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Back pain : An Overview
Back Pain, or LBP, is either a nagging mild or severe pain involving the
lower muscles and bones in your back, which affects nearly 80% of adults. One of the
main reasons behind chronic or acute Back Pain is job-related disabilities, which are
particularly prevalent among adults between the ages of 25 and 55.
LBP can be classified into acute, sub-chronic and chronic back pain
depending on the duration of pain. Pain in the lower back may be linked to various
factors, such as the spinal cord, the nerves, the bony lumbar spine, ligaments between
the spine and discs, the discs between the vertebrae, or the lower back muscles.
An early and accurate diagnosis is required to initiate correct treatment,
get relief from back pain at the earliest and prevent any possible complications.
LBP: Risk Factors
Some lifestyle habits are the primary reasons for Back Pain. These habits
include:
Factors Causing Lower Back Pain
Sudden falls or impacts on the back can trigger lower back pain by straining muscles
or causing spinal misalignment. Such trauma may result in acute discomfort, leading
to ongoing issues. Seeking prompt medical assessment post-injury is crucial for
proper diagnosis and effective treatment.
Lower back pains often occur when the muscle, tendon, or ligament in the area
undergoes wear and tear, especially when you fall, overstretch yourself, or lift
heavy objects using poor body mechanics. Engaging in activities that require lifting
heavier objects and performing repetitive motions can also strain the muscles and
spinal ligaments in your back.
Spinal Arthritis refers to the slow degeneration of the spinal joints, where the
cartilage between the spinal joints disintegrates and eventually causes inflammation
in the surrounding tissues. The inflammation and degradation of cartilage intensify
friction in the joints, potentially leading to pain in the lower back.
The muscles of your lower back are highly prone to sustaining mild or severe
injuries if you have a vehicular accident, a bad fall, or even carrying a heavy
laundry basket up the stairs. Some back injuries can be acute and traumatic, and
some occur gradually over time.
Maintaining a poor posture while sitting, standing, walking, or sleeping can put
unnecessary strain on the muscles in your lower back. Such poor postures include:
- Awkward positions while carrying, lifting, pulling, or pushing something.
- Bending awkwardly while working or picking up something from the floor.
- Standing or bending for long periods.
- Twisting your body awkwardly.
- Sudden sneezing, which may cause the body to jerk.
- Overstretching the body.
- Sitting on your haunches for a prolonged time.
A herniated disc, or bulging disc, is a spinal disc that has moved out of its
lining. Herniated discs most often occur in the discs of the lower back. The problem
may not always be painful, but the bulging disc can compress or irritate the nerves
near the affected area, thus causing pain and discomfort in the area.
Every single vertebra in our spine is protected by a disc that serves as a cushion.
When this disc ruptures, it increases nerve pressure, ultimately causing
debilitating lower back pain.
Any abnormal curvature of the spine, as opposed to the natural curves, is a
potential cause of back pain. Conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis
alter the normal alignment of the spine and result in pain and discomfort.
Back Pain: Identifying Symptoms and Warning Signs
In many cases, back pain does not last for more than several days. However, you should seek immediate professional help when you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Intense muscle spasms
- Persistent pain in the legs and below the knees
- Difficulty during urination
- Loss of bowel control
- Numbness around the buttocks
Non-Surgical Treatments Options for Back Pain
Our approach for LBP is entirely customized to suit your medical history and the type and intensity of pain. Most often, lower back pain can improve within six weeks without surgery. At Noida, our doctors spine specialists do not resort to surgical procedures unless it is the only treatment option. Our LBP treatment regimen always includes exercises to help prevent and reduce pain or discomfort. Our treatment regimen includes:
Adequate Rest
Prevents further damage to the injured tissues or root nerves and provides rest to relieve the pain.
Hot and Cold Packs
Relieves pain by mitigating inflammation by applying hot water, ice, or both alternatively.
Medication
Alleviates inflammation and pain and stalls pain signals' transmission from the brain.
Physical Exercise
Helps carry oxygen to the soft tissues in the back to encourage healing. We recommend only low-impact exercises like walking to promote pain relief.
Pain-Relieving Injections
We adopt the nerve root procedure through which steroid medications are injected to target the inflamed nerves and reduce pain.
Surgical Treatments at Noida
Surgery is always considered the last option only if none of the non-surgical treatments fail to deliver the desired results. Our Surgical options for Back Pain include:
Minimally Invasive Fusion
Surgery
In this procedure, two or multiple vertebrae are joined together using a bone graft and reinforced using cages, metal plates, and screws.
Endoscopic or Minimally Invasive
Discectomy
Here, a section of the disc causing irritation or exerting pressure on the nerve is excised.
Percutaneous Needle Interventions(PNT) Procedure
This procedure involves precisely guided needles targeting affected areas, offering relief by reducing inflammation or disrupting pain signals.