Back Pain
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that
makes it hard to move. It can start quickly if you fall or lift something too
heavy, or it can get worse slowly.
Who Gets Back Pain?
Anyone can have back pain, but some things that increase your risk are:
Getting older. Back pain is more common the older you get. You may first
have back pain when you are 30 to 40 years old.
Poor physical fitness. Back pain is more common in people who are not fit.
Being overweight. A diet high in calories and fat can make you gain
weight. Too much weight can stress the back and cause pain.
Heredity. Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a form
of arthritis that affects the spine, can have a genetic component.
Other diseases. Some types of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.
Your job. If you have to lift, push, or pull while twisting your spine, you
may get back pain. If you work at a desk all day and do not sit up straight,
you may also get back pain.
Smoking. Your body may not be able to get enough nutrients to the disks
in your back if you smoke. Smoker’s cough may also cause back pain.
People who smoke are slow to heal, so back pain may last longer.
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
There are many causes of back pain. Mechanical problems with the back itself
can cause pain. Examples are:
Disk breakdown
Spasms
Tense muscles
Ruptured disks.
Injuries from sprains, fractures, accidents, and falls can result in back pain.
What Is Back Pain?
Back pain can also occur with some conditions and diseases, such as:
Scoliosis
Spondylolisthesis
Arthritis
Spinal stenosis
Pregnancy
Kidney stones
Infections
Endometriosis
Fibromyalgia.
Other possible causes of back pain are infections, tumors, or stress.
Can Back Pain Be Prevented?
The best things you can do to prevent back pain are:
Exercise often and keep your back muscles strong.
Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you weigh too much. To have strong bones,
you need to get enough calcium and vitamin D every day.
Try to stand up straight and avoid heavy lifting when you can. If you do lift something
heavy, bend your legs and keep your back straight.
What Is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts less than 6 weeks. It is the most common type of back pain.
Acute pain may be caused by things like falling, being tackled in football, or lifting something heavy.
Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
How Is Back Pain Treated?
Treatment for back pain depends on what kind of pain you have. Acute back pain usually gets better without any treatment, but you may want to take aspirin or ibuprofen to
help ease the pain. Exercise and surgery are not usually used to treat acute back pain.
Following are some types of treatments for chronic back pain.
Hot or Cold Packs (or Both)
Hot or cold packs can soothe sore, stiff backs. Heat reduces muscle spasms and pain. Cold helps reduce swelling and numbs deep pain. Using hot or cold packs may relieve pain, but this treatment does not fix the cause of chronic back pain.
Exercise
Proper exercise can help ease chronic pain but should not be used for acute back pain. Your doctor or physical therapist can tell you the best types of exercise to do.
Complementary and Alternative Medical Treatments
When back pain becomes chronic or when other treatments do not relieve it, some people try complementary and alternative treatments. The most common of these treatments are:
Manipulation. Physical Therapists use their hands to adjust or massage the spine or nearby tissues.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). A small box over the painful area
sends mild electrical pulses to nerves. Studies have shown that TENS treatments are not always effective for reducing pain.
Acupuncture. This Chinese practice uses thin needles to relieve pain and restore health.
Acupunture may be effective when used as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for