Causes and Caring for Chronic Back Pain

Many people will experience back pain during their lives. While temporary back pain is natural and goes away on its own, chronic back pain can be more severe. Treatment of chronic back pain will depend on its root cause. A specialist can help you determine the cause of your discomfort and how to treat it.

What is Chronic Back Pain?

There are three classifications to back pain:

• Acute back pain lasts less than a month
• Subacute back pain lasts over a month, but less than three months
• Chronic back pain lasts over three months

If the pain lasts more than three days, or causes extreme discomfort, speak to a physician immediately. They will locate the issue in the four major areas of your back (neck, upper back, lower back, and tailbone). Knowing the location and duration of your back pain will help the doctor determine the pathology of the problem.

Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain

Poor Posture

While occasional slouching will not necessarily damage your back, having poor posture will eventually take its toll on your body. Standing, sitting, or lifting with poor posture for long periods of time can cause strain on your spine.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can be very painful. This occurs when the inner layer of the disc protrudes into the outer layer. While herniated discs commonly occur in the lower back, they can also occur in the neck. If you are suffering from a herniated disc, you may feel a sharp pain shooting down your leg.

Arthritis

The spine is made of several small joints that connect each vertebra. Inflammation in these joints can cause stiffness and pain. This condition is known as osteoarthritis.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis commonly occurs as we age. When the spine narrows, pressure is placed on the spinal cord and nerves. One of the symptoms of spinal stenosis is pain in the lower back that can shoot down to one or both legs.

Other serious conditions that can cause back pain include:

• Fractured vertebrae (due to severe trauma)
• Osteomyelitis
• Metastatic cancer
• Psychosomatic

Popular Alternative Treatments for Chronic Back Pain

Chiropractic

Chiropractors believe that the proper alignment of the musculoskeletal structure of the body, especially the spine, can help the body heal itself without the use of medicine or invasive surgeries.

Acupuncture

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body has more than 2000 points that are connected by pathways, creating a flow of energy called Qi. Stimulating these points (by inserting thin needles) can improve the flow of your Qi, improve your health, and relieve pain.

Physical therapy is one of the most effective methods of dealing with chronic back pain. A physical therapist can help relieve pain, restore function and movement, and promote healing.

To help manage back pain and related symptoms, call the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres of Ontario. You can reach us at (905) 579-9938 (Oshawa), (416) 430-0314 or (416) 445-2075 (Scarborough), (905) 430-2112 (Whitby), (905) 686-9081 (Ajax), and (905) 897-2092 (Mississauga).