What is Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for a trip to the doctor, but the specifics can vary greatly. While lumbar back pain tends to be the most prevalent, presenting in the lower back, pain in the upper spine and neck are commonly seen too.
Whether caused by poor posture, a joint condition, or an injury to one of the 33 vertebrae – it’s highly likely that you will experience back pain at some point or another during your life, limiting your mobility, preventing sleep, and more.
So, whether you’re dealing with an injury or you’re in chronic pain, speaking to a medical professional can help you return to being pain-free.
What Are the Symptoms of Back Pain?
Because back pain is such a broad reaching term, we must note that some will be short term and can often be treated at home. How do you know if your back pain can be self-treated? Think: a minor fall or accident has happened, or you’ve had a busy day lifting heavy objects or putting pressure on your back with exercise.
It may be necessary to seek medical intervention if the pain then doesn’t subside. Other symptoms that indicate the need for examination may be:
- Numbness, weakness or tingling
- Muscle spasms
- Burning pains
What Causes Back Pain?
There’s a whole host of potential causes and conditions that lead to back pain. This is why chronic pain should always be assessed by a medical professional to properly diagnose and treat.
Some of the most common causes are:
- A herniated spinal disc
- Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
What Are My Treatment Options for Back Pain?
If your pain is lingering, or even worsening then it’s crucial that you see a licensed medical professional to ensure your condition is properly managed. Without this, your back pain could cause lasting mobility troubles and your pain could escalate.
Some of the ways your doctor may treat your pain are:
1. Rehab therapy – Specialists will develop a custom exercise plan, designed to encourage normal, pain-free movement This, alongside at home stretching, can enable your back pain to heal.
2. Trigger Point Injections – Depending on your condition, there’s a selection of non-opioid injections that may be used to help relieve your pain. For example, if the pain is centered in your back muscles, trigger point injections may provide the relief you’re looking for.
3. Chiropractic care – Depending on the underlying cause of your back pain, you may find relief in chiropractic adjustment. This consists of our chiropractors repositioning any spinal abnormalities that may be leading to your pain.
4. Spinal Decompression Therapy – This kind of non-surgical therapy works to release tension held in your spinal canal, limiting the pressure and pinching of the nerves that’s causing the pain.
Frequently Asked Questions about Back Pain
1. How do I know if my back pain is serious?
This is a common question because of how frequently back pain is felt. The easiest way to look at this is if your back pain lasts longer than a week, or limits your mobility, then you should see a doctor.
2. How do you treat lumbar back pain?
Lumbar back pain is typically the most common – and a lot of the time, it can be caused by poor posture. To treat this at home, try ice and heat therapies, gentle stretching and a lot of rest. If it persists longer than a week, seek medical attention.
