While lower back pain is a relatively common complaint, it can dramatically impact a person’s life in numerous ways. For example, even moderate back pain can impact your range of motion and your ability to move freely. This includes ramifications at work, at home, and in your leisure activities. Finding a solution to alleviate the pain is understandably a primary goal. However, there are many causes, and the right treatment depends on the cause of your back pain.
When you consider, “Why am I having lower back pain?” it is important to keep in mind that injury, irritation, and even disease to any of the joints, vertebrae, discs, or ligaments can result in pain. The most effective treatment for lower back pain is one that directly addresses the root cause of your pain.
How Does Lower Back Pain Affect My Life?
The lower portion of your back, which includes only five vertebrae, is the area where the pelvis and spine connect. These vertebrae carry the weight of your upper body and also are responsible for movement throughout your midsection. When your lower back hurts, you could feel numbness and tingling through your legs, a burning or stinging sensation, a dull or sharp pain. The specific feelings can vary from person to person and based on the cause of the pain.
For some people, the pain may be alleviated when sitting down. For others, moving or changing positions can provide some relief. Because of this, back pain may result in being confined to a bed or chair, or it may cause you to move more frequently in an attempt to get comfortable. Things as seemingly simple as reaching to grab the remote control or bending down to tie a child’s shoe can be excruciating. Because this is an important area of the musculoskeletal system, pain in the lower back can impact most of your regular daily activities.
When To See A Doctor
Some people find relief by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, using a heating pad or staying off of their feet for a few days. However, if your pain lingers for longer than four weeks, you should seek medical assistance. You should schedule a doctor’s visit sooner if the pain is so severe that it interferes with your ability to work and tend to responsibilities or if it worsens over time. Fever with back pain requires immediate medical attention. Your doctor may conduct a physical exam and use an x-ray and other forms of imaging to identify the cause of the pain.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
There are many causes of pain in the lower back. Some of the more common causes are:
- Infections
- Fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Neoplasms
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Compressed nerves
- And others
If the doctor identifies the pain coming from the spine’s bony structures, osteoarthritis, an infection, osteoporosis, a neoplasm, or spondylolisthesis may be suspected. Issues with the discs may include a protrusion, an infection, a compressed nerve, osteoarthritis, and others. Problems with the spinal ligaments and muscles may also be the cause. These problems could include a torn or strained ligament, a muscle strain, a muscle tear, or myofascial pain syndrome.
Diagnosing Back Pain
During a physical exam, your doctor will ask you to lift your legs, stand, sit and walk. Based on the findings from a physical exam, the doctor may want to proceed with additional tests and imaging. In addition to an x-ray, your doctor may order blood tests, a CT, an MRI, a nerve study, or a bone scan. Through the test and imaging results, your doctor will be able to identify what is causing the pain. This enables the creation of an effective, focused treatment plan that targets the cause.
What Can I Do To Get Rid Of Lower Back Pain?
With so many potential causes of lower back pain, it may not be surprising to learn that there are numerous treatment options. Some people may be inclined to partake in bed rest, but this could negatively affect their range of motion and flexibility. If possible, it may be better to remain as active as is manageable without exacerbating the pain. If the pain is due to strain on the joints and ligaments, weight loss may be helpful. There are several other treatments that your doctor could recommend.
A Back Brace
If your back pain stems from an injury, a back brace may provide the extra support you need while the injury heals. This may be recommended in conjunction with physical therapy or occupational therapy. In addition, remaining reasonably active is important as it promotes the recovery of flexibility and range of motion.
Medications
Depending on the severity of the pain, your doctor may prescribe prescription or over-the-counter pain medications. These include NSAIDs, acetaminophen, membrane stabilizers, and muscle relaxants. Often, these medications may be recommended to manage pain in conjunction with another treatment option.
Epidural Injections
In some cases, your doctor may treat your back pain with an epidural steroid injection. With a needle, the steroid will be injected into the spinal cord’s epidural space. This treatment may need to be repeated, depending on the specific condition that is causing the pain.
Trigger Point Injections
Muscle spasms in the lower back may be treated with trigger point injections. The injection typically includes a combination of a steroid and a local anesthetic. It specifically targets the pain’s source to relax the muscle and provide pain relief.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
An FDA-approved treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis is lumbar decompression. This is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that relieves pressure accumulating around the spinal nerves. The treatment involves extracting extra tissue along the spinal.
Other Treatments
Given the wide range of causes of pain in the lower back, there are several other treatments that may be used. In fact, these range from weight loss to surgery. Other treatments include spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, kyphoplasty with vertebroplasty, intrathecal pump implants, and peripheral nerve blocks with ablation.
Seek Treatment Today
Whether your pain is mild or severe, the first step is to get a diagnosis of the cause. Through a proper diagnosis, your doctor can then recommend a treatment that is effective for the condition. Dr. Macrinici at Advanced Pain & Spine focuses on helping patients find relief from their back pain to get back to a pain-free life. Schedule an appointment at Advanced Pain & Spine today.