Back Pain

Back pain often develops without any particular reason and only shows up in a test or imaging study. Some common conditions linked to back pain include:

Ligament or muscle strain: Straining back muscles and spinal ligaments by repeated heavy lifting or a sudden rupturing movement can lead to spinal injuries resulting in pain. Or people with poor posture or physical condition can develop painful muscle spasms with regular strenuous activities. 

Bulging or ruptured disk: Between the bones in the spine resides the discs, which act as cushions and prevent injuries to the bones by mechanical friction. Sometimes, a disc can bulge and press on a nerve. However, it’s not necessarily true that a bulging or ruptured disc will cause back pain. 

Arthritis: Often, osteoarthritis affects the lower back. Sometimes, spinal arthritis can lead to a narrowing down of the space in the spinal cord. This condition is called spinal stenosis.

Osteoporosis: If the bone becomes porous and brittle, it can lead to the spinal vertebrae developing painful breaks.

Ankylosing spondylitis: This inflammatory disease can cause some of the spinal column’s bones to fuse, leading to a less flexible spine which can easily develop pain. 

Factors That Contribute To Back Pain

Though it’s difficult to tell why an individual will develop back pain, considering that even children and teens can develop back pain, there are, however, some factors that increase the risk of developing back pain.

Age: Back pain is more common in people who have reached a certain age, between 30-40.

Lack of exercise: Unused or less-used muscles in the back and abdomen and the back can cause back pain.

Extra weight: Excess body weight puts extra stress on the back leading to a painful condition.

Improper lifting and posture: Using the back instead of the legs to lift can cause back pain. Again, standing or sitting incorrectly can stress the back leading to pain. 

Depression: Depression is a killer, and together with anxiety, it can even lead to back pain. Psychological stress can cause muscle tension which can then lead to back pain.

Smoking: Smokers have an increased risk of developing back pain. This can be due to several reasons. Smokers cough a lot which can result in herniated discs. Again smoking can decrease the overall blood flow into the spine and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Smoking also increases the inflammation inside the body, which can resist or slow down healing. 

How To Prevent Back Pain

Improve your physical condition and learn and practice how to use the body, which can help you prevent back pain. 

Keep your back healthy and strong by incorporating the following best practices:

Exercise: Include light exercises in your daily routine, which will not only grow and maintain the strength and flexibility of the spine and muscles but will also improve your body’s overall health and immunity, which will help you prevent any type of pain or other related diseases. 

Build core strength: Building core strength and including exercises that work on abdominal and back muscles together help support your back, thus preventing back pain to a large degree. 

Maintain a healthy weight: Keep your body weight under the recommended limits to keep back pain at bay. 

Quit smoking: Quit smoking to return to a healthy lifestyle and decrease the chances of developing back pain.

Stand smart: Do not slouch. Maintain a neutral pelvic position. When you have to stand for long times, place one foot on a footstool to take some stress off your lower back. 

Sit smart: If you have to spend long hours sitting at your job, make sure you sit on an ergonomically designed chair with good back support. You can also place a rolled towel or push down a pillow in the small of the back to maintain its normal position. 

Lift smart: Avoid lifting heavy. If you have to lift heavy, use your legs instead of your back. 

methods to Diagnose Back pain

Diagnosing the cause of the back pain and taking necessary action usually reduces or cures back pain altogether. Diagnosing techniques include:

●X-Ray

●MRI CT scans

●Blood tests

●Nerve studies

Treatment Procedures to Cure / reduce back Pain

Using painkillers to manage the pain while strengthening the back muscles and managing weight is usually how back pain is managed. However, there are some complementary treatment techniques, including:

Heat/Ice Packs: Applying heat packs on the stiff area can reduce the stiffness and increase blood flow in that area. A warm shower can also help. 

An ice pack can also reduce inflammation and help in healing. You can find alternating heat and cold treatment throughout a week can work wonders in reducing back pain. 

Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy can help improve your strength and flexibility. Regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for back pain; consulting a specialist physiotherapist can help in several ways. He/she can oversee your specific condition and suggest exercises to help you deal with your situation. 

Manual therapies, sometimes known as hands-on treatments, include manipulation and mobilization of spinal joints and can help you alleviate back pain symptoms. Coupled with exercises, these ‘hands-on’ techniques work wonders. These therapies are generally carried out by qualified physiotherapists, chiropractors, or osteopaths, such as the ones in Stark Rehabilitation.  

However, this type of treatment is not suitable for every type of back pain. Consult your doctor and take up physiotherapy only if he/she deems it appropriate. 

Stark Rehabilitation is an Orlando-based physiotherapy center specializing in helping patients recover from accidents and other physical ailments, including back pain. Our highly trained and experienced physiotherapists are dedicated to providing expert care to help patients regain their mobility, strength, and independence.