Back Pain Treatment, Diagnosis, Causes, & Symptoms

Overview

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:

Mechanical back pain: The pathology lies in the muscles or the bones of the lower back region or the intervertebral disc.
Non-mechanical back pain: There is a progressive loss of sensation or any weakness in muscle power, which may be due to long-standing comorbidities such as diabetes or neuropathy.

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:

Stiffness in the back area
Restricted motion
Inability to maintain a proper erect posture
Muscle spasms
Persistent pain which limits daily activity

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:

Weight loss
Fever
Swelling on the back
Pain radiating down the legs
Numbness around the lower back
Loss or reduced power in movement of lower limbs
Loss of control of bowel movements

Common causes of back pain include:

Muscle strain: It is one of the most common causes of back pain in young adults. With repeated heavy lifting or sudden movement, the back muscles can be strained, which then can cause pain during movement.
Injury: Back pain can also result from an injury or trauma like a fall or road traffic injury.
Structural problems: Back pain can also result from some structural changes in the lower back. Conditions like spinal stenosis, bulging discs, scoliosis, and more can cause chronic back pain.
Movement and Posture: Poor posture or poor gait can also result in back pain
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is one of the common causes of lower back pain; it occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage around the bone.
Tumours: Spinal tumours also cause back pain. In this condition, a spinal tumour compresses a nerve in the spinal cord, resulting in chronic back pain.

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:

X-rays: The doctor may order a spine x-ray to check whether the bones are aligned and whether the patient may have arthritis.
CT scan: This test is more specific for bony anatomy than an x-ray and may be advised if x-rays are inconclusive.
MRI Scan: An MRI scan is specifically for the ligaments, soft tissue, and nerves than an x-ray or a CT scan.
Electromyography (EMG): This test measures the nerves' electric impulses and the muscles' response. The test helps detect nerve compression, which may occur due to herniated discs or spinal canal stenosis.

Depending on the condition and type of back pain, the doctor may suggest the following treatment:

Medications

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.

Therapy

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:

Acupuncture: The procedure has been shown to have a good response to back pain combined with medication and physical therapy.
Yoga: Different yoga positions and poses have proved to relieve back pain and improve the posture of individuals.

Surgery

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.

Age
Obesity
Poor physical fitness
Smoking
Awkward movements
Medical conditions
A sedentary lifestyle
Occupational activities
Structural problems
Mental health

Here are some ways through which one can prevent back pain:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet and maintaining an active lifestyle can prevent back pain.
Maintain a healthy weight: People who are obese are generally at a higher risk of developing back pain. This is why it is essential to maintain the BMI index of the body to prevent this condition.
Quit smoking: Smokers are at a higher risk of back pain than non-smokers. So, one must quit smoking to prevent back pain and other severe conditions.
Strengthen the muscles: Exercise regularly to increase the strength and endurance of the back muscle.
Maintain good posture: Maintaining a good posture will help to reduce the risk of developing back pain.
Use proper lifting techniques: Avoid heavy lifting, if possible, to avoid chances of getting back pain.

Max Healthcare is one of the leading hospitals which provides a second opinion about spinal surgery and back pain hospital. Book an online appointment and get treatment for back muscle pain from the best back pain hospital in Delhi NCR.

The outlook for patients with back pain is generally favourable. With the right treatments, most of the episodes of back pain go away with time.

Reviewed by Dr. Chandeep Singh, Associate Director - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement, on 29-Dec-2022.

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