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Back pain is a very common condition. Though back pain can seriously affect your overall physical and mental health, it most frequently occurs as ‘simple’ low back pain, which is of no long-term concern.
Low back pain is defined as pain occurring in and around the lumbar spine. It can also extend toward the thighs.
The most common causes of back pain recognized by experts are as follows:
Strain is the most obvious cause of back pain. Strain can be a result of repeated heavy lifting or an abrupt awkward movement. Over-activity can also strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
The spine is made of interlocked vertebrae with discs between the vertebra. Herniated or ruptured discs often result in severe back pain. Facet joints in the back of the spine are also prone to degenerative change and cause back pain. In some cases, structural abnormalities, such as an abnormal curvature of the spine, as in scoliosis, may also cause back pain.
Other medical conditions such as kidney infections, infections of the spine, and aortic aneurysms (bulge in the aorta) may also cause back pain.
After studying the symptoms and medical history, a physical examination of the patient is performed. During the physical test, the doctor checks your back for tenderness. Physical examination includes neurological examinations and other tests to determine your muscle strength, reflexes, and walking ability.
Imaging studies are performed to narrow down the cause of back pain. Some of the imaging technologies are as follows:
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)–
These use magnetic fields to provide clear images of the body’s internal structures. These scans generate detailed images of bones and soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, or intervertebral discs.
X-ray:
X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to show a good picture of the spine. Plain X-rays are not able to detect herniated discs, but they can rule out the other causes of back pain.
These are used to generate more detailed pictures of the spinal column by taking a series of X-rays from different directions and combining them to create cross-sectional images.
Blood and urine tests can help determine the underlying conditions, such as inflammation and infection, causing back pain.
A bone scan is performed in rare cases to look for abnormalities, such as tumours in bone tissue.
The following are factors that might put you at greater risk of developing back pain;
Age:
Back pain is more common as we age
Excess weight
One of the leading risk factors that could potentially expose you to back pain is excess body weight.
Improper lifting techniques:
Back pain can occur if you use your back instead of your legs to lift weights.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women often tend to suffer from pain in the back.
Diseases: Medical issues such as osteoporosis (if a fracture is sustained) and arthritis also give rise to back pain.
Poor physical fitness: Lack of physical activity or exercise can weaken muscles in the abdomen and back and result in pain in the back.
Smoking: Smoking also contributes to back pain. The risk happens to increase with the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
Back pain developed from a strained muscle, or a minor injury is short-lived and can be cured with some exercise and painkillers. However, some underlying conditions might also cause a backpain and needs immediate medical attention. You must see a doctor for your back pain when the symptoms do not subside over time or if there is:
Very severe pain that does not go away with rest
Swelling in the back
Pain radiating down the legs
Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs
Loss of control of bladder or bowel function
Sexual dysfunction
Fever and weight loss
Pain which wakes you at night
Back pain developed due to a strained muscle or a minor injury is short-lived and can be cured with some exercise and painkillers. However, sometimes it is caused due to other underlying conditions, and it may need medical attention. You must see a doctor for your back pain when the symptoms do not subside over time or if there is:
Some of the popular therapies which are proved to be effective for curing back pain are as follows;
Surgery is a last resort treatment and is only done in case of those structural abnormalities which do not respond to non-operative measures.
Dr Sherief is the most renowned back pain doctor in Dubai. He is an extensively trained and highly skilled spine surgeon known for exclusively treating patients with spinal conditions. His patient reviews are testimonies to his effective treatment techniques and his caring and comforting approach. To consult Dr.Sherief personally for any spine surgery, please book an appointment.
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