Talk to friends, family or coworkers, and you’ll probably find someone who has experienced some level of back pain. In fact, back problems are the third most prevalent reason people visit a doctor, according to a recent study published by the Mayo Clinic.
Back pain that occurs suddenly — often caused by trauma or muscle strain — and lasts less than six weeks is considered acute. Back pain that lasts more than three months is chronic.
The key to successful treatment of back pain and to managing pain for the long term lies in finding the pain source.
5 of the most common causes of back pain
Whether you’ve had an accident, a sports injury or think you may have arthritis, back pain should not be left untreated. Here are five of the most common causes of back pain:
- Muscle or ligament strain – Your mind says, “I can lift that,” but your body doesn’t comply. It only takes one overly ambitious attempt to lift a heavy object or a sudden awkward movement to strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
- Bulging or ruptured disks – Disks act like cushions between the vertebrae in the spine. When the material inside a disk bulges or ruptures, it can press on a nerve and cause pain.
- Osteoarthritis – The most common chronic condition of the joints, osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can cause spinal stenosis: A narrowing of the space around the spinal cord.
- Spinal abnormalities – Back pain can occur if your spine curves abnormally. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, may also lead to back pain, but generally only if the scoliosis is severe.
- Osteoporosis – In people with osteoporosis, tissue breaks down faster than it can be replaced. Bones become thinner (lose mass) and are more likely to fracture. Your spine’s vertebrae can develop painful compression fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.
Providing personalized, nonsurgical pain relief in South Mississippi
Back pain doesn’t have to rule your life. Not when innovative therapies and the dedicated board-certified physicians at Pain Treatment Center are ready to help. Delivering effective, long-lasting pain relief begins with a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the source of your pain. But successful treatment goes beyond an exam. For us, it’s also about getting to know you; learning how you work, play and live. Then, we create a uniquely personal treatment plan to get you out of pain and back to enjoying life. Let us show you what a difference our care can make.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 601-268-8698 or click here to use our online form.
