In recent years back pain has become normalized. It is estimated that 16% of the population has back pain and as many as 90% will experience back issues at some point.
Unfortunately, because back pain is so common many people shrug it off and simply live with it. The most common causes of issues relates to sitting for long periods, picking up children awkwardly, or even overdoing the exercise.
This generally happens in your 20s and 30s, by your 40s you may start to experience degenerative conditions. This includes arthritis and the pain can start to affect your ability to do everyday activities.
You may not see a spine surgeon until the pain becomes severe. However, the truth is that you should book an appointment as soon as you realize you have an issue.
In short, if you don’t know what has caused the back pain and the pain doesn’t disappear in 3-5 days, you need to get a consultation.
Back Pain And Your Spine
Your back is your spine. It’s made up of lots of small bones known as vertebrae, these are separated by discs that allow the bones to support your body and, at the same time, ensure you have the flexibility to move in many different directions.
Alongside this, the spine acts as a container, all the main nerves in your body go inside the spinal column, connecting the brain to the rest of the body. This allows the brain to feel things and control all the different functions in your body.
In most cases, back pain is directly related to your spine. However, there are times when it isn’t, such as when you have a kidney infection.
Dealing With Back Pain
The first thing that needs to be identified is the type of back pain. You could be dealing with a mechanical issue. These are the most common and generally relate to overuse or an injury. In effect, the bones of the spine are damaged or the discs between the vertebra have become damaged. The result is a pain when you stand, walk, or move in certain ways.
The damage will often cause pressure on the nerves inside the spinal column. You are likely to experience pain down your legs, also known as sciatica.
In contrast, you may experience inflammation. This creates pressure on the bones and nerves, causing pain and usually restricting movement.
Mechanical issues are more common and are usually a result of trauma. A surgeon can help you identify the best treatment option and recovery is often possible.
In contrast, there are many more causes of spinal inflammation but it is as common.
Again, you’ll need a specialist to help you decide the best treatment options, including medication and exercises. The aim of these is to control the symptoms, as the cause of the inflammation may be untreatable, such as Ankylosing Spondylitis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes inflexibility and hunching.
The bottom line is your spine is essential to your health, if you experience pain laster longer than 3-5 days, seek specialist help.
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