A real pain in the back: how to deal with back pain

Written in association with:

Pain management specialist

Published: 21/10/2024
Edited by: Jessica Wise

Back pain, particularly in the lower back (called lumbago), is a common ailment that can affect anyone and can be caused by a variety of conditions or injuries. Back pain can be unbearable, but it can also be corrected. All back pain, between mild to severe, has a cause and that means that there is a solution. Dr Kavita Poply, a leading pain management specialist, clarifies the causes of back pain, and the ways it can be addressed.

What causes back pain?

Back pain is a symptom that isn’t so cut-and-dry, and cannot be attributed to any one issue, which is why a thorough investigation into its cause is necessary to devise an appropriate treatment plan.

Some causes of back pain are:

Strained back muscles Trauma, injury, or fracture Degeneration of the spine Arthritis A herniated disc Poor posture or sleeping arrangements A sedentary lifestyle Sciatica

There are two categories of back pain: inflammatory and mechanical. Inflammatory back pain is caused by arthritis, a disease called ankylosing spondylitis, or other autoimmune diseases that attack the spine, especially the lower part, and will feel better during physical activity and worse with rest. Whereas mechanical back pain is more likely to be caused by stress and wear on the spine, and will feel better when resting and worse during activity.

How is back pain treated?

The first steps for relieving pre-existing back pain include taking anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and applying hot or cold compresses to the painful part of the back. These act more as pain management and not as a curative.

Physical therapy and massage therapy can help address muscular stiffness and knots, and improve mobility with pain reduction.

Aside from medicinal and physical treatment, some measures can be taken in everyday life to avoid or mitigate back pain, such as:

Improving posture when walking, standing, and sitting Being sure not to lift objects that are heavier than can be safely handled, and remembering to always lift from the knees. Keeping physically active with running, walking, swimming, or sports to strengthen muscles Stretching to keep the muscles flexible Sleeping on a supportive mattress

Typically, back pain is best managed with these lifestyle adjustments and simple medical interventions. If these don’t work and the pain is severe, or if the cause is a serious injury, surgery is often the next avenue to provide relief. Surgery can be used to correct herniated discs and compression fractures with a variety of different procedures.

If you are having issues with your back and are struggling with pain, consult with Dr Poply via her Top Doctors profile today.

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