What is My Back Pain Telling Me?

What is My Back Pain

Telling Me?

Most of us, at some point in our lives, have suffered from some sort of back pain. Yet, understanding the type of pain and where it’s coming from can be critical during the time of diagnosis. Here to explain, Dr. Amit Chaturvedi, Orthopedic Specialist, reveals the facts about back pain.

Understand the severity of your symptoms According to Dr. Chaturvedi, usually in the 20s and 30s, ‘normal’ back pain can often be attributed to factors of daily life, such as prolonged sitting, lifting children up, or overdoing exercises. He adds, “But in the later decades, work injuries and degenerative conditions are more common. Approximately 80 percent of adults will experience back pain in their lives, so it’s important to be able to identify the severity of your symptoms and track how long the pain lasts. If back pain can be associated with a specific activity, such as lifting or twisting wrong, and the pain goes away within 72 hours after resting and applying ice, it’s usually nothing to worry about. However, if pain creeps on gradually, appears suddenly, or doesn’t go away, a medical opinion is required.”

Types of pain Back pain can range from an aching muscle to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. “In addition, the pain may radiate down your leg or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking,” he says, and if the pain is radiating to the lower limbs, usually it signifies some involvement or irritation of the nerve roots in your lower spine.

Mid-back pain: The common reasons for a mid-back pain, he explains, are poor posture, muscle strains or sprains, sedentary life style, obesity, kidney problems, for example, kidney stones can also mimic mid back pain.

Upper back-pain: The usual reason for upper back pain or pain between the shoulder blades includes poor posture, working on a computer for extended hours, herniated discs in the neck, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine or spondylitis, or fibromyalgia rotator cuff injury, he says. “Nonmusculoskeletal may cause the pain to radiate in the inter-scapular region, while others may include acid reflux, gall stones, heart and lungs conditions.”

Back pain during exercising: Back pain which increases or occurs during or after exercising can be due to herniated disc, muscle and ligament injuries, failing to warm up before exercising or strenuous exercises.

Back pain during walking: Back pain which increases during walking and is associated with numbness in the lower limbs may be a symptom of spinal stenosis, says Dr. Chaturvedi. Tips to Maintain

Optimal Back

Health • Maintain good posture and work ergonomics. • Use a firm or a medium firm mattress. • Maintain a good core strength for your back and abdominal muscles. • Remain active. • Maintain a healthy lifestyle, and weight. • Be mobile. • Take care while heavy lifting. • Avoid smoking. • Avoid sitting for long hours and stand where possible. • Choose the proper footwear and avoid high heels. H