Back pain is hard to live with in the short term, when it’s chronic, or all the time, it’s even worse. So why do some people have chronic back pain when others seem to shake back issues off?
A number of causes
Chronic back pain has a number of causes, and sometimes finding the actual cause can be a challenge. It might be a single event, or it might not.
It could be that you have been doing something such as lifting the wrong way for a long time and the last time is the kicker. Other times it could be something like arthritis. It could be years of wear and tear from your work or sports. It could be an injury.
Disc herniation
Another cause could be disc herniation, which is when part of the disc is pushed into nearby nerves. The discs, which are supposed to cushion the spine can get dry, thinner and more brittle over time. Or it could be spinal stenosis, which is when the spaces between the spinal nerves and the spinal cord become narrowed. If you have a curvature of the spine like scoliosis or kyphosis it can cause chronic pain.
Risk factors for chronic back pain
If you are over the age of 30. If you smoke. If you don’t exercise enough. If you’re stressed, suffer from depression or overweight. If you’re a woman who is pregnant. If your job or hobbies involve a lot of heavy lifting, twisting, bending or a lot of vibration.
Get relief
The good news is that you can get relief. First thing is to see your doctor. He or she can give you recommendations about what to do to reduce your pain. Some of those include pain medications (either over the counter or by prescription), a back brace, cold and heat therapy and physical therapy. If he or she prescribes physical therapy, take full advantage. A physical therapist can work with you to strengthen back muscles and teach you proper body mechanics to help you not re-injure your back.
There is relief to be had.
If you have chronic back pain and in the Denver area, sign up to today for a FREE PAIN EVALUATION!
