Back pain can occur at any age, but it is more common between the ages of 35 and 55. Spinal pain is related to the way our bones, muscles, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons and nerves work.
Spinal pain, caused by intervertebral discs, intervertebral disc ligaments, ligaments around the intervertebral disc, spinal cord and nerves, back muscles, abdominal cavity and internal organs in the pelvic cavity. Upper back pain can also be caused by aortic disease, chest tumors, and spinal inflammation.
Risk factors
The presence of risk factors increases the possibility of developing specific diseases. For example, obesity significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The following factors are associated with an increased risk of back pain:
- Office work;
- Work related to constant stress;
- Pregnancy-pregnant women often suffer from back pain;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- age;
- Depressed;
- Obesity/overweight;
- Smoking;
- Strenuous exercise;
- Hard physical labor.
Symptoms and signs of back pain
Symptoms are symptoms experienced by the patient, and the doctor can notice the symptoms. For example, pain is a symptom, and rash is a symptom.
The main symptom of spinal pain is pain anywhere in the back. Sometimes the pain spreads to the hips and legs or shoulders and arms.
If any of the following spinal pain occurs, you should contact your doctor immediately:
- lose weight;
- High temperature (fever);
- Back pain cannot be relieved by rest;
- The pain spreads to the leg;
- The pain drops below the knee;
- There is a fresh spinal cord injury;
- Urinary incontinence (even a small part);
- Difficulty in urination-difficulty passing urine;
- Fecal incontinence-loss of control of bowel movements; Numbness in the genital area;
- Anal numbness;
- Numbness in the hips.
If you belong to one of the following groups, please seek professional advice:
- People under 22 or over 55;
- Patients who have taken steroids for several months;
- Cancer patients;
- Patients who have had cancer;
- Patients with weakened immunity.
Causes of back pain
The human spine is a complex structure composed of muscles, ligaments, tendons, intervertebral discs and bones. The intervertebral disc is located between each pair of vertebrae and acts as a friction absorber. Any of these components can cause back pain. In some cases, the cause of pain cannot be determined.
Stretching
The most common causes of spinal pain are:
- stretched muscles;
- Lengthen the ligaments;
- Put heavy objects in the wrong position;
- Lift objects that are too heavy;
- is the result of a sudden and clumsy movement;
- Muscle cramps.
Structural issues
The following structural problems can cause spinal pain:
- Herniated disc.The disc casing is cracked causing its internal contents to bulge out. This may cause nerve compression, which can lead to pain;
- Intervertebral disc herniation-The internal content of the large-sized intervertebral disc bulges;
- Sciatica-Severe pain and shooting pain caused by a herniated disc or hernia, which compresses the nerve, spreads to the buttocks and back of the legs.
- Arthritis-People with osteoarthritis usually experience joint problems in the hips, lumbar spine, knees and arms. In some cases, spinal cord stenosis may occur as the space around the spinal cord becomes narrower.
- Abnormal curvature of the spine-If the spine is curved in an abnormal way, the patient is more likely to suffer spinal pain. Scoliosis is an abnormal scoliosis of the scoliosis.
- Osteoporosis-Bones including the vertebrae become fragile and porous, resulting in increased fragility.
Here are some other causes of spinal pain:
- Cauda equina syndrome-The cauda equina is a bundle of nerve roots in which the spinal cord branches. Patients with cauda equina syndrome suffer from pain and dullness in the lumbar spine and buttocks. The buttocks, genitals, and thighs may also lose sensitivity. Sometimes people with cauda equina syndrome experience urinary incontinence and/or fecal incontinence.
- Spinal cancer-Tumors located in the spine can compress nerves and cause pain;
- Spinal infection-If the patient’s body temperature is high and there are painful burning areas on the back, it may indicate a spinal infection;
- Other infections-Women’s pelvic inflammatory disease and bladder and kidney infections may also cause back pain;
- Sleep disorders-People with sleep disorders are more likely to suffer spinal pain than the general population;
- Shinglesis an infection that can affect nerves;
- Unsuitable mattress-If the mattress does not support certain parts of the body and does not provide an even back position, there is a risk of back pain.
Certain body movements or postures, such as driving for a long time, coughing, etc. , can also cause spinal pain.
What to do if you have a back injury
If you have experienced spinal pain for a few days, the following tips will help you reduce the pain and discomfort and speed up recovery:
- Stay as active as possible;
- Use over-the-counter painkillers as needed;
- Use hot and cold compresses. A bottle of hot water or a bag of frozen vegetables will work.
Although it is difficult to be optimistic in pain, don't be discouraged. This will speed up the healing process.
If your spinal pain persists for six weeks, you should see a doctor. The doctor will draw a medical history, conduct an examination, and send for further research if necessary. If you suspect a bone problem or osteoarthritis, your doctor may request an X-ray; if you suspect a herniated disc or any other soft tissue or nerve problems, you may request a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging))an examination. In this case, MRI is the best choice. Your doctor may also recommend some laboratory tests or measuring the electrical activity of the nerve (EMG).
After diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe treatment. In most cases, conservative treatment is sufficient, which may include:
- Special exercises;
- Reflexology;
- Spinal traction;
- Massage.
In severe cases, problems with operations may be raised. The surgeon will help you choose the appropriate method and advise you on possible complications. After a period of operation, preventive treatment of the spine is recommended. Remember that spinal surgery is very dangerous because the area of surgery is close to the nerves.