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Back pain (also known "dorsalgia") is pain felt in the back that may originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Back pain in individuals with medical conditions that put them at high risk for a spinal fracture, such as osteoporosis or multiple myeloma, warrants prompt medical attention. Back pain from osteoporosis is most commonly related to compression fractures of the vertebra. The Spine The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. The various muscles that are attached to the spine enable the spine to bend and move in various ways. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities. At the lowest end of the spine, some patients may have tailbone pain (also called coccyx pain or coccydynia). Others may have pain from their sacroiliac joint at the bottom of the lumbar spine, called sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Weight: If you are overweight, exercise will help you to lose weight, which will reduce the strain on your back. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can hinder the healing process. The weight gain often associated with smoking cessation can often contribute to back pain. In a recent review of medical literature published by the Department of Veteran Affairs Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, a relationship between increases in body weight and low back pain, along with osteoarthritis and other painful conditions was found. During Pregnancy: Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who are overweight or had back pain prior to pregnancy. Poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or escalate the pain you experience in your back. Pain Relief: Topically applied lidocaine patches (Lidoderm 5% patch) have provided a reduction in pain intensity and pain relief in clinical trials of patients with acute pain. In a small percentage of cases, having a surgeon remove the part of the disc or bone that is irritating a nerve may provide relief. Spinal cord stimulators can help some patients who gain no relief from surgery. Treatments: Treatment of ongoing back problems must be directed at the cause. Your doctor might recommend medications or suggest you try complementary and alternative medical treatments, such as manipulation of the spine, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (mild electrical pulses), acupuncture (thin needles used for pain relief) and acupressure (pressure applied to certain places in the body). Therapies: Massage therapy, especially from an experienced therapist, may help. Body Awareness Therapy such as the Feldenkrais Method has been studied in relation to Fibromyalgia and chronic pain and studies have indicated positive effects. In one study, chiropractic manipulation was found to relieve back pain better than a sham therapy in which therapists only imitated chiropractic manipulation. Exercise: The evidence indicates that prescribing analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants and muscle relaxants is not the answer; nor is sending the patient for more physiotherapy or manipulative therapy. Many use treatments such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and exercises. The body is built to maintain itself and is capable of much more than we generally realise. Unless you are injured or suffering from disease it will respond if you make the demands. Exercise is a way of telling it that you need those functions.
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One more in the 'By The Doc' series - an expert guide to the causes and remedies of Back Pain. Find out how to avoid Back Pain, its causes and the best remedies. Always seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
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