Back pain is one of the most common problems that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. However, back pain is easily treatable and preventable in some cases. Learn what causes back pain, its treatment options, and prevention tips in this article. Visit the best Pain Management Clinic in Brooklyn at Doral Health & Wellness or log on to www.doralhw.org.

Causes

Anyone can have back pain due to different risk factors. However, severe back pain occurs due to injuries and conditions, like:

1. Strains and sprains:

These are the most common causes of back pain. Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons, while sprains affect the ligaments when you lift something too heavy and do not lift safely. Sometimes, people strain their back by sneezing, coughing, twisting, or bending over. Other examples of movements that may cause one of these injuries include:

• Pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying something.
• Bending over
• Twisting the spine abruptly
• Coughing or sneezing

Other types of injuries that lead to back pain include whiplash and fractures.

• Wrong Posture:

Posture means how the person holds themselves when sitting or standing. Over time, some postures can cause pain. Here are some common examples of postures that over time cause pain:

• Forward head posture (when you keep your head forward over the spine).
• Slouching (when you sit or stand with shoulders rounded).
• Hyper lordosis is when you tilt your hips forward by arching the lower back.

Everyday activities can also mean a person adopts an unhealthy posture for prolonged periods. For example, driving, working on a laptop or computer that is positioned extremely low to look down, sitting in chairs or couches that don’t support the back, and sleeping on an unsupportive mattress.

• Structural issues:

Some structural problems of the spine may result in back pain. These can include:

• Ruptured disks: Disks cushion the vertebrae in the spine. If these disks rupture, it puts more pressure on the nerves resulting in back pain. Sometimes the pain may travel through the buttock and down the back of the leg. This is known as sciatica.
• Bulging disks: A disk that bulges from its place between the bones can put pressure on the nerve, which sometimes results in sciatica.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that causes problems in the joints in the hips, lower back, and other parts of the body. Sometimes, the space around the spinal cord narrows which is known as spinal stenosis.
• Osteoarthritis: This condition makes the bones brittle and porous, which can cause fractures, sprains, and strains that lead to back pain.
• Curvature in the spine: Back pain occurs if the spine curves too much. Scoliosis is a common example of this where the spine curves to the side.
• Other conditions:

Some other conditions or factors may lead to back pain including:

• Kidney stones.
• Menstrual cramps.
• Endometriosis.
• Pregnancy.
• Infections that affect your spine, bladder, kidneys, or reproductive system.
• Shingles are the dormant nerves that can reactivate and cause a painful rash along the nerve path.
• Cauda equina syndrome.
• Spine cancer.

Treatment

Back pain treatment depends on the cause and severity. Common treatment options for back pain include:

1. Home treatments:

For sprains and strains, at-home treatment is used, which involves plenty of rest, stretching, applying a hot or cold compress, or over the counter (OTC) pain medication.

• Medications:

If back pain doesn’t respond to OTC medications, then a prescription drug is recommended. Depending on the situation, it can be:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Neuromodulating drugs
• Short-term opioids or muscle relaxants for severe, acute pain.

Opioids and muscle relaxants need to be monitored closely by the doctor because they can lead to addiction or dependence.

• Physical therapy:

This therapy may ease your back pain from injuries, posture-related pain, or a curved spine, among other causes. A physical therapist may help you gain strength in certain muscles, improve flexibility in tight muscles, or both. You need to practice the techniques regularly even after the pain is gone to prevent its recurrence.

• Injections:

Sometimes doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory or numbing injections to lower pain if other options are ineffective. A newer injection option called Botox can lower pain by paralyzing strained muscles. This isn’t a cure, but its effects can last for some time if the injection breaks the cycle of pain and spasms.

• Spinal manipulation and traction:

Spinal manipulation involves the doctor physically applying force to the parts of the body, while traction is done by using a pulley and weights to stretch the back to reduce lower back pain. Osteopaths, chiropractors, and physical therapists may use these techniques to treat back pain. However, a person with back pain should consult with a doctor first to know if spinal manipulation is safe for them.

