What causes Back Pain?

More than 9 out of 10 cases of back pain are not caused by a serious medical problem:

• Strains and sprains: The most common cause of back pain, often caused by heavy lifting or twisting.
• Degenerative disc disease: Aging can cause the discs between the vertebrae to break down.
• Herniated or ruptured discs: A disc can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back.
• Spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal that can put pressure on the spinal cord.
• Spinal fractures: The bones in your lower spine can break during an accident.

See a health professional when Back Pain:

• Lasts longer than a few weeks
• Is severe and doesn’t improve with rest
• Spreads down one or both legs, especially if it goes below the knee
• Causes weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs
• Is paired with unexplained weight loss

How is Back Pain diagnosed?

Most cases of back pain can be diagnosed without imaging scans, such as x-ray, CT or MRI. The following may be used to help to determine the cause of back pain:

Physical exam including: assessing range of movement; pain level; gait and balance.

Medical history: asking about symptoms, what makes them worse or better, when they started and any family history.

Blood tests, X-Rays, MRI, CT-Scan, Nerve Conduction tests may be performed to pin point the cause of the back pain and rule out more serious conditions.

What are flares/reoccurrences?

Back pain is a condition that naturally improves and worsens at different times. Learning how to manage a flare-up/reoccurrence of your symptoms helps you to be more in control of your condition. The reasons for a flare-up/reoccurrence can vary from person to person.

What are the most common symptoms of Back Pain?

• Muscle ache to a shooting, burning or stabbing feeling
• Pain can radiate down a leg
• Bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking can make pain worse

How is Back Pain managed?

Most back pain gets better within a month with home treatment. If home treatments aren’t working, a healthcare professional might recommend stronger medicines or other therapies.

Exercise: remaining active and reducing prolonged resting time is important. A land based tailored exercise program can reduce pain and other symptoms, such as strengthening and stretching exercises. Hydrotherapy provides non-weight bearing exercise which encourages movement of painful joints and relaxing muscles around the spine.

Medicines:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants: may provide some relief. Must be taken as prescribed and can have serious side effects.
• Topical pain relievers: including creams, salves, ointments and patches, deliver pain-relieving substances through the skin.
• Narcotics: Medicines containing opioids, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, may be used for a short time with close medical supervision.
• Antidepressants: Some types of antidepressants, particularly duloxetine (Cymbalta) and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, have been shown to relieve chronic back pain.

Heat or Cold Packs: can used to reduce pain, remember to only apply heat or cold packs for 20mins at a time, as per product instructions or as per your health professional.

Lifestyle: maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce symptoms, including reducing stress; not smoking; eat a healthy diet; maintain healthy weight.

Alternative Therapies: these treatments are increasingly popular and offer options other than standard medical therapies or medications. For example: massage; dry needling; acupuncture; spinal adjustments by a chiropractor.

Surgery and other Procedures: may be the best option when back pain is more severe. Such as: Cortisone injections, Radiofrequency Ablation, Implanted Nerve Stimulators and Surgery.