Hip Pain- Common causes, why and what to do 

Hip Pain- Common causes, why and what to do 

  • Hip Pain Causes

Hip Pain- Common causes, why and what to do?

The hip joint is a very strong ball and socket type of joint. It is highly mobile and frictionless due to the cartilage and fluid present in the cavity of the joint. Although it is very tough and durable, it can also be damaged due to wear and tear over time. Moreover, hip pain can also be caused by an injury to the hip joint that may be an accident or trauma to the hips. 

Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff Tear

  • Rotator Cuff Tear

Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff Tear  

Rotator cuff tear injuries are common in middle aged individuals.  The prevalence of such injuries can be as high as 34% in the adult population.  That is to say, the cause of a rotator cuff tear is likely multifactorial, with degeneration, impingement, and overload may all contribute in varying degrees to the development of rotator cuff tears.

Causes of Severe Low Back Pain

  • Severe low back pain

Causes of Severe Low Back Pain

Back pain is an uncomfortable and debilitating condition. It is one of the common causes of people’s absence from duties. Severe low back pain can be caused by physical injuries, strenuous physical activities, and some serious medical conditions. 

Dull Pain? Less Serious Causes of Back Pain

  • Dull back pain

Dull Pain? Less Serious Causes of Back Pain

Back pain is a common condition that leads to a reduction in your capacity to do work. The severity of the back pain varies according to the seriousness of its underlying cause. Learn more about dull pain in your back. 

Herbal Remedies For Pain Relief 

  • Herbal remedies for pain

Herbal Remedies for Pain Relief

Are you looking for natural pain relief? Then you must consider herbal medicines and herbal remedies for pain prevention.  

 It is no secret that all of us experience some kind of pain in our lives and try to get rid of painful conditions. Due to the various side effect, when you suffer from chronic diseases such as cancer or arthritis you may not want to use painkiller medicines so frequently.   

 However, at this stage, you should try herbal remedies for pain relief that have offered proven results over thousands of years.  

Listed below are some of the best herbal remedies for pain relief but first we will see whether or not they can help you.  

Use Heat and Ice for Back Pain

  • Back pain releif

Heat & Cold

Help Temporarily Relieve Back Pain

There is some evidence that heat will help decrease back pain. There is little proof that cold will help. But some people do find that heat or cold help them. Follow these suggestions if you would like to try heat or cold for back pain.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Pain

  • Lumbar Spinal Senosis

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Pain

Your spinal cord is a combination of nerves passing down through a tunnel formed by your vertebrae. The tunnel is called the spinal canal. The narrowing of this spinal canal in the lower part of your back is called lumbar spinal stenosis. It can cause pressure on your spinal cord or can compress the nerves that go from your spinal cord to other parts of the body, such as muscles. These are the ways lumbar spinal stenosis pain develops.    

Treatments for Back Pain

  • Back Pain Treatment Options

Many people at some time or another during their lives have experienced the discomfort of back pain. Back pain can range from mild discomfort to severe and debilitating, so it can be difficult to know how much back pain is normal and when it might be time to see a doctor.

In this article, we will cover some of the most common causes of back pain including muscle strains, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and others. We will also discuss when you should schedule an appointment with a doctor as well as some of the treatment options available – physical therapy, medication, surgery, and more.

When people better understand the causes of their back pain and what some of the effective treatment methods are, they can take steps to manage symptoms and get back to living healthy, uninhibited lives.

Treatment Options

What Are the Causes of Back Pain?

Back pain is fairly common among adults and the causes can vary widely. Some of the most common causes of back pain include:

  • Muscle strain – Also referred to as overuse, or general strain, this is one of the most common causes of back pain. Muscle strains are usually caused by lifting heavy or bulky objects and sudden movements, which cause pain and stiffness in the affected area.
  • Herniated disc – Also referred to as a “slipped disc”, this condition refers to when the soft tissue between vertebrae of the spine bulges or ruptures, which puts pressure on nerve endings and can cause intense pain.
  • Spinal stenosis – This condition occurs when the spinal canal narrows, which puts excessive pressure on nerves and results in pain, numbness, or weakness of the back, legs, and/or arms.
  • Osteoarthritis – As a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, and generally requires ongoing treatment measures.
  • Scoliosis – This is a condition that causes the spine to curve to one side or the other, which, if left untreated, can cause intense pain and discomfort in the back.
  • Poor posture – Many people might think posture only matters during waking hours, but your sleep posture can also affect your level of back pain. Try to improve your posture when you notice yourself slouching, and take extra care to ensure that your sleeping posture does not put undue stress on your spine or other body parts.

