Back problems are the most common physical
complaint among American adults. Back pain can have many causes:
Pain caused by osteoarthritis can occur
anywhere along the spine
The larger back muscles can be affected
by fibrositis
Poor posture or a sedentary lifestyle
Pain in the loin area on either side of
the spine may indicate kidney infection
Damage to spinal discs, joints, ligaments,
or muscles can be responsible for lower back pain
A fall or other injury can cause pain in
the tail bone
People who walk a lot or do physical labor
develop good muscle tone in their backs and legs. People who sit
most of the day lose that muscle tone, and their backs are the
first place to show it. To compensate, many of us turn to exercise
programs. If you are a healthy, active adult and your normal activities
keep you on the go, you may not need a special exercise routine.
If you work in a sedentary job or if you aren't building several
hours of walking or other physical activity into your weekly routine,
you should exercise regularly, with emphasis on toning up those
muscles that keep your back strong.
Back problems rank high on the list of ailments
that are self-inflicted. Most of our back troubles happen because
of bad habits, generally developed over a long period of time:
poor posture; overexertion in work and play; sitting incorrectly
at the desk or the steering wheel; or pushing, pulling and lifting
things carelessly. Sometimes the effects are immediate, but in
many cases back problems develop over time. The most common type
of back pain comes from straining the bands of muscles surrounding
the spine. Although such strains can occur anywhere along the
spine, they happen most often in the curve of the lower back;
the next most common place is at the base of the neck.
Unless you are totally immobilized from a
back injury, your physician probably will test your range of motion
and nerve function to locate the area of discomfort. Blood and
urine tests will make sure the pain is not due to an infection
or other systemic problem. X-rays are useful in pinpointing broken
bones or other skeletal defects, and can sometimes help locate
problems in connective tissue. To analyze soft-tissue damage,
computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
may be necessary. X-rays and imaging studies are generally reserved
for viewing direct trauma to the back, back pain with fever, or
neurological abnormalities, such as extremity weakness or numbness.
To determine potential abnormalities that affect nerve and muscle
stimuli, an electromyogram (EMG) can be useful.
Treatment
Because back problems stem from a variety
of causes, some of which may not be readily apparent, treatment
goals are pain relief, rest, and suitable restoration of movement.
Exercise is the basic treatment for
relieving back pain from strain or minor injury with immediate
bed rest with an ice pack, and aspirin, or another medication
to reduce pain and inflammation. After the inflammation subsides,
applying heat can soothe and restore muscles and connective tissue.
Strengthening both the abdominal and back
muscles helps stabilize the spine, and you can help prevent back
injury by gentle stretching and proper lifting techniques.
Medications
If back pain becomes truly immobilizing, your physician will probably
prescribe an appropriate over-the-counter or prescription painkiller
and possibly a muscle relaxant.
Surgery
Surgery for nonspecific back pain is a last resort. In cases of
persistent pain from extreme nerve damage, rhizotomy -- surgically
severing a nerve -- may be necessary to stop transmission of pain
to the brain. Rhizotomy can correct the symptoms caused by friction
between the surfaces in a spinal joint, but it doesn't address
other problems, such as herniated discs.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
