Back pain is also known as ‘lumbago’, which takes its name from the lumbar region of the spine. Pain in your back can be an annoying ache, or it can get so bad that it’s unbearable. It is the second most common reason why people visit their healthcare providers (just after colds). Many people also tend to miss work because of it.
Key Facts on Back Pain
Approximately 80% of women and 59% of men appear to suffer from back pain alone in India itself. It would fluctuate from the constant, dull pain to an acute, cutting pain that would radiate down the leg.
It may sometimes arise gradually as a consequence of age-related degenerative changes in the spine, or it may suddenly appear as a result of an accident, a fall, or lifting something heavy.
Back pain can sometimes be caused by inflammatory arthritis disease or other conditions.
Who Develops Back Pain?
Most people will at some point in their lives have back pain that can occur in anyone. The following are some of the things that increase your chances of having back pain:
- Fitness level: Individuals who are unfit have a greater chance of experiencing back pain. For instance, weak stomach and back muscles might not be able to well support the spine.
- Overexertion: Back pain is also likely to occur if you exercise and do way too much following a period of no activity (overdoing things).
- Weight Gain: High-calorie and high-fat diet, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can result in obesity. The back can become strained as a consequence.
- Risk factors: The Back pain may be caused by jobs involving a lot of pushing, pulling, lifting, or twisting. Another cause may be a desk job, especially if you sit with poor posture or spend the day in an unsupportive chair.
- Stress Level: Back pain is more prevalent and worse back pain if any person has depression, anxiety, or poor sleep chronically.
- Age: With ages of 45 and above, back pain is more prevalent with advancing age.
- Hereditary: Some conditions that lead to back pain have a genetic influence.
Types of Back Pain
The categories of back pain have been explained by doctors and researchers as follows:
- Acute Back Pain: The term for acute back pain is a few days to a few weeks and is sudden in onset.
- Sub Acute Back Pain: The duration of Subacute back pain usually lasts four to twelve weeks and may develop slowly or abruptly.
- Chronic Back Pain: The duration of chronic back pain usually lasts more than 12 weeks and occurs on a daily basis and may develop slowly.
What are the Symptoms of Back Pain?
The Various symptoms of back pain are as follows:
- Pain increases while lifting and bending
- Growing pain when standing or sitting or lying down
- Intermittent back pain
- Muscle stiffness upon waking
- Back pain radiating to leg or hip, into buttocks
- Numbness of the feet
- Leg weakness
- Diagnosis and Tests
Your doctor will examine your back and assess your mobility, including sitting, standing, walking, and lifting your legs.
Visit and get yourself examined at the best Diagnostic Centre in Delhi as it is considered one of the best diagnostic centers as it offers a comprehensive number of diagnostic tests under one roof to detect and evaluate Back Pain.
Relevance of Imaging Tests through Carebox
X-Ray Scans: Based on the area of the back to be examined in the film, X-rays of the upper and/or lower back might be done standing or recumbent. It is assessing any portion of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, or coccygeal).
MRI or CT scans: MRI or CT scans produce pictures that can show herniated disks along with bone, muscle, tissue, tenderness of tendons, nerves, ligaments, and blood vessel problems.
Blood Tests Needed to Diagnose Back Pain
Even though blood tests are not generally utilized to diagnose back pain.
The kind of blood test that checks the high level of infection or swelling. Such types of tests are discussed below:
- C-reactive Protein Test
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Treatment to Ease Back Pain
The majority of lower back pain gets better with a month of home care, particularly in individuals younger than 60 years. But for many individuals, it persists for months. The different modalities of management of Back Pain include:
- Pain Relievers Medication And Analgesic
- Heat Treatment
- Bed Rest Is Not Needed
- Light Exercise
- Regular Walking
- If the treatments at home fail after several weeks, your physician would recommend stronger medications or other treatments.
How to Avoid Back Pain From Affecting Your Health?
The various means whereby you might avoid Back Pain from ruining your life, are presented as follows:
- Learn to lift weights with your legs, and not with your back muscles.
- Light but regular exercise
- Take a healthy weight
- Don’t slouch and have a correct posture
- Keep your back erect while you stand or sit
- Quit smoking
- Quit all tobacco products
- Seek counseling for stress, anxiety or depression
- Wear shoes with low heels
- Stretching on a regular basis
Conclusion
Back pain is classified in various ways by doctors. You can classify your back pain by where it is located: upper, middle or lower back pain that’s in the left, center or right area. You may also classify various types of pain to your medical professional. Is your pain light, moderate or serious? Is the pain a general ache or a small sharp pain? Also, back pain can be divided by how long it lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the most frequent reasons for back pain?
The most frequent reasons are muscle strains, irritation of the joints, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. In many cases, no specific structural issue is identifiable on imaging.
Q. How is back pain diagnosed?
The diagnosis usually begins with a medical history, physical exam, and ordering imaging—an X-ray or MRI—if appropriate. During this process, the doctor will determine the location and severity of pain and how it affects a person’s daily life.
Q. What are the common treatments for back pain?
Common treatments for back pain include medication, physical therapy, hot/cold packs, and changes to daily activities, such as increasing exercise and weight loss. There are likely very few individuals who require surgery for back pain.
Q. When I have back pain should I rest or stay active?
Avoid bed rest; gentle movement within your comfort level is best. Staying too still for too long can increase stiffness and slow the recovery process.
Q. When should I seek medical attention for my back pain?
You should see a doctor for back pain if you have severe pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Also, any ongoing pain that you cannot improve with self-care also requires attention.
