As human beings who walk upright, the back is a very important component. The very act of walking upright can cause quite a bit of back pain. On top of that, the many unnatural things that most human beings do in the course of daily living (sitting at a desk, driving a car, etc.) add to this problem. If you’ve been experiencing back pain, it may be very difficult for you to identify the cause. Read on for some ideas about what may be causing your back pain.
It is entirely possible that you have a slipped disk or a herniated disk. When this happens, the outer ring of one of your intervertebral disks may have become torn. That may result in the soft inner portion of the disk bulging through. A protruding or displaced disk can be extremely painful because it puts pressure on your spinal nerves. Your doctor will perform a series of tests to determine whether or not a herniated or slipped disc is the cause of your back pain. Among these tests will be individual leg lifts and possibly an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Many people experience back pain because of pinched nerves. The very term “pinched nerve” is misleading because to physically pinch a nerve is not possible; however, it is possible for damage or injury to nerves or group of nerves to cause a painful sensation. If you are suffering from pinched nerves, you may feel as if the affected area is ” asleep”. You will experience pain, tingling or numbness in the area. Your doctor will diagnose by the use of computed tomography (CT) scans, an MRI or x-rays.
Bones and muscles that are misaligned may also cause back pain. When your bones are in proper alignment, they work better and weight is better distributed. If your pelvis is misaligned, your lower back may be in great pain because when you walk your weight will be distributed unevenly. Your doctor will examine you to determine whether or not your musculoskeletal system is out of line. He or she may use x-rays to determine the exact location of the misalignment.
In the same category as misalignment problems is scoliosis. This is curvature of the spine which can cause back pain. While every spine has a bit of a natural curve, those who suffer from scoliosis have extreme curvature of the spine. Scoliosis may be caused by a number of conditions. It may be a genetic or congenital flaw, or it may be caused by illness (e.g. Polio). Your doctor would use x-rays and/or an MRI to diagnose scoliosis of the spine.
Back pain is not only caused by problems with the back. Sometimes a sprained or pulled muscle in another part of the body will pull the body out of alignment. This can make back motion very painful. Generally speaking, rest, ice, compression and elevation will go far to help heal a pulled or strained muscle; however, it’s always a good idea to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your back pain.
Back pain can be treated in many ways. Among them are therapeutic massage, chiropractic treatment, physical therapy and prescription medications, as well as some over-the-counter preparations. It’s a good idea to see your general practitioner (GP) first for guidance in regards to what types of treatment you should pursue for your back pain. Your GP can give you good advice and referrals that will save you time, money and potential pain.
In the past, many people were debilitated by back pain. Today this is not the case because we know that remaining gently active is one of the best ways to address back pain. Additionally, there are far more types of diagnosis and treatment available today than in years past. By protecting the health of your back and seeking prompt, appropriate treatment for any back injury or pain, you’ll be able to continue living an active and productive life even with back pain.