Back Pain. Here is What You Need to Know

Back pain can range from sharp to severe. Such pain is a result of wear and tear due to our daily activities. Back pain also occurs as we grow older. The pain may suddenly arise and go away with time as you practice remedies such as exercises, physical therapies or medications, and conservative treatments. Back pain is a result of overstretched muscles, ligaments, and injury, among other causes. A pain that lasts for more than 12 weeks and is burning or deep is regarded as chronic pain. In case you are experiencing any type of pain in your back that does not seem to subside, you should seek the immediate intervention of a doctor. Specialists of back pain in Houston at Yancey Pain & Spine offer a wide range of services and use proven therapies coupled with the latest technology to provide a lifelong solution to your pain.

How is back pain diagnosed?

When you visit the doctor, you will receive a physical examination to check the pain. The doctor may also ask you several questions. During the exam, the doctor will check how you stand and walk, the state of the spine, reflexes, leg strength, and other abilities. The doctor may also carry out imaging scans (X-rays) to check your spine, blood tests, computed and tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check the muscles, ligaments and discs, bone scan, and electromyography to test the nerves. These tests may be necessitated if the pain seems to be caused by an injury, presence of an underlying condition, or pain that doesn’t seem to subside.

What are the risk factors of back pain?

Several factors contribute to the risk of getting back pain. They include:

Daily activities/ Occupational activities

The daily jobs that require us to stand for long hours, sit in chairs that don’t support our backs well, and lift or bend predispose us to back pain.

Pregnancy

A pregnant woman carries much weight in front, hence the ligaments loosen in the pelvic region, thus causing pain.

Age

As we age, wear and tear of the discs along the spine may occur, and this leads to neck and back pain. Older people at the age of 40 are more likely to have back pain than young people.

Inactivity or sedentary lifestyle

People who are not active, sit too much, and do not go for regular exercise develop back pain.

Genetic factors

Certain disc disorders are said to be inherited—for example, the degenerative disk disorder.

Overweight

Excess weight strains the muscles in the back, thus causing pain in the back and even the joints.

Other risk factors include strenuous work, smoking, and some diseases such as arthritis. According to reports, back pain is more prevalent among women than men because of factors caused by hormones. If you would like to avoid back pain, it would help if you address the risk factors. Perform regular exercises, eat a healthy diet, manage body weight, and avoid smoking. While seated, make sure that you have good support for your back and arms. Make sure you have a neutral pelvic position while standing and also ensure your spine is straight while sleeping. Back pain can disappear with treatment or home remedies such as yoga and stretches.