When back pain lasts for three months or more, it is deemed chronic. It comes and goes, offering only a momentary reprieve followed by annoyance. Managing chronic back pain can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what’s causing it.
According to hopkinsmedicine, chronic back pain can also be brought on by a prior injury. Chronic back pain is also brought on by ageing.
The most frequent reasons are as follows:
The cartilage in the spine gradually thins due to osteoarthritis.
Spinal stenosis is a spinal canal narrowing condition that may cause nerve discomfort.
disc issues, such as a bulging or herniated disc
the syndrome of myofascial pain inexplicable soreness and discomfort in the muscles
It might be challenging to pinpoint the exact source of chronic back pain in some situations.
It’s time to get a second opinion from a back pain specialist if your doctor has exhausted all diagnostic possibilities.
It’s important to avoid hasty decisions and costly medical procedures until the cause of your discomfort has been determined. Your best course of action may be to work with your doctor to reduce pain flare-ups and make the pain tolerable utilising nonsurgical treatments if the cause of your pain is unknown or cannot be addressed.
physical exercise
Exercise is the cornerstone of treating chronic back pain, therefore you should try it as one of your initial treatments while being closely monitored by your doctor and a spine physiotherapist. A home exercise programme is also necessary for success.
To keep your mind from concentrating on the pain, this doctor may suggest meditation, yoga, tai chi, and other cognitive and relaxation techniques.
Certain diets can cause a lot of inflammation, especially ones that are rich in trans fats, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods. Ask your doctor whether changing your diet can help with chronic back pain and how to do so. By relieving pressure on your spine, maintaining a healthy weight can also aid with back pain relief.
When you experience chronic pain, you must recognise your limitations and learn to live with them. Pay attention to your body and develop management skills for it. Take a break while mowing the lawn, and make several trips with the groceries. Recognize the activities that make you feel uncomfortable and, if at all possible, avoid them. It can benefit your back as well as stop an underlying illness from getting worse. Another big lifestyle change to think about is giving up smoking.
Science has demonstrated that nicotine worsens pain and delays healing.
Nerve blocks, epidural steroid injections, nerve ablation, and other injection-based procedures can all be used to treat chronic back pain. When the cause of the pain is identified, they may be able to assist rule out specific causes if therapy doesn’t work. The injections may stop temporarily or cause discomfort to lessen. While some cures are temporary, they are not long-term solutions and shouldn’t be used alone.
Your chronic back pain may improve with acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, and other non-surgical spine treatments. Consult your spine expert about any potential alternative therapies.
Chronic back pain can be managed with the aid of painkillers, anti-inflammatory agents, muscle relaxants, and other therapies. However, the majority of them have unpleasant side effects and are not meant for long-term use.
How can chronic back pain be treated?
About Author
