Back pain has become one of the common problems across the population all over the globe, irrespective of age. Work professionals with sedentary lifestyles, homemakers, and the elderly population who deal with ageing-related issues; in fact, even school kids who carry heavy backpacks aren’t spared from this condition. Physical overexertion due to stress, long desk work hours without physical movements along with the poor postures, at times along with the muscle strain may cause temporary backpain, which in the case of most of the people who visit us for backpain related issues, but, at some time backpain in itself may be the indication of other medical conditions including the issues in the spine, joints and nerves related. Hence, it’s wise to seek medical help irrespective of the intensity of pain, so that the seemingly generic back pain doesn’t turn out to be a complicated issue requiring extensive medical treatment, and minor issues can be managed or treated at the primary stage itself. Understanding the differences between common back pain and the back pain that may be a sign of any other medical conditions will help any individual to seek medical support on time, while also helping them avoid further complications, and this article aims at clearing the air around this aspect, so that individuals seek consultation earlier than it’s too late.
The main reason for the common back pain issues mostly stems from the improper lifestyle that most of us now have in today’s generation, which includes a lack of physical activities, poor posture, long-term sedentary work with minimal to no body movements, and long screen time usage. And even if someone tries to make time amid their busy schedules and manage their physical activity by hitting the gym, improper, unskilled, or untrained lifting of weights might also lead to a common back pain issue. People ignore these pains by resorting to self-medication and overlooking the issues until the root cause begins to affect their daily lives regularly. If the back pain recurs over time with varying intensity, it might be due to underlying medical conditions such as spinal disc issues, muscle imbalance, arthritis, nerve compression, or more complex conditions. Also, there is a condition where pain may spread from the lower back to leg often accompanied by the numbness, tingling sensation or weakness, which may be the suggestive condition such as Sciatica or pressure that might be on the spinal nerves, which might need long term treatments and also if these conditions are identified & treated early the result will be effective and will ensure the prevention of future complexities. People most often try to ignore these signs or pain by considering home remedies or over-the-counter medications for back pain, which temporarily mask the underlying conditions. This will worsen the root causes of the pain and may worsen the overall condition if they delay getting it identified by medical experts at an early stage.
Hence, it’s always advisable to seek screening by expert Orthopaedic surgeons or spine health specialists to identify the root cause and start treatment at the earliest. The unbearable pain after accidents, sudden falls or any injuries may be indicative of fractures, ligament injuries, or spine instability. Sudden loss of sensation, problems with walking or running, abnormal hand or leg movements, and loss of balance may indicate nerve issues and require serious medical attention and an earlier treatment approach. Pain accompanied by fever, sudden weight loss, or frequent episodes of fatigue may indicate medical conditions affecting spine health that require urgent intervention and treatment. Also, if there are any issues with bladder or bowel movement accompanied by back pain, then it is mostly related to nerve issues, which need urgent attention as well. One more misconception amongst the general public is that joint stiffness and back pain are a usual part of ageing, but they may not be, as they may indicate problems related to degenerative spine conditions or chronic inflammation. Early recognition of these problems by orthopaedicians using several examination techniques, including imaging studies such as X-rays or MRIs, or a combination of both, helps identify the root cause at the earliest and helps patients recover or manage the condition on time, without allowing it to escalate into further complications.
Following a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, a healthy diet, and adhering to posture corrections in day-to-day life, will help spinal health in many ways and ensure proper body mechanics. One dont have to explore any sort of deep study to understand that following the good postures will avoid most of the stress on their spine. Whether one is moving, sitting, lifting objects, or sleeping, it’s important to maintain proper body alignment, which supports the natural curve of the spine and promotes flexibility and a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise keeps muscles healthy, supports the spine, and helps maintain body balance. Activities such as walking, stretching, yoga, and core-strengthening exercises are more beneficial for spinal health when done under the instructor’s guidelines. Taking frequent breaks from sedentary work, stretching in between, using ergonomically designed chairs, sleeping on a supportive mattress, and avoiding lifting heavy objects without supports or proper guidance or training all play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the spine. Apart from the physical factors mentioned above, in most cases it’s stress that impacts the muscles, nerves & joints around the neck, shoulders, and lower back. Practising relaxation techniques, maintaining adequate sleep, and following an exercise regimen help resolve stress-related discomfort in the body.
Backache or back pain should never be treated as part of a regular lifestyle to be endured day to day. One must understand that our Spine is the foundation of all our body movements and needs our attention, all the time. Posture corrections, regular physical activities, and addressing any discomfort related to backache or lower back pain will help keep the spine in good condition for a long time. Seeking medical support in a timely manner, addressing issues early, and maintaining spine health will ensure the best overall health, not just Spine Health.
Authored By,
Dr Subhodh M Shetty & Team
Senior Orthopaedic Specialist
Spine & Joint Surgeon
MBBS, MS Ortho, D’Ortho (Manipal)
Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (Japan)
Fellowship in Paediatric Spine Surgery (Germany)
Consultant Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon
