Other mechanical causes of back pain include spasms, muscle tension, and ruptured disks, which are also called herniated disks. This problem can lead to pain if the back is stressed. As they deteriorate, they lose their cushioning ability. Perhaps the most common mechanical cause of back pain is a condition called intervertebral disk degeneration, which simply means that the disks located between the vertebrae of the spine are breaking down with age. Mechanical problems: A mechanical problem is a problem with the way your spine moves or the way you feel when you move your spine in certain ways. Medical problems that can cause back pain include the following: It is important to understand that back pain is a symptom of a medical condition, not a diagnosis itself. (Sciatica is back pain that radiates to the hip and/or leg due to pressure on a nerve.) Furthermore, smoking can slow healing, prolonging pain for people who have had back injuries, back surgery, or broken bones. An inactive job or a desk job may also lead to or contribute to pain, especially if you have poor posture or sit all day in an uncomfortable chair.Ĭigarette smoking: Although smoking may not directly cause back pain, it increases your risk of developing low back pain and low back pain with sciatica. Occupational risk factors: Having a job that requires heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling, particularly when this involves twisting or vibrating the spine, can lead to injury and back pain. These include various forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and cancers elsewhere in the body that may spread to the spine. The presence of other diseases: Many diseases can cause or contribute to back pain. African American women, for example, are two to three times more likely than white women to develop spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra of the lower spine-also called the lumbar spine-slips out of place. Race: Race can be a factor in back problems. Heredity: Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that affects the spine, have a genetic component. Studies show that low-impact aerobic exercise is good for the disks that cushion the vertebrae, the individual bones that make up the spine.ĭiet: A diet high in calories and fat, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can lead to obesity, which can put stress on the back. People who go out and exercise a lot after being inactive all week are more likely to suffer painful back injuries than people who make moderate physical activity a daily habit. Often used as a last resort when other therapies fail, Neuroablation is a surgical technique that destroys nerves and tissue, permanently blocking nerve signals to the brain. Direct application reduces the amount of opioids needed to relieve painful symptoms. Pumps deliver pain medication directly to the space surrounding the spinal cord. Surgery may be needed when structural problems occur within the spinal column often caused by injury or disease. Surgical treatments may range from minor outpatient procedures to brain and spinal procedures. Patients are able to control the intensity of the therapy, as well as turn it on and off, using a wireless remote control. In place of pain, patients feel a mild tingling sensation called “paresthesia.” SCS may provide long-lasting pain relief and can be used with other therapies. SCS, also known as nerve stimulation, uses electrical signals to mask the perception of pain traveling from the painful area to the brain. Thermal procedures (extreme heat or cold delivered through needles or probes).Nerve blocks (injection of an anesthetic, steroid, and/or anti-inflammatory into the pain area).Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).Anti-inflammatory drugs (ex: ibuprofen).The treatment plan also depends on how you respond to any particular treatment. Usually, your physician will follow a treatment plan that begins with basic therapies (like resting and nutrition) and progresses to more aggressive solutions, depending on the type and severity of pain. There are 3 Levels of Pain, and each may have different forms of treatment. These physicians receive years of advanced, specialized training in pain management and focus on treating patients with severe pain. Pain Management Specialists are physicians who specialize in treating chronic pain. The fact is, only a physician can determine if you are a good candidate for various pain treatment options. The treatment option that will work best for you depends on your type of pain, how severe it is, and how you respond to pain treatment.
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