Back pain is like the common cold — nearly all of us have to deal with it at some point. In fact, 8 out of 10 people will feel that ominous twinge at least once in their lives.
The good news is that most back pain will go away with minimal treatment. This type of pain is typically called “acute,” meaning it comes on suddenly and lasts no more than a few weeks. When that happens, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical pain relievers often provide relief.
However, if your pain lasts more than 12 weeks, it is characterized as chronic.
What Should I Do?
“If persistent back pain is keeping you from doing the things you enjoy, don’t ignore the problem,” says Dr. Andrew Castro, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon at Beaufort Memorial. “Dealing with chronic back pain can also take a toll on your overall physical and emotional health, so it’s crucial that you seek professional care.”
The first step will be for your provider to determine exactly what is causing your pain.
“I encourage people to pay attention to warning signs and what hurts, as it helps me diagnose the issue that is causing pain,” Dr. Castro says. “For example, if you’re experiencing leg pain in addition to low back pain, it could be a sign of a herniated disc. If you notice numbness in your arms or legs, it could be a sign of spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal), or it might be a side effect of arthritis, which can damage the spine.”
If you have persistent pain that is accompanied by fever or unexplained weight loss, follows an accident or blow to the back, or impacts bladder or bowel function, you should see a doctor immediately.
“While the majority of chronic back pain is due to spinal issues, such as arthritis, disc problems or pinched nerves, it’s always good to make sure it’s not due to anything else,” Dr. Castro says.
Read More: Back Pain: Is It Something Serious?
Lifestyle Changes and Treatment Options
When it comes to chronic back pain, a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference. The first steps would include addressing things you can change, such as losing weight, quitting smoking or making your work area more ergonomically correct.
“Most importantly, to truly conquer back pain, you should maintain a low-impact exercise routine and strengthen your core,” Dr. Castro says. “This will give your body the tools it needs to take the stress off your back.”
Talk to your doctor about treatments that can help you move past the pain. Treatment options include everything from pain medication to physical therapy to injections to nerve ablation.
What About Surgery?
“Back pain is most often not a surgical problem,” Dr. Castro says. “Most of the time, it will improve with proper diagnosis and treatment.”
However, if you’ve gone through conservative treatments and still have no relief for your back pain, surgery can be an effective option to relieve back pain, neck pain, deformities and disc problems.
And while “spine surgery” may sound daunting, the good news is that many of today’s state-of-the-art spinal surgeries are minimally invasive and designed to spare healthy muscle tissue, speed recovery and cause less postsurgical pain.
Have more back or neck pain questions? Speak with our orthopedic care coordinator at 843-522-7435.
