How to Relieve Back Pain, and What Is Causing It?

Some of the most general causes of back pain are:

• Strained muscles or ligaments
• Incorrect posture while standing or walking
• Strenuous physical exertion
• Stress related pain
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Injury

Other causes are related to structural problems of the back:

• Disc Pain: A rupture, bulging or slipping of the disc between the spinal vertebrae can lead to severe backaches and can pinch the spinal nerves, causing radiating pain to other parts of the body.
• Arthritis: Located in the bones of the spine, the back or the hip, arthritis can lead to severe backaches.
• Scoliosis: If the spine begins to curve in an abnormal way it can cause backache.
• Osteoporosis: This can make bones weak leading to easy fractures of the hip and other bones
• Tuberculosis: In the spine, this disease can cause back pain, especially in immune-suppressed patients.
• Cancer: Tumors of the back can cause pain if the tumor compresses onto a nerve.
• Shingles/ Herpes: If located along the nerves of the back, these ailments can cause severe burning backaches.

In cases of functional back pain (where no structural changes have occurred), the physician diagnoses it by assessing the patient’s history and conducting a physical examination. In cases where the physician suspects there are some structural problems, an X-ray, MRI or CT-scan, bone scan or EMG (electromyography) may be requested to aid the diagnosis. More serious cases in which a backache is accompanied by other complaints like weight loss, loss of sensation in the limbs, or loss of control with bladder or bowel movements, a more thorough investigation is conducted.

In majority of the cases, back pain relief and healing can be obtained with rest, hot fomentation and occasional use of painkillers and/or muscle relaxants. In certain cases, the physician may advise use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physiotherapy also includes application of hot/cold therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle relaxation and strengthening techniques. Surgery is a choice of treatment only in cases where there are structural changes causing nerve pinching such as disc herniation, slipped disc, or fractured vertebrae.

Regular exercise helps relieve back pain by strengthening the back muscles and ligaments in addition to keeping body weight under control. Exercise also helps improve flexibility. Correct body posture while standing, sitting and walking helps prevent back pain recurrence. When lifting things, patients should carefully bend at the knees instead of bending at the back to reduce the pressure on the back muscles. At times incorrect mattresses can also cause backaches; a firm mattress that keeps the spine straight can also help relieve back pain.

For help understanding the cause of your backache and for help relieving back pain, contact Dr. Meredith Warner of Warner Orthopedics and Wellness at 225-754-8888, or visit us HERE.

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dr. Meredith Warner is a board certified, Fellowship Trained Foot and Ankle, Orthopedic surgeon practicing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dr. Warner is committed to offering her patients an accurate diagnosis along with a comprehensive treatment plan in order to get them back to a pain free life. Dr. Meredith Warner specializes in the treatment of orthopedic issues, providing operative and non-operative treatment plans of orthopedic problems, including musculoskeletal pain such as chronic back, neck and foot pain, reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle, arthritis, diabetic, hammer toe, bunion, wound care, work injuries, fitness and nutrition and osteoporosis issues.

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