Why do I have back pain?
About half of working Americans say they have back pain at least yearly, and it’s estimated that 80% of people will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. You hope your back pain passes quickly and without incident, but chronic back pain can linger as a persistent obstacle in your daily life.
There could be several reasons you have back pain, but the most common are usually:
Muscle or ligament strain
You may have a soft-tissue injury from work, exercise, or any strenuous physical activity. This could result from a repetitive activity over time or just one awkward twist or turn.
Bulging or ruptured disc
Your spine has a set of discs between each vertebra to cushion these bones while you go about your day. Damage or degradation to these discs can cause pain and difficulty moving. It is also possible to have this problem but not feel back pain at all.
Arthritis
Arthritis can present itself in your lower back, and in some cases, narrow the spinal cord, causing what’s called spinal stenosis.
Scoliosis or another spinal irregularity
Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, can cause back pain over time, especially in people over 50 years old.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, or a breakdown in your bone strength that causes them to turn hollow and brittle, can cause your vertebrae to crack or break, causing back pain.
How can I prevent back pain?
The best way to deal with back pain is to prevent it in the first place. While there’s no guarding against traumatic injuries, there are steps you can take to ensure your back is as healthy as possible and prepared for whatever life can throw at it:
- Always sit and stand with good posture
- Do back strengthening exercises two to three times a week
- Sleep on your side, not flat on your back
- Eat a balanced diet, and try to keep from gaining too much weight
- Find ways to reduce your stress
- Quit smoking
These tactics aim to make sure the back is strong, flexible, and not subjected to unnecessary pressure or strain. While injury or pain still may occur, these exercises ensure you will be in the best shape possible to heal from your injury.
When should I see a doctor for back pain?
If you’re worried about your back pain, here are some indications that you might need a trip to see the team at Racz Pain Centers:
- Severe pain lasting more than a week
- Numbness or weakness in extremities
- Pain that extends down your leg
- Pain that increases when you cough or bend over
- Pain is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or painful urination
Back pain could be the first sign of a more serious problem, especially if you are experiencing unintentional weight loss or over the age of 65, so it’s important to diagnose your back pain early.
How is back pain treated?
When you come into Racz Pain Centers with back pain, Dr. Racz performs a comprehensive physical exam and asks you about your symptoms. He may ask you to perform certain activities or movements so he can evaluate potential signs of nerve damage in your back.
He may also request diagnostic imaging tests, like X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI to determine the source of your pain and assess the extent of your injury.
Dr. Racz typically begins with conservative treatments like a combination of rest, gentle movement, medicated creams, and hot or cold compresses for cases of mild back pain. If your condition doesn’t respond to those measures, he may suggest nonpharmacological treatment options such as:
- Physical therapy
- Regenerative medicine
- Catheter-guided injections
- Orthofix SambaScrew®
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Vertiflex Superion™
- BurstDR™ stimulation
If you’re interested in getting help for your back pain without relying on addictive pain medication, call the Racz Pain Centers or request an appointment online today.
