution and generally lasts for one or two months.
Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can help relieve back pain by using different techniques. Physical therapy helps strengthen the back muscles, increases flexibility, and helps improve posture.
Alternative Therapies: There are some alternative therapies that may help to reduce back pain, including:
In rare cases, surgery may be the only option to treat back pain. The surgery is usually performed for those with structural abnormalities, spinal cord stenosis or PIVD when other treatments have failed to respond.
The following factors may increase the risk of developing back pain.
Here are some ways through which one can prevent back pain:
Reviewed by Dr. Chandeep Singh, Associate Director - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, on 29-Dec-2022.
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 4800+ eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Find a Doctor