Back Pain
Also known as lumbago, back pain is generally a symptom of different medical problems. Back pain can result due to various reasons – activity, injury or underlying medical conditions. It can affect people of any age however, the risk of developing back pain increases as people get older. This might be due to degenerative disk disease or previous occupation.
Lower back pain might be linked to the spinal cord, bony lumbar spine, ligaments around the discs and spine, nerves, abdominal and pelvic internal organs, lower back muscles, the skin around the lumbar area, and the discs between the vertebrae. Upper back pain might be due to tumours in the chest, spine inflammation, and disorders of the aorta.
Causes
The back consists of lots of components and is a complex structure. It is composed of ligaments, muscles, tendons, bones, and discs that are designed to work together to enable humans to move around. If there is a problem with any of these components, back pain can occur. In some cases, the cause of back pain remains unclear. Mostly, it occurs due to strain, poor posture, and medical conditions.
- Strain – The most common reasons for back pain include injuries, strain, or tension. Muscle spasms, injuries, fractures, muscle tension, falls and strained muscles and ligaments are frequent causes of back pain. Activities such as making abrupt or awkward movements, lifting heavy objects, and lifting objects improperly can lead to strain on the back.
- Movement and posture – Sitting in a hunched position while using the computer can lead to back and shoulder issues gradually. Back pain can also result from poor posture and everyday activities such as coughing, sneezing, bending awkwardly, over-stretching, muscle tension, sitting or standing for long periods, long driving sessions without a break, sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t keep your spine straight and twisting.
Structural Issues
Various structural issues can result in back pain, including –
- Arthritis
- Bulging disks
- Osteoporosis
- Ruptured disks
- Sciatica
- Abnormal spine curvature
- Kidney problems
Other Causes
Back pain might also occur due to other causes such as –
- Spine cancer
- Sleep disorders
- Shingles
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Spinal infection
- Other infections
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain or an ache anywhere in the back. In some cases, the pain can radiate down to the legs and buttocks too. Depending on the nerves affected due to back issues, pain can also occur in other body parts. Sometimes, the pain subsides on its own without any treatment but one should consult their doctor if they experience other symptoms along with back pain, including -
- Fever
- Pain down the legs
- Swelling or inflammation on the back
- Weight loss
- Injury or blow to the back
- Pain reaching below knees
- Persistent back pain that doesn’t subside even after resting or lying down
- Numbness around the buttocks, anus, or genitals
- Urinary incontinence
- Loss of control over bowel movements
- Faecal incontinence
Treatment
Generally, back pain resolves with rest and can be treated with home remedies. However, in some cases, treatment is necessary.
Various treatment options for back pain include –
- Home remedies – To reduce pain, apply a hot compress or an ice pack to the site of pain. Over-the-counter medication as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might also help relieve pain.
- Medical treatment – If home remedies do not work, your doctor might recommend medication and physical therapy.
- Surgery – Although rare, surgeries such as artificial disk, fusion, diskectomy or partial removal of a vertebra might be performed to relieve back pain.
Diagnosis
Back pain can be diagnosed by physical examination of the area of pain along with questions regarding symptoms and medical history. If back pain is due to an injury or underlying cause and is persistent, other imaging tests such as X-rays, bone scans, EMG, MRI, and CT scans might also be performed.
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