Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain Symptoms

Chronic Back Pain symptoms are generally similar to typical back pain, with the difference in duration of the pain. The common signs and symptoms of chronic back pain are:

• Mild to severe pain that doesn’t go away. You may have a short duration of pain-free or low-pain period before the pain flares intensely again. The back pain is defined as chronic when it has persisted for 3 months.
• Dull aching or throbbing pain in the back.
• Sharp or stabbing pain. The sensation may radiate to the abdomen or the buttock.
• Aching or burning pain. The sensation may radiate into the thighs or the legs. If there are numbness or weakness sensations, they may indicate neurological deficits.
• Stiffness and soreness of the back.

When to See a Doctor for Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain can be constant discomfort in your daily life, but you can still manage to perform daily activities. However, there are some signs and symptoms that indicate the need to see a doctor. The symptoms are:

• The pain has become chronic and lasted for more than 3 months. Self-treatments are proved to be unsuccessful and the pain has become worsened as time passes.
• The pain has radiated into the legs consecutively for 2 weeks. It can happen on just one side of the body or both sides. The accompanying symptoms alongside the pain are numbness and weakness.
• The pain gets worse at night.
• The pain gets worse with movements, including rolling to sides, and sitting to standing.
• The pain gets worse when you sneeze, cough, or urinate.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Urinary or defecation incontinence.

Diagnosis for Chronic Back Pain

A medical history and physical examination are used to diagnose chronic back pain. The doctor may order an additional examination, such as an MRI, to confirm the hypothesis. The MRI is beneficial in terms of producing a high-quality image that shows the state of the structures and impairment boundaries. The image produced from this procedure shows the distinct differences between the structures: the spines, the discs, the spinal nerves, and the soft tissues. The doctor can diagnose the root cause and determine the best treatment for you with the help of MRI images.

Treatment for Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is a condition that can be managed. Mostly, the doctor will prescribe you a non-surgical treatment as an initial treatment, before changing to surgery if the need arises. Non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, medications, spinal injections, and RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation). Surgery may be considered as an alternative if the condition is severe and in need of surgical treatment. Details of each method will be described below.

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy can help relieve back pain. The program can be varied depending on your condition and your therapist. Normally, the physical therapy sessions include exercises, mobilization, and modalities to relieve pain, such as Therapeutic Ultrasound Therapy and Electrical Stimulation (ES). In addition, your physiotherapist may recommend retraining your posture, testing the limits of your pain tolerance, and prescribing an exercise program to help with the condition. The exercises generally include flexibility exercises, aerobic exercise, and core-strengthening exercises. Ergonomic adjustments in daily life may be suggested as well.

Medications

Usually, the doctor will prescribe you analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and other medications to relieve pain. It is suggested that you take prescribed medications and tell your doctor if you have allergies. Some medications have side effects and are not intended for prolonged use. Consult your doctor if the medication does not improve the condition.

Surgery

Surgery may be needed in some severe cases. The most common surgical techniques used to treat chronic back pain are endoscopic back surgery and TLIF surgery (Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion).

Endoscopic Back Surgery uses an endoscope inserted into the spine to treat the condition. The benefits of this technique are a small incision, a low level of pain after surgery, and low risks of complications. The patients undergoing this procedure generally recover fast.

TLIF surgery, on the other hand, is performed with the purpose of fusing the vertebrae together. The surgery may use O-arm navigation, the novel technology used to navigate during surgical procedures, in order to increase the success rate.

Injection-based Treatments

If medications and physical therapy are ineffective, your doctor may prescribe injection-based treatments. The injections are typically known as nerve blocks or epidural steroid injections. Some may call it a nerve ablation or a spinal injection. This procedure is commonly used when the root cause of chronic back pain has been determined. The injection will relieve pain and reduce inflammation, but it is not recommended as a long-term solution. The doctor may need to thoroughly examine your health before determining whether this procedure is suitable. Normally, the spinal injection is not to be used in isolation.

Prevention for Chronic Back Pain

Chronic back pain is both treatable and preventable. Normally, prevention includes ergonomic adjustments and lifestyle changes. Here are some examples of how to prevent chronic back pain.

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Maintain a good posture.
• Avoid sitting or standing for a long period of time, including while driving and working on computers. Try to take a small break, frequently, to let your muscles relax.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects or lifting on a regular basis.
• Avoid repetitive movements such as bending your back.
• Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise is good for your overall health because it involves large muscle groups. Strengthening exercises, such as core stabilization exercises, are suggested to prevent back pain as well.
• Quit smoking.

Chronic Back Pain Conclusion

Chronic Back Pain is defined as an ache that occurs anywhere in the back and has persisted for at least 3 months. Other serious conditions, such as HNP, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis, can be indicated by the symptoms. Generally, chronic back pain will be initially treated with non-surgical treatments. If non-surgical treatments prove unsuccessful, surgery may be considered. It is recommended that you seek professional advice in order to get a precise diagnosis and proper treatments suited to your health condition.