Do you know?
Back pain is one of the leading causes that people have to miss out on their daily work. To add to that, annual medical expenses for back pain go to around $2,580.
What is Back Pain?
Back pain ranges from a constant, dull ache to sharp & sudden pain. The problem is mechanical and it does not occur due to serious conditions. Back pain can affect the person’s daily life to such an extent that they do not like doing the daily work. Even our lumbar spine can cause back pain. So, it is important to get medical assistance without any delay.
According to stats, around 80% of the population experience back pain at some point in their lives. In some cases, back pain can occur when you try to lift something heavy or due to age there can be issues.
According to stats, around 80% of the population experience back pain at some point in their lives. In some cases, back pain can occur when you try to lift something heavy or due to age there can be issues.
How does the back work?
The spine is also referred to as the backbone or spinal column, which provides greater strength and flexibility to the body. In total, it has 24 bones which are known as vertebrae. In-between these are discs, muscles, and ligaments which provide them with the necessary support.
In the most lower part of the back, some bones are linked to each other and there is no disc in-between. On both sides of the spine, small joints are present which are known as facet joints.
The spinal cord is connected with the brain which goes through the skull & the rest of the body through the nerves. In medical terms, these nerves are known as nerve roots. In all, the structure is extremely strong.
In the most lower part of the back, some bones are linked to each other and there is no disc in-between. On both sides of the spine, small joints are present which are known as facet joints.
The spinal cord is connected with the brain which goes through the skull & the rest of the body through the nerves. In medical terms, these nerves are known as nerve roots. In all, the structure is extremely strong.
What are the symptoms of back pain?
This condition affects around 8 out of 10 adults and every patient will experience it differently. Due to this condition, you will notice symptoms like a sharp pain, severe pain, tingling sensation, numbness, do not improve with rest, pain after the injury, and it can come along with other health issues like:
- Problem urinating
- Weakness and numbness in the legs
- Weight loss
- Fever
Along with back pain, sometimes leg pain can occur as the pain reaches the leg. However, back pain is referred to as chronic when it does not go away within 12 weeks. Some of the common symptoms which can experience are:
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What are the causes of back and leg pain?
There are multiple causes of back pain and leg pain. The human back contains different things and together it helps our body to move around. Let’s go through some of the causes of back pain.
- Strain: Back pain can trigger due to tension, injury, or strain, some of the main causes are damaged disks, muscle spasm, strained muscles, fractures, lifting something heavy/incorrectly, and making awkward movements.
- Structural problems: Structural issues can also result in back pain like sciatica, arthritis, abnormal curvature of the spine, ruptured disks, bulging disks, arthritis, kidney problem, and osteoporosis.
- Movement and posture: The work you do daily can also result in back pain. Some of the reasons for that are twisting, muscle tension, over-stretching, pulling, bending awkwardly, muscle tension, sneezing, standing/lifting for a long time, straining the neck forward, driving for a long time, and sleeping on a mattress which is not right.
Are there any risk factors for back pain?
Some of the risk factors of back pain or leg pain are:
- Your job environment
- Pregnancy
- Genetic factors
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Poor physical fitness
- Older age
- Smoking
- Medical conditions, such as arthritis and cancer
- Obesity and excess weight
- Strenuous physical exercise or work, especially if done incorrectly
How is back pain diagnosed?
At Neuro Citi Hospital, the doctor will use a wait-and-see method to diagnose back pain before deciding if they need the back pain treatment. In most cases, the problem is treated on its own and this is the reason doctors will wait. Also, the doctor will tell you what type of self-measures you need to follow on an everyday basis.
What are the tests done to diagnose back pain?
You need to get some of the tests, depending on your condition like:
- Due to a bad fall, my back is injured.
- The doctor suspects back pain is due to another issue
- Pain has lasted for more than normal.
The doctor will diagnose your condition through CT scan, MRI scan, X-rays, bone scans, and EMG.
What are the measures to prevent back pain?
Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or stop the recurrence of back pain. Here’s what you need to do on the daily basis:
- Exercise: Make sure that you exercise daily to increase your strength and this allows you to function better.
- Strengthen the core: You need to strengthen the core with back & abdominal back muscles. Make sure to consider these to build flexibility and strength.
- Healthy weight is important: You need to make sure that you maintain a healthy and correct posture. Be it you are walking, sitting, standing, or bending, you need to be careful.
- Do not sit in the same position: Make sure neither you sit nor stand in one position for a long time. It is better to change that frequently.
- Do not lift something heavy: You need to avoid lifting the heavy objects as they will put pressure on the back and legs.
If your back pain or leg pain is limiting you to do your daily task, then book the initial consultation at the earliest. When you can live without leg pain, then why do you need to bother yourself? Get the treatment started on time and live a better life.
