Back Pain

What is Back Pain?

Back pain or backache is the pain felt in the back that may originate from damage to the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems experienced by most people at some time in their life. It can be acute, usually lasting from a few days to a few weeks, or chronic, lasting for more than three months.

Characteristics of Back Pain

Back pain can occur as a dull constant pain or a sudden sharp pain. It may be confined to one area or radiate to other areas such as the arm and hand, upper or lower back, and leg or foot. 

Related Symptoms

Other than pain you may experience weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs caused by damage to the spinal cord.

Risk Factors for Back Pain

Athletes participating in sports such as skiing, basketball, football, ice skating, soccer, running, golf or tennis are at a greater risk of developing back pain. During these sports activities, the spine needs to bear more stress, take up more pressure, undergo twisting and turning, as well as bodily impact. This may cause strain on the back that can result in back pain. Athletes are at a high risk of back pain both from trauma and from overuse injuries, especially in sports requiring hyperextension. 

Causes of Back Pain

The common causes of back pain in athletes include:

• Musculoligamentous strain: It is the most common sports injury caused by injury to the soft tissues around the spine.
• Spondylolysis: It is most commonly found in athletes who participate in sports such as gymnastics, pole-vaulting, and football. All these activities require frequent hyperextension of the lumbar spine.
• Spondylolisthesis: It is a condition of the spine that occurs when one vertebra is displaced or has slipped forward over the other below it.
• Herniated nucleus pulposus: When an injury occurs, the central core of the disc is pushed through a tear in the outer hard layer of the disc, causing a bulge and pressure on nearby nerves. If the herniated disc presses on a spinal nerve, it can cause back pain.

Other causes include growth-related problems such as scoliosis and Scheuermann's kyphosis.

Diagnosis of Back Pain

Your physician will diagnose back pain by reviewing your history and symptoms and examining your spine. A complete examination includes the examination of the signs of unusual curves of the spine, rib hump, tilted pelvis and tilting of the shoulders, and a test of your sensations. Other diagnostic tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. 

Treatment for Back Pain

The treatment for back pain is usually non-surgical and includes:

• Anti-inflammatory medications or NSAIDs are recommended to provide relief from pain.
• Cold packs, heat packs or both, applied to your back will help ease much of the discomfort and relieve stiffness as well the pain.
• Sleeping with the pillow between the knees while lying on one side or placing the pillow under your knees when lying on your back may help relieve back pain.
• Exercises to strengthen your trunk and back muscles may be recommended.

These measures help to relieve your back pain; however, in certain conditions, the pain may not be resolved and may require surgical treatment. Your physician will decide on the appropriate surgery based on several factors.