Many people suffer because of back pain at one point in their life. Nearly 80% of the whole population has experienced back pain. The major problem with back pain is the cold weather. It often creates issues with your muscles adjusting to the changing weather. If you feel persistent back pain and its symptoms because of various reasons, you can consider talking to the experts of CK Birla Hospital.
Back pain and related facts
Back pain and its symptoms develop after the mid-20s and become common with age. Having lower back pain because of excessive sleep is common. It also occurs because of many other common reasons like:
- bone loss that may appear with aging
- lack of physical fitness
- an unexplained gain in weight
- on-the-job injuries
- bad posture
- Sitting continuously for hours
Posture maintenance is the major issue with back pain. It is the posture-related issues that develop problems in athletes and small children at a very young age.
How do I identify back pain? Is it related to your muscles or disc?
Identification of the back pain and its source becomes critical to the treatment. While imaging can help to check the issue with back, it can help to identify any unknowing experience. Your doctor may require you to have a complete history along with a physical examination. It is often required to create a plan of action, so that you may feel better with time. There are two main sources of back pain. One is sprain and strain and the other is related to a herniated disc. Let us understand what each of the issues means.
Muscle strains and sprains
Muscle Strain – Muscle strain occurs because of the injury to the muscle or bone. There can be chances of strain because of overstretching, twisting, and developing torn muscles. These kinds of injuries get worse with time. Sometimes these injuries are the results of any kind of sports activity, such as lifting, and sometimes a little twist leads to strain. These all conditions may lead to physical damage to your body parts.
Sprain – Sprain affects the ligaments present in the muscles or forming the fibrous tissue bands. These ligaments help to connect the tissues and create a cushion-like bond between the two tissues. Sprain injuries can result because of immediate impacts, like a sudden fall, a sudden turn while playing any kind of sports, and getting involved in any kind of accident.
Disc Problems
- Back pain can also occur because of the herniated disc. It is also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, which is the displacement of the meniscus disc present in the back. The meniscus disc is the kind of body part that helps to absorb the shock. It is the cartilage tissue that separates the bones of the back, medically known as vertebrae.
- A herniated disc is the result of long-term wear or tear of the muscles present in the disc. There is a tough outer layer present outside the meniscus. This layer helps to protect the gel-like inner section called the nucleus pulposus.
- Herniation or rupture results in the split of the outer layer. This “wear and tear” makes the nucleus pulposus push out of the disc. This causes the vertebral bones to shift on the misshapen disc.
- The vertebrae bones start pressing against the sciatica nerve, which is one of the parts of the spinal cord and travels down to the legs. This results in sciatica- a severely painful condition that is accompanied by tingling, numbness and weak muscles, and weak control. In this condition, even a sneeze or cough can affect the back, disturbing the spasms of pain.
Back pain and its symptoms may develop because of the herniated disc and may result in the need for anti-inflammatory medicines and warm compresses. If the condition persists, there can be chances of a decrease in muscle tone, which is usually developed because of inactivity and may develop into long-lasting future problems. If you develop back pain due to herniated disc, your doctor may likely give you an epidural injection of cortisone. This may help in the reduction of inflammation and swelling. In severe cases, especially if there is neurological deterioration, you may develop the need for progressive surgery that suits best under any critical condition.
How does pulled muscle affect your lower back?
A strained muscle in your lower back can create long-lasting lower back pain. These conditions may specifically develop because of:
- hurting your back especially when you move, or when you stay still
- the pain in your back may radiate down to your buttocks and may affect the spine that goes down to your legs
- muscle cramps or spasms in your back
- trouble in walking and bending
- difficulty standing up straight
How do herniated disc symptoms affect your backbone?
Most herniated discs occur in the lower back, but there can be chances that they may radiate to your neck. The signs and symptoms of the pain depend on the situation and the severity of your condition or how much the disc is pressing the nerve. Herniated discs specifically affect one side of your body. It may lead to:
- Arm or leg pain: the spine goes from the head to the lower back area where it meets the buttock and legs. If you develop lower back pain, there can be chances that it may radiate to the thighs or calf. You may also develop pain in your feet. Typically, herniated discs cause pain in the shoulders and arm. There can be a sensation of shooting pain which may become throbbing when you sneeze and cough.
- Numbness and tingling: Back pain and its symptoms may affect your disc and may create numbness and tingling while affecting the body parts.
- Weakness: the muscles may appear to become weak if the pain persists throughout the days. This can result in stumbling and may affect your mobility or the way you lift objects.
Conclusion
The best thing you can do to avoid back pain is to lift the objects carefully. You can either stop trying to lift the objects or have frequent bending and movement of your back. It is better to ask someone to help you. You can also control the pain by using a regular course of medications and exercises.
