Chronic lower back pain is a common cause of visits to the doctor. It typically affects people between age 30 and 50. The pain may develop gradually or appear suddenly, ranging from a sharp, intense pain to a dull ache. Depending on the pattern of pain, lower back pain can be classified into the following three types:
- Axial Pain – This is a mechanical pain, explained as a sharp stabbing pain in the lower left side of the back. The pain is usually persistent or recurrent in nature.
- Referral Pain – The pain is characterized as achy and dull, moving around and changing in intensity.
- Radicular Pain – The pain is searing and deep. It usually follows the nerve path travelling to the limbs, causing weakness and numbness.
What are the different causes of severe back pain?
The possible causes of lower back pain include the following:
Strains and sprains
Strains and sprains occur when the ligaments and muscles in the back tear or overstretch due to excess activity. Twisting awkwardly, sports injuries, or heavy weight lifting can cause strains and sprains due to which you will notice symptoms like tenderness, muscle spasms, and swelling.
Injuries
Most lower back pains result from an injury of the ligaments, muscles, and joints connecting at the lumbar spine. During an injury, inflammation occurs at the affected site. The inflammation triggers extreme lower back pain. The most common forms of injury leading to lower back pain are motor vehicle accidents, a sudden fall, and sports injury.
Infections
Spinal infections such as vertebral osteomyelitis and spinal epidural abscess may develop following spinal surgeries or injuries, or a complication of certain medical conditions. The symptoms that follow include severe back pain, tenderness and swelling in the back, loss of sensation in the lower extremities etc.
Degenerative spine diseases
Degenerative spine diseases develop when the discs between the spinal vertebrae start to wear down, causing the vertebrae to rub against one another and causing pain in the lower back. The pain may worsen as a result of twisting, bending, walking or lifting heavy objects. Some examples of degenerative spine diseases are herniated discs, sciatica, and spinal stenosis. Other common causes of lower back pain may include:
- Facet joint dysfunction
- Sacroiliac
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoarthritis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Compression fracture
- Autoimmune diseases
As soon as you notice constant lower back pain that does not seem to get better, head towards a clinic or consult a doctor through MediBuddy’s E-consultancy Services. A medical professional can help identify the causes of back pain and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Treatment for chronic lower back pain relief
Treatment for lower back pain depends on its cause and intensity. The first line of treatment is OTC drugs and medications to ease the pain and reduce other symptoms that might be causing trouble. Your doctor may prescribe:
- Antibiotics
- Muscle relaxants
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Corticosteroids
Alternative care treatments like occupational therapy and physical therapy may be recommended to build muscle strength and improve mobility for back pain relief. In severe cases, surgery may be the only option to cure lower back pain when all other treatment options have failed. Surgery for back pain involves few risks and complications, which is why doctors do not recommend the same until there is a fear of nerve damage or an urgent need for structural correction.
Conclusion
Living with chronic lower back pain can be difficult, as it can take a toll on your routine activities as well as your health. However, the condition can be dealt with if diagnosed and treated early. Besides medications, exercise and healthy lifestyle changes can help you get relief. [av_promobox button='yes' label='Consult a Specialist on MediBuddy' link='https://www.medibuddy.in/?utm_source=blog_cta&utm_medium=blog' link_target='' color='blue' custom_bg='#f00' custom_font='#ffffff' size='large' icon_select='no' icon='ue800' font='entypo-fontello']Reading about a disease, it’s causes, symptoms and treatments is one thing. But for a real-time solution, one needs the helping hand of an expert medical practitioner. Get help from experienced doctors via MediBuddy, and get rid of your chronic lower back pain.[/av_promobox] Sources:
