What is it really?
Understand the cause of your back pain and seek appropriate treatment.
Back pain is very common to most people, with the majority being in the lower back. It is one of the main reasons why people go to the doctor or miss work. The pain can be in any location along the spine, the bones, the muscles, and the shock-absorbing discs. The pain can range in intensity from mild to severe.
Who is at risk of back pain?
Anyone can develop a back pain, even children and teens. There are factors that put you at greater risk of developing back pain including age, being overweight or obese, smoking, type of work you do, and psychological conditions. Lack of exercise is also a factor because of the weak and unused muscles in your back. Lifting with poor form can also lead to a stressed back – always use your legs instead of your back when lifting heavy things. Diseases such as arthritis and cancer can also be big contributors.
Why your back hurts
Sometimes, the pain seems to come on for no apparent reason. It’s usually just a result of poor posture or unhealthy lifestyle.
The most common cause of back pain is due to muscular strains. The wrong twist or pull can leave you in excruciating pain for days and even weeks. In this case, the pain usually gets better over time.
Ligamentous sprains are another common cause of pain. This occurs when the ligaments of the back are stretched beyond their means. Sprains often occur along with muscular strains.
Degeneration of the spine, arthritis, osteoporosis, and bulging or ruptured discs also cause pain in your back. These can be symptoms of a medical condition as well. Common conditions associated with back pain include:
- Spinal fractures
- Scoliosis
- Kidney ailments
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck sprains
- Infections
Why should you seek medical help?
Back pain is rarely life-threatening. However, if the pain is increasing in intensity, or lasts for several days without improvement, or becomes unbearable, it might be a sign of a more serious condition. When this happens, it is important that you seek medical attention right away.
Watch out for signs of something more serious.
You need to see a doctor if the pain you feel is new or different than a typical back pain, or is associated with one of the following:
- High fever
- Difficulty urinating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Numbness or tingling around the genitals and buttocks
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Swelling or deformity in the back
- If it started after an accident
Each condition is different.
At Advanced Health and Wellness Center, we treat each patient with customized solutions to eliminate back pain.
Why live in agony?
Get treated and enjoy life as you should!