Individuals must also be cognizant of the fact that back pain can also be caused by other factors like infections, tumors, or kidney stones, and can occur as a result of multiple causes. If your back pain is disrupting your normal daily activities, or if it is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Lower Back Pain Treatments

Depending upon your exact symptoms and medical history, it’s likely that your doctor will know how to best treat your back pain. Here are a few examples of some of the most common treatments for back pain:

  • Physical therapy – Also known by its acronym, PT, this process involves exercising and stretching various muscles to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility of the back and other muscles.
  • Medication – Some over-the-counter products like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with less severe back pain. However, stronger prescription medication can be helpful for individuals suffering from more severe pain.
  • Hot and cold therapy – This process involves applying heat and/or cold to the affected area to help reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Massage therapy – This type of therapy can help reduce muscle tension and improve blood flow to the back.
  • Surgery – Often reserved for the most severe cases, or when patients do not respond to other treatment methods, surgery allows doctors to go in and address the problem directly.

When Should You See a Back Pain Doctor?

Because back pain can be such a common experience, it’s often difficult to know when it’s appropriate to schedule an appointment with a medical professional. It also depends on your individual pain threshold and what you might consider a “normal” amount of discomfort as a result of poor posture, prolonged sitting, or lack of stretching and exercise.

Generally speaking, if the pain is consistent – especially if it is intense and inhibits you from completing normal, daily activities (like dressing, standing, or sitting) – for an extended period of time, you will likely want to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. If, however, your pain is severe, it might be best to visit an urgent care facility or emergency room.

Back pain may also be accompanied by other symptoms which can provide medical professionals with additional context and help them understand the source of your pain. Consult with your doctor if your back pain is accompanied by difficulty urinating, excessive fatigue or weakness, numbness in the legs, fever, or unintentional or drastic weight loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can regular exercise help reduce back pain?

For people who regularly experience mild back pain, exercising regularly and stretching can provide numerous benefits that help to alleviate back pain.

Can back pain be genetically inherited?

Some evidence suggests that certain causes of back pain may be inherited genetically, but generally speaking, back pain is more likely related to another cause. More research is needed, however, to determine when genetics plays a role in a person’s back pain.

Will surgery help alleviate my back pain?

Because there are so many variables and different factors that can contribute to back pain, it’s best to leave these kinds of decisions to you and your primary care physician. Surgery is often reserved as a last resort when other, less invasive treatment methods prove to be ineffective at treating the underlying cause.

Contact Us for Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is a fairly common condition that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. Thankfully, there are numerous treatment options available to alleviate pain and allow damaged tissues to heal. If you are experiencing back pain, especially for long periods of time, consider consulting your primary care physician to determine how best to proceed.

Carolina’s Pain Center offers a variety of non-surgical treatments to help people manage their back pain and improve the quality of their lives. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take your first steps toward eliminating your back pain.

References 

 

  • Hong, J. Y., Song, K. S., Cho, J. H., & Lee, J. H. (2017). An Updated Overview of Low Back Pain Management in Primary Care. Asian spine journal, 11(4), 653–660. https://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2017.11.4.653 
  • Alvarez, J. A., & Hardy, R. H., Jr (1998). Lumbar spine stenosis: a common cause of back and leg pain. American family physician, 57(8), 1825–1840. 

Your Back Pain is Our Specialty

  • Pain Management for Spine

Causes of Back Pain

What do stress, aging, and poor sleep have in common?

Well, they all try to bring on back pain and decreased quality of life. Back pain is debilitating in most cases, and it can limit your mobility and prevent you from maintaining a productive and active lifestyle. There are many causes of back pain. Nowadays, back pain has reached epidemic proportions. This is attributed to a busy schedule and decreased time for exercise and relaxation. Things get worse when you consult for treatment. Upon consultation, what do you get for it’s treatment? Opioids! Right? This is how chronic back pain has been both misunderstood and managed.  Carolinas Pain Center has a group of providers who are back pain specialists in Charlotte, NC and may offer other options.   

Multiple Sclerosis Pain

  • Multiple Sclerosis Pain

Multiple Sclerosis and Pain

Multiple sclerosis (MS) damages nerve fibers in the central nervous system (CNS). Over time, it leads to various problems and pain such as muscle weakness, loss of balance, numbness, and vision problems. Several medications have been found to slow the disease’s progression and can limit nerve damage.