Dealing with chronic back pain can be difficult, especially if you don't know the cause. Thankfully, understanding the common causes and available treatment options can help you better manage your situation. Andrew Nava, M.D. is a back pain specialist who explains that chronic back pain – pain that lasts more than three months – is usually related to age or a previous injury.
He further outlines some of the common causes; spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, disc problems, or myofascial pain syndrome. Nava assures us, though, that it's still possible to find relief from chronic pain through non-surgical treatment methods. Don't lose hope – there is help available.
- Back pain can crop up at any age, but it's especially common among older adults. It can also be the result of a past injury. To get to the bottom of this discomfort, the causes of chronic back pain must be addressed.
Some of the potential reasons for recurring back pains include:
A. Spinal arthritis-the wear and tear of cartilage in the spine;
B. Spinal stenosis-a narrowing in the spine's passageway which can damage nerve pathways;
C. Disc discrepancies like herniated or bulged discs;
D. Myofascial pain syndrome-untraceable muscle pain and tenderness.
If your doctor can't seem to find the cause of your chronic back pain, it's wise to get a second opinion from a pain specialist. Having a proper diagnosis and medical advice from a professional is essential. Although trying to manage the pain yourself is understandable, it can actually make the problem worse, so take it seriously and reach out for help.
If the origin of the pain you are experiencing is indeterminate or cannot be remedied, consulting with a doctor might be the most viable route to bringing down inflammation and enabling you for utilizing non-surgical treatments to control the pain.
1. Adopting good posture:
Grandma was right - slouching is unhelpful for good health. Furthermore, a poor stance can worsen back issues, particularly when sitting for extended time frames. Do not hunch over your keyboard. Make sure to relax your hands and provide support to your body by leaning it against the back of the chair. You could try positioning a cushion behind your lower back while sitting.
2. Prescription painkillers:
Are you in need of medication to treat pain? Medications such as NSAIDs or opiates can be prescribed by your doctor and may help ease your soreness and aches. It's always a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which medications will work best for you, especially if you are already taking other medications, even if they are over-the-counter. Your doctor may even recommend muscle relaxants if you could use some help relaxing sore and tight muscles.
3. Antidepressants:
If you're suffering from chronic back pain, your doctor may recommend taking antidepressants even if you don't have depression. We don't really know how effective they are at alleviating chronic pain, but the idea is that they can work with the body's chemical messengers to dampen the pain signals.
4. physical therapy:
A physical therapist can help you learn how to sit, stand, and move in a way that will properly support your back and alleviate stress on it. They can also show you exercises that are designed to help build and strengthen the core muscles responsible for supporting your back, making them stronger and lessening your chances of future back pain.
5. ice and heat
If you're dealing with back pain, it might help to apply ice regularly to the pain area. Try this for 20 minutes a few times a day - place the ice pack on a thin towel to protect the skin from any damage. Once pain has been reduced, you can switch to heating. You can use a heating pad or warm pack to relax the sore muscles and increase blood flow to the affected area. If you'd rather, you can also try taking a warm bath for extra relief. Remember to only use the heating pad or heat pack for a short period of time to avoid causing burns or tissue damage - don’t lie on top of it!
6. Diet:
Eating nutritious foods can do wonders for your body, especially when it comes to managing back pain. Try to avoid trans fats, refined sugars, and processed foods, as these can be highly inflammatory. Taking care of your body by eating nutritiously and keeping a healthy weight can also go a long way in relieving pressure on your spine.
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