Back Pain Symptoms

Back pain is a common condition affecting 8 out of 10 adults and is the number one reason for disability in the world. The intensity of pain differs from person to person.

Back pain is more common in the lower back region, also known as lumbago. Backache can be felt anywhere along your spine, from your neck to hips. Correct back pain treatment is essential to relieve your back pain symptoms. Backache can range from a muscle aching to shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation.

The pain might radiate down your leg or worsen with movements like bending, twisting, lifting, walking, or standing. The back pain is considered chronic if it lasts for more than 12 weeks. People who suffer from back pain experience any combination of the following symptoms:

Pain could be constant or could occur at irregular intervals.

Soreness when the affected area is touched.

Difficulty in performing routine activities like bending, standing, or walking due to pain.

The pain is localized or radiates to the legs, passing through the buttocks and thighs.

Pain in the leg or foot that radiates.

Pain only on one side of the buttock or leg.

Tingling or numbness in the lower body or limbs.

Difficulty in controlling functions of bowel and bladder.

 CAUSES 

Back Pain Causes

Back pain often occurs without any specific cause that can be identified. However, many conditions are linked to back pain causes which are mentioned below:

Occupational strain: This involves excessive bending and lifting weights, twisting or driving.

Lifestyle issues: This happens when the patient leads a sedentary lifestyle, gains weight and does not exercise.

Physical causes: Osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, fracture, injury, tumour or infection in the spine (rare condition)

Age factors: The pain is caused by osteoporosis, disc and joint degeneration, and soft tissue strain.

Medical conditions: Back pain is common in the case of pregnancy or obesity.

DIAGNOSIS 

Back Pain Diagnosis

Your physician will check your complete medical history and also conduct a physical examination to identify the root cause of back pain. Neurologic tests involving sensation and function assessment may be carried out to determine the root cause of pain and devise an appropriate treatment.

Function, reflexes, flexibility, and range of motion are assessed during movements like walking, bending forward and backward, etc. Besides, blood tests may be needed to look for signs of infection, inflammation, etc.

Often, it may become difficult to identify the exact cause of back pain, since there are so many reasons. If the cause is not clear, sometimes, you may be asked to get a few imaging tests to rule out specific causes of pain including tumors, etc. These tests are as follows:

X-ray

CT Scan

MRI

Myelogram

DSA

TREATMENT

Chiropractic techniques

Physiotherapy

Osteopathy

Some Time Medicine