BACK PAIN

Nearly every one of us is likely to undergo some form of back pain in our lifetime. This pain is among the most common causes of absences from work. While it can affect people in any age group, there are higher chances of experiencing them as you get older due to such factors as degenerative disks and repetitive tasks.

Types of Back Pain

The area where you are experiencing the discomfort and related symptoms will determine how it is classified. The three most common types of back distress include:

Axial Back Pain: also referred to as mechanical spinal pain, this type is any type of spinal ache that:

• Gets worse if you stay in a certain position for too long
• Worsens if you undertake certain activities such as sports
• Gets better once you rest
• Axial may be dull or sharp, sporadic or constant, or throbbing. Muscle strains are the most common causes of this type of ache.

Radicular Back Pain:  this is caused by a pinched nerve, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or nerve inflammation. This type of distress can be sharp or burning and can sometimes be associated with weakness or numbness. It may include the dermatome, legs, or buttocks.

Referred Pain: this type is not confined to a specific area of your spine. It is often achy and dull. A herniated disc may result in referred distress on the posterior thighs and hips.

Common Causes of Back Pain

This discomfort can result from a variety of causes, including:

Inflammation

While this is part of your body’s natural response to injuries, it can result in discomfort. Inflammation due to a disease or an injury may cause soreness in your spine.

Pulled Muscles or Tendons

Pulled muscles can be as a result of heavy workouts, lifting heavy objects, or sleeping in awkward positions. These activities may sprain or strain one or more muscles and/or tendons in your back, resulting in spasms or tightness.

Ruptured or Herniated Discs

Discs are the tissues that separate your vertebrae. When they move out of place, they can cause severe and debilitating discomfort. These discs are prone to injuries or dislocations as you age.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic infection that affects different joints throughout the body. It is often associated with inflammation and stiffness. It can affect the joints on your lower spine or those in the neck area, causing soreness.

Spinal Stenosis

Sometimes, the vertebral column is narrowed or squeezed by bone spurs or growths, bulging discs, or thickened ligaments. These conditions put pressure on the spine and cause severe discomfort.

Other causes include trauma, non-spinal causes such as ulcers, kidney stones, infections, cancer, and fractures.

When to Worry About Your Discomfort

At the onset of your discomfort, taking non-prescription pain relievers or applying ice packs may provide relief. You might also want to take it easy on exercise and sports for some time. However, if the discomfort lasts for more than one week, it is extremely severe, or it hinders you from engaging in your normal activities, then it’s time to visit a spinal specialist. Seek immediate medical help if you have:

• Loss of bowel or bladder function
• Muscular distress due to trauma
• Spinal discomfort accompanied by fever
• Loss of strength especially on the limbs
• Unexplained weight loss due to the back ache

During your visit to the North Texas Medical Center, we will take the time to understand the history of your spinal problem and carry out detailed examinations. These may include evaluating your spinal cord’s range of motion, tenderness, sensation, strength, and reflexes. We may also order imaging such as CT scans, MRIs, or X-rays. We will use all this information to recommend the most suitable treatment.