A Healthier Back, A Healthier You Tips to Prevent and Alleviate Pain By Cynthia Jeffrey Womens Edition (Oct 2014) Have you ever bent over to pick something up off the floor and found that you couldn’t stand back up? Are you familiar with that searing pain that starts in one area and increases in strength before it finally lets up? Back pain is debilitating, and nearly every person will be affected by it at some point in his or her life. As the back is literally the “backbone” of your body, when it is impaired, so are you. When you are unable to stand up or even lie down without discomfort, your life gets put on hold. With the complexity of your spine, including discs, joints, muscles, tendons, and nerves, it can sometimes be difficult to ascertain the origin of your discomfort. As reported on spinehealth, “A simple lower back muscle strain might be excruciating enough to necessitate an emergency room visit, while a degenerating disc might cause only mild, intermittent discomfort.” So when should you seek treatment for your pain? As everyone is different and has a different pain threshold, it truly will depend upon a variety of issues. Variables may include: severity of pain, location of the pain, your responsibilities, and your ability to follow your treatment provider’s recommendations. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of back pain can include a decrease in flexibility, achy muscles, shooting pain that starts in your lower back and proceeds down your leg, or the inability to have a full range of motion. While these are typical indicators of back pain, they may vary with each person and may also vary with the reason behind the pain. Lower back pain can impact everyone but typically affects people in their 30s and older. If you sit in an office daily without stretching or flexing your body, those muscles may tighten up and start to spasm. Additionally, muscle spasms can cause your spine to come out of alignment, which in turn can cause alternate types of pain. There are 23 discs within your spine, and sometimes they truly just wear out. Your cervical spine is the top level in your neck and includes the top six discs. Your middle back includes 12 discs, while your lower (thoracic) area includes 5 discs. Degenerative disc disease may be a normal part of aging and is one of the top presenters of back pain. Degenerative disc disease may cause decreased flexibility and/or a limited range of motion; however, it can also create tingling and numbness in your limbs. That awful pain in your derriere and hips could actually be sciatica. Comprised of the sciatic nerve, this pain is often symptomatic of something pressing upon the nerve. Many times, sciatica is an indication of something bigger, such as an inflamed nerve or herniated disc, which identifies a rupture of the disc through the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of a herniated disc depend upon the location of the disc; however, it may include pain that radiates into other parts of the body and limited use of limbs. Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain is short term, and lasts less than 6 months (although that may feel like forever when your body is hurting). Acute pain can be debilitating, but it is usually short lived. Chronic pain is long term, and it can be intense. A good example of this is fibromyalgia. This condition is ongoing and often broadly diagnosed. While there are trigger points that may indicate this condition, the symptoms may vary from person to person. Once back pain starts, the next question you need to ask yourself is what type of treatment you should seek. There are several options for treatment, including: Primary care doctor: Medical doctors treat patients with all levels of back pain. You can expect to be given a variety of diagnostic tests to ascertain whether you are suffering from muscle spasms, nerve pain, or issues within your discs. A physician may also order X-rays or more in-depth imaging for proper treatment. If warranted, your primary care doctor may also refer you to physical therapy. Physical therapist: You can expect a physical therapist to complete a physical assessment and develop a treatment plan based upon the referral from your medical provider and your presenting issues. Working as part of your treatment team, your physical therapist will utilize exercise, stretching, and adaptive devices to strengthen you while decreasing your symptoms. Occupational therapist: If you receive a referral to an OT, you can expect an assessment of your surroundings in addition to your current skills and activity abilities. An OT ensures you have the skills and the environment to complete your therapy and receive the support you need. Doctor of osteopathic medicine: DOs recognize the body’s ability to work together and the significance of the neuro-musculoskeletal system. Your DO will also provide an extensive assessment and can provide manipulative therapy in addition to referrals when warranted. Chiropractor: This treatment provider practices under the belief that the spine and vertebra are key to having a healthy body, including nervous system functioning. You can expect an assessment, imaging via X-rays, and a multitude of treatment options. Surgeon: Spinal surgeons may include orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons, depending upon the presenting problem and your preference. Both are skilled in surgery; however, orthopedic surgeons are typically experts in the spine and anything related to the skeleton. Neurosurgeons tend to focus on neurological conditions in regard to the spine, nerves, and spinal cord. Psychiatrist: You may also receive a referral to a psychiatrist if you are suffering from depression or anxiety, or if you require prescription treatment for your musculoskeletal system. Pain specialist: Often an MD or DO, the pain specialist’s only purpose is to control your pain. Treatment may include medications, therapy, relaxation techniques, and alternative medicine. Your pain specialist will work with you to determine the best approach to managing and/or decreasing your presenting level of pain. Typically, all treatment providers will work together to create a plan of action that will get you back to your daily living activities as soon as possible. It is imperative that whomever you choose for a treatment provider has earned your trust, or that can also impede your healing. The best cure for back pain is prevention. Making small changes in your life can truly create a healthier back. Look at your posture. Is your weight evenly distributed on both sides of your body? WebMD recommends taking the following test: Stand with your heels against a wall and make sure your calves, shoulders, head, and buttocks are all touching the wall. Slip your hand behind the small area of your back and step away from the wall. If your posture changes, take note and make the corrections. Remind yourself to do this regularly throughout the day, as poor posture can be one of the leading causes of back pain. Try to stretch daily. Providing your muscles with a guided release allows them to stay strong and healthy. Daily stretching—such as yoga or Tai chi—may also improve your flexibility and gain strength. Exercise at least three times per week. Gardening, walking, and taking a group class at the gym can all have a positive impact on your body. Strength training will provide you with muscle, which in turn assists in keeping your core strong and spine aligned. This is particularly important as you get older. Osteoporosis is a leading cause of bone breaks for women and can be minimized by strength training. Relaxation is something that often is overlooked. Relaxation allows your mind and body to slow down and release any stressors that may be brewing. Anxiety and stress are leading causes for muscle tension, which may lead to muscle spasms. Taking a few minutes of “me” time every day can be beneficial in so many ways for your body, mind, and spirit. Back pain can be debilitating, but it is treatable. Taking the first step and recognizing that your back pain is impacting your life is imperative. Being honest with yourself about the cause of your pain and following through with your treatment provider’s recommendations will also help you minimize the length of your pain and decrease the chance of it impacting your life again. Sources for this article included: spine-health, ninds.nih.gov, mayoclinic.org, spine-health, and webmd.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 17:56:17 +0000
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