IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT BACK PAIN
Anyone can experience back problems. However, the major risk factors are age, being overweight, having a sedentary lifestyle, and poor posture. Back pain can be acute or chronic.
For example, acute injuries include sprains and strains. Chronic conditions includes spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease. However, surgery is not always the answer. There are many noninvasive treatments to try before considering surgery.
The spinal column is complex. It is composed of 33 vertebrae and 2 sets of fused vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons, muscles and 31 pairs of nerves. Most people in the United States will experience low back pain at least once during their lives, and back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work.
Acute Back Pain Conditions
Muscle or Ligament Strain
Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. Therefore, you’re in poor physical condition, constant strain on your back may cause painful muscle spasms.
Bulging Disc (also called protruding, herniated, or ruptured disc)
The intervertebral discs of your back are under constant pressure. As discs degenerate and weaken over time, cartilage can bulge or be pushed into the space containing the spinal cord or a nerve root, causing pain. Most herniated discs occur in the lower (lumbar) portion of the spinal column causing low back pain.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a much more serious complication of a ruptured disc. When this occurs disc material is pushed into the spinal canal and compresses the bundle of lumbar and sacral nerve roots. Most importantly, permanent neurological damage may result if this syndrome is left untreated.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition in which a herniated or ruptured disc presses on the sciatic nerve. This large nerve extends down the spinal column to its exit point at the pelvis and carries nerve fibers to the legs.
Chronic Back Pain Conditions
Degenerative Disc Disease
Spinal degeneration resulting from disc wear and tear can lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
Musculoskeletal Back Pain
Skeletal irregularities produce strain on the vertebrae and supporting muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissues supported by spinal column.
Spondylitis
Spondylitis refers to chronic pain and stiffness in your back caused by a severe infection to or inflammation of the spinal joints.
Spinal Stenosis
Approximately 250,000-500,000 US residents have symptoms of spinal stenosis. That is to say, this represents about 1 per 1000 persons older than 65 years and about 5 of every 1000 persons older than 50 years.
Treatment Options
Carolinas Pain Center in Charlotte, NC and Huntersville, NC have pain specialists who have treated thousands of patients. Above all, we have unique approaches to help alleviate your pain weather, it’s acute or chronic.
