Chronic Back Pain Causes and Treatments for Suffering Individuals

If you suffer from chronic back pain, you know how difficult it is to manage many everyday tasks. Your back pain may be caused by a number of factors, some of which can be resolved with the right treatment. Here are some common causes of chronic back pain and treatment options that may bring you some relief.

Being Overweight

Being overweight can be especially problematic for your back if you tend to store extra fat around the abdominal area. Abdominal fat coupled with weak abdominal muscles can put extra strain on your back and lead to chronic pain. The best way to resolve this issue is to exercise regularly to lose belly fat and strengthen the abdominal muscles. Crunches, planks, and other exercises that strengthen and tone the core are great to help you lose weight. If these exercises are too painful for you to perform, your doctor or a physical therapist can recommend modified workouts to help you get the best results. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet that consists of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables and is low in saturated fats, processed foods, and sugary snacks.

Skeletal Abnormalities

Your back pain could be related to a skeletal abnormality that affects the alignment of your spine or other bones around your back. The National Institute of Health states that scoliosis (spinal curvature) and lordosis (an unusually accentuated lower back arch) are among the most common skeletal abnormalities that often cause chronic back pain. Some abnormalities can be corrected by wearing a back brace for a period of time. Surgery may also be recommended in cases of more severe abnormalities.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc occurs when a spinal disc slips out of place or ruptures. This can often be caused by a traumatic injury or when the spinal discs degenerate because of old age. People who work in industries that require them to do a lot of heavy lifting are at greater risk of developing herniated discs. Doctors often take conservative approaches with herniated disc treatment to try to ease symptoms without causing further trauma to the back. According to Mayo Clinic, doctors sometimes administer cortisone injections or prescribe medications to alleviate pain. Physical therapy can also be beneficial. If more conservative treatment measures are proving to be ineffective, surgery is usually recommended.

Sciatica

In addition to causing shooting pains down the legs, sciatica is often responsible for chronic lower back pain. This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve gets compressed. You may experience frequent shock-like sensations in your lower back if you have sciatica. Along with over-the-counter and prescription medications, doctors sometimes inject a steroid medicine into the area around the spinal nerve to try to ease suffering. Acupuncture and physical therapy may also be recommended for the treatment of sciatica.

Fortunately, there are solutions available if chronic back pain seems to be dominating your life. By getting a proper diagnosis and starting on the right treatment course, you’ll be on the path to alleviating your back pain once and for all.