Why Do You Have Back Pain

What Is Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It might feel like a dull, constant ache or a sudden, sharp pain. Back pain can result from:

• Changes that happen in the spine as you age.
• A disorder or medical condition.

Treatment depends on the cause and symptoms of your pain. You can do things to improve your health and lower your chance of developing chronic back pain.

When To Seek Help For Your Back Pain

Although rare, back pain can be a sign of a more serious condition. If you experience any of the following ‘red flag’ symptoms with your back pain then please see a doctor urgently.

When To Contact A Medical Professional

Contact your provider right away if you have:

• Back pain after a severe blow or fall
• Burning with urination or blood in your urine
• History of cancer
• Loss of control over urine or stool
• Pain traveling down your legs below the knee
• Pain that is worse when you lie down or pain that wakes you up at night
• Redness or swelling on the back or spine
• Severe pain that does not allow you to get comfortable
• Unexplained fever with back pain
• Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis

Also contact your provider if:

• You have been losing weight unintentionally
• You use steroids or intravenous drugs
• You have had back pain before, but this episode is different and feels worse
• This episode of back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks

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Could Lower Back Pain Be Kidney Pain

It absolutely can. Kidneys are located on the back side of your body and kidney pain can sometimes feel like back pain. The only true way to tell the difference is to visit a doctor who can conduct a thorough examination.

Back Pain Causes and Treatments Webinar | Stephanie Van, M.D.

Chronic back pain is a persistent source of discomfort for many adults. In this webinar, our expert Stephanie Van, M.D., discusses common causes of back pain along with strategies for relief.

When You Should Go To The Er For Back Pain

If your back pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, head to your closest emergency room because you could be dealing with a more serious condition or injury:

• Sudden spike in pain, discomfort, weakness or numbness
• Loss of bladder function
• Unexplainable weight loss
• The pain results from a fall or severe blow to your back

If you experience any of these symptoms, its a good idea to talk to your doctor so you can determine next steps for managing pain.

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Will My Child Need Surgery

Most kids and teens with spondylolysis do not need surgery. Many young patients actually do better with nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy, chiropractic care, and wearing a brace.

Surgery is typically reserved for children with pain that doesnt go away even after many months of trying other options.

Children with severe slips that lead to loss of spinal alignment may need surgery as well.

Even with treatment, the symptoms of a stress fracture may last into adolescence and young adulthood.

• Confusion, behavior changes

When To See A Doctor

Even though it’s common, most cases of back pain tend to clear up without the need to see a doctor.

You should see your doctor if your pain:

• lasts for a long time
• stops you from working or doing the things you enjoy
• affects your everyday activities

You should also see your doctor if you have any changes in sexual function, for example, being unable to get an erection.

If the pain is causing you significant problems and stops you from getting on with normal life and work activities, your doctor will examine you and ask you questions.

These questions will help predict how likely it is that you need further help with your back pain. If you do need further support, your doctor will make a referral to physiotherapy so that you can have treatment early, to help with the pain and return to normal activities.

Its natural to want to know what has caused your back pain. However, specialists may not be able to tell you for certain what has caused your back pain, even after carefully assessing you.

If youre concerned about the cause of your back pain, it can help to talk openly about any worries with a healthcare professional, as reducing any fear may help speed up your recovery.

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Who Should I See For Lower Back Pain

Your primary care physician knows you best and should be your first contact for lower back pain. If he or she is unable to diagnose or treat the issue, you may get referred to a specialist, such as a rehabilitation physician . These specialists practice a comprehensive approach to lower back pain, and can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that have lower back pain as a symptom.

Later, you may get referred to a physical therapist, a chiropractor or another practitioner depending on the nature of your back pain. The good news is that surgery is rarely needed for lower back pain. Only about one in ten patients needs lower back surgery, Chhatre says.

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Some Of The Most Common Issues That Contribute To Morning Back Pain Include:

This list outlines some of the most common reasons why you might be experiencing back pain in the morning.

When Are Diagnostic Tests For Lower Back Pain Necessary

Many patients do not need X-rays in the first few weeks of pain because their pain will end up resolving. Many more do not need CT scans or MRI imaging, which are overly sensitive and often reveal abnormalities not related to the patients pain. These forms of imaging can be extremely useful, however, if a person has chronic or severe pain, and/or neurological symptoms. Blood tests may be ordered if an infection or tumor is suspected.

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What To Do About Severe Lower Back Pain

If you have severe back pain, connect with a doctor as soon as possible.

You may discuss diagnostic tests if a healthcare professional hasnt already identified the cause of your back pain. After you receive a diagnosis from the doctor, youll discuss treatment options.

If your lower back pain is accompanied by a loss of bowel or bladder control, or progressive neurological loss, seek immediate medical attention. You might need emergency surgery.

There are many ways to prevent lower back pain. Taking these measures may help prevent pain altogether or lessen the severity of your symptoms if you manage to get injured.

Prevention may involve:

Meet Tria Neck And Back Strengthening Program: A Leader In Active Physical Therapy Programs

Your active physical therapy program needs to be intensive and specifically designed to strengthen and condition your back and core. And early on, you need specialized equipment that can help you target those specific muscles. Thats where TRIA Neck and Back Strengthening Program can help.

We opened TRIA Neck and Back Strengthening Program nearly 30 years ago, and weve worked with more than 200,000 patients in that time.

Our active physical therapy program for back pain focuses on spine strengthening. Through this program, youll start by doing an intake with a doctor or a physical therapist who specializes in spine care. Theyll work with you to determine your best treatment plan. Then youll start working one-on-one with a physical therapist who specializes in helping people heal chronic pain.

Want to learn more about TRIA Neck and Back Strengthening Program? Watch this short video.

Your therapy will happen at one of our facilities that features state-of-the-art medical exercise equipment. Programs range usually from six to 12 weeks, but it all depends on your progress and your goals. Youll learn about what chronic pain is and how the brain processes it. Youll also focus on body mechanics such as proper lifting, standing and sleeping all the things that can contribute to back pain but you may not think about.

Since our programs are intensive and last for several weeks, its a good time to use your Flexible Savings Account dollars or your insurance .

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Causes Of Chronic Lower Back Pain

Pain is considered chronic once it lasts for more than three months and exceeds the bodys natural healing process. Chronic pain in the low back often involves a disc problem, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve root. Common causes include:

Lumbar herniated disc. The jelly-like center of a lumbar disc can break through the tough outer layer and irritate a nearby nerve root. The herniated portion of the disc is full of proteins that cause inflammation when they reach a nerve root, and inflammation, as well as nerve compression, cause nerve root pain. The disc wall is also richly supplied by nerve fibers, and a tear through the wall can cause severe pain.

Degenerative disc disease. At birth, intervertebral discs are full of water and at their healthiest. As people age over time, discs lose hydration and wear down. As the disc loses hydration, it cannot resist forces as well, and transfers force to the disc wall that may develop tears and cause pain or weakening that can lead to a herniation. The disc can also collapse and contribute to stenosis.

See Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

Facet joint dysfunction. There are two facet joints behind each disc at each motion segment in the lumbar spine. These joints have cartilage between the bones and are surrounded by a capsular ligament, which is richly innervated by nerves. These joints can be painful by themselves, or in conjunction with disc pain.

See Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Concerned About Your Back Pain Symptoms We Can Help

Most back pain goes away on its own. But if your back pain has been lingering for more than two weeks without improvement, its been coming and going for some time, or if youre experiencing any alarming symptoms, dont delay the care you need. After all, its much easier to take care of yourself when you can move without pain.

Think TRIA Neck and Back Strengthening Program may be right for you? Schedule a consultation.

Not ready for an intensive physical therapy program? Start with physical therapy.

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What Are The Warning Signs Of A Serious Problem

Very rarely back pain or pain that travels down the leg is a sign of a serious problem.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should seek urgent medical attention:

• difficulty controlling or passing urine
• loss of control of your bowels
• numbness around your back passage or your genitals
• serious weakness in your legs so you find standing really difficult
• severe and ongoing back pain that gets worse over several weeks.

The above symptoms could potentially be linked to a rare but serious condition that needs urgent medical attention.

Whats The Best Way To Alleviate Gallbladder Pain

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, theres not much you can do to stop a gallbladder attack while its happening.

You may want to apply a heated compress to the area to relieve the discomfort. Usually, the pain will ease once the gallstone has passed.

Traditional treatment options for gallbladder attack include surgery to remove your gallbladder or medicines to help dissolve the gallstones.

You might be able to prevent a gallstone attack by reducing your fatty food intake and maintaining a healthy weight.

Some other measures that could lower your chances of having gallbladder pain include:

• Eating on a schedule. Skipping meals or fasting may increase the risk of gallstones.
• Eat more fiber. Foods like veggies, fruits, and whole grains contain lots of fiber.
• Try to lose weight slowly. If you lose weight too quickly, youre at an increased risk for developing gallstones. Aim for 1 to 2 pounds a week.
• Exercise. According to the Canadian Society for Intestinal Research, studies show that regular physical activity can lessen your chances of gallstones.
• Check your meds. Some medicines, such as postmenopausal hormones, may boost the risk of gallbladder disease.
• Try magnesium.Studies suggest that males who consume the most magnesium have a lower risk of developing gallstone disease.

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Seeking Help For Lower Back Pain

You may not need to seek help from a health professional for lower back pain. Most people find their lower back pain improves by itself within a few weeks. But if there’s no improvement after two to three weeks or the pain is getting worse, seek advice from a GP or physiotherapist. It’s also worth seeking help if your back pain is stopping you from doing normal activities, or if it goes on longer than six weeks.

Physiotherapists are often best placed to help with back pain. In some areas, you may be able to self-refer to a physiotherapist on the NHS, whereas in others you need a referral through your GP. You can also choose to pay for private physiotherapy.

There are some circumstances when you should always see a doctor straightaway for back pain though. These include if:

• you have numbness or tingling around your bottom or genitals
• you cant control your bladder or bowels
• youre unsteady when you walk, or your legs or feet feel weak, you have sudden, severe lower back pain
• youve been in a major accident, such as a traffic collision or fall
• you have osteoporosis
• theres a visible deformity in your back
• the pain continues when youre lying down or overnight, disturbing your sleep
• you have a history of cancer or have had a recent bacterial infection
• you also have a fever, chills or unexplained weight loss

These can be signs of more serious problems.

When To See A Specialist For Lower Back Pain

If you’re experiencing lower back pain that’s not responding to rest and self-care, it’s time to consider seeing a spine specialist.

“A spine specialist will likely perform a physical exam as well as one or more imaging scans to diagnose the root cause of your lower back pain. Depending on your diagnosis, he or she will then design a treatment plan aimed at alleviating your pain and preventing it from disrupting the everyday activities you enjoy,” says Dr. Palmer.

Next Steps:

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Backache Doesnt Mean You Have Covid

Its important to note that having back pain alone doesnt mean you necessarily have COVID-19. However, as backache can be caused by many factors, and even if you develop it in conjunction with nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing or fever, muscle ache can be indicative of other illnesses like flu.

Similarly, people with pneumonia can also have backache due to inflammation and infection throughout the torso.

The only way to know for sure if you have COVID-19 is getting tested.