Back pain is listed among the most common reasons for people to miss a day of work or visit their primary care physician. It is a leading cause of disability around the globe. Almost everyone has had some sort of back pain at one time or another -- even children.
Symptoms of Back Pain
Aching muscles
Pain that radiates down your leg
Limited range of motion or flexibility of the back
Stabbing or shooting pain
When to Seek Medical Attention
Thankfully, most back pain issues resolve on their own within a week or two of rest and home care. If this is not the case with you, it is a good time to consult a doctor. There are rare instances where back pain can predict a serious medical problem. If you experience one of the following, it is a good idea to get medical attention as soon as possible.
A new problem with your bowels or bladder
It is severe and doesn’t improve after rest
Follows a blow to your back, a fall, or another type of injury
Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain is below the knee
Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Is accompanied by a fever
Causes weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs
If you are over the age of 50 and have never had back pain before
If you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse
Who Is at Risk for Back Pain?
Young and old alike can get back pain at any time. Researchers are still working on discovering what causes this to occur. However, they have found that the following may put you at greater risk:
Excess weight: Carrying extra pounds can stress your back
Improper lifting: Using your back instead of your legs can lead to back pain
Psychological conditions: Those who have depression and anxiety often have back pain
Smoking: This prevents your body from being able to get the proper nutrients to the discs in your back
Lack of exercise: Unused back muscles become weak and may lead to back pain
Age: Beginning around age 30 to 40, back pain becomes more common as you age
Disease: Some cancer and arthritis can cause back pain
Is Your Back Pain Due to a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc has to do with a problem in one of the rubbery cushions or discs located between the vertebrae in the spine. You may compare the discs to something like a jelly doughnut. They have a soft center with a tougher exterior. A herniated disc, also called a ruptured disc, happens when the exterior of the disc tears and some of the softer center leaks out. This irritates nearby nerves and results in pain, weakness, and numbness. This is not always the case as some people live a long time with a herniated disc and have no pain. Back pain due to a herniated disc is not a problem that usually requires surgery.
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
Herniated discs most often occur in the lower back but they can also happen in the neck area. The most common symptoms are:
Numbness and tingling: This often occurs in the body part that is supplied with the nerves near the herniated disc.
Weakness: Muscles connected to the affected nerves tend to weaken and cause you to lose the ability to hold or lift items.
Arm or leg pain: If the ruptured disc is in your lower back, you will most often feel the most pain in your buttocks, thigh, calf, and maybe your foot. If the disc that is herniated is in the neck, your pain can be most painful in your arm or leg, especially when you cough, sneeze, or move in a particular way.
What Causes a Disc to Herniate?
Disc degeneration, the gradual, age-related wear and tear on the spine, is usually the reason for a disc to herniate and cause back pain. Over time, the discs of your spine lose some of their water content, making them less flexible and more easily torn. This can happen with a simple twist the wrong way or a minor strain.
Most of the time, it is impossible to tell exactly what caused the herniated disc to occur. It may be due to lifting incorrectly or turning and twisting while lifting. Rarely, a fall or a back injury can cause a disc to herniate. This is similar to the above list of reasons for back pain, as the two often go hand-in-hand.
Finding Relief from Back Pain
It has been repeatedly seen that back pain can be due to a misaligned bone in the top part of the neck. Even if the misalignment is as small as ¼ of a millimeter, it can lead to back pain and additional health problems in the body. If you suspect that you have a herniated disc, a good place to begin relieving your pain is to remove the stress being put on the muscles and nerves. To do this, the spine must be in the best shape possible.
Viewing the spine as if it were dominoes set up on end in a row can help explain how this happens. If one is just slightly pushed out of place, the entire line is affected. Therefore, correcting the bone that is at the top of the neck, the atlas bone, can ensure overall health for the rest of the spine.
Here at N8 Upper Cervical in Metro Manila, Philippines, we do this by using a gentle and precise method to help the bones of the neck to realign more naturally than popping or cracking the spine. The method is based on scientific measurements and specific movements. Once corrected, the muscles and nerves of the back can heal, and this often leads to much relief for back pain sufferers.
To schedule a consultation with N8 Upper Cervical Chiropractic clinic, call (02) 8553-6218 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.