• Surgery:

Surgery for back pain is only suggested when your pain is severe, doesn’t improve with other treatments, or may cause complications. However, not everyone can receive surgery, even if the pain persists. The type of surgery you need is recommended by your doctor based on the cause of your pain and medical history. Additionally, your surgeon will check the risks and possible benefits of the surgery or procedure. The common surgeries used to treat back pain are:

• Laminectomy: This surgery is used to treat spinal stenosis by removing the bony spurs and bone walls of the vertebrae. It helps to open up the spinal column and remove pressure on the nerves.
• Discectomy and microdiscectomy: These surgeries are used to remove part of a herniated disc to relieve pressure on the nerve root or the spinal canal. The only difference between these procedures is that microdiscectomy can be performed by making a smaller incision than a discectomy. Doctors may also include a laminectomy sometimes.
• Spinal fusion: This surgery is used to treat degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis by joining two or more vertebrae in the spine that slipped from their normal position. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the disc between the vertebrae and uses bone grafts and metal devices to secure bones together.
• Foraminotomy: This surgery is used to clean out and widen the area where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal. When the area is cleaned up, the pressure on the nerves from spinal stenosis gets relieved.
• Complementary therapies:
• Disc replacement surgery: This surgery is used to replace the damaged disc with a synthetic one. This procedure is limited to patients who don’t have complications.
• Laser surgery: This surgery uses a needle that produces laser energy to reduce the size of the damaged disc, which relieves pressure on the nerves.
• Radiofrequency lesioning: This surgery affects nerves and blocks inputs of the pain signals outside the spinal cord from entering the spinal cord.
• Spinal cord stimulation: This surgery is used to stimulate the spinal cord with levels of electricity that are not felt and can block some of the pain signals going from the spinal cord to the brain.

The recovery time from surgery can vary depending on the type of surgery and your overall health

These therapies may help to manage back pain:

• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Massage
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

People should only use a TENS machine under the direction of the doctor. People should avoid TENS if they:

• are pregnant
• have a history of epilepsy
• have a pacemaker

Prevention

You may be able to prevent back pain from overuse or improper body mechanics. These tips can help you prevent some factors that cause back pain:

• Perform regular exercises that keep your back muscles strong and increase balance and strength, lowering the risk of falling and injuring your back or breaking bones. Exercises like tai chi and yoga or any weight-bearing exercise that challenges your balance are good ones to try. Remember to always warm up first before exercise and other physical activities.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your spine strong.
• Maintain a healthy weight because being overweight can put unnecessary strain on the back, which causes injury.
• Practice good posture and avoid slouching to avoid back pain. Try to provide support to your back when sitting or standing.
• Avoid lifting heavy items whenever possible because it can strain your back. If you do need to lift a heavy item, use your leg and abdominal muscles to lift instead of your back.
• Wear shoes with a low heel that put less strain on your back. However, some flat shoes with minimal support like flip-flops can also lead to back pain.
• Use a supportive mattress that keeps your spine aligned and supports the weight of your shoulders and buttocks. Also, use a pillow that doesn’t force your neck into a steep angle.

When to seek help

You should seek medical help if you have back pain:

• That doesn’t get better with rest.
• After an injury or fall.
• With weakness.
• With tingling or pins and needles.
• With unexplained weight loss.

If any of the following occur along with the pain, seek medical attention immediately:

• Fever.
• Incontinence.
• Sudden difficulty with urination or bowel movements.
• Numbness anywhere in the body.
• A lump or swelling on the back.

Back pain can be caused by many factors. It can be acute or chronic based on the location, type, and severity of the pain, which helps to determine the cause. There are many back pain treatments available to improve the pain and improve your condition. Seek medical help if your pain doesn’t improve with home treatments and happens alongside other symptoms.

Need help with back pain, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!!

If your pain needs professional assistance, visit our pain management clinic in Brooklyn today or call to get a consultation. The location at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212 is well-served by public transportation, including many bus routes, and the subway line. Visit our website at https://doralhw.org/department/pain-management/ or contact us on +1-347-384-5690 for additional details.