Back pain: symptoms, causes and how to treat it

Definition of back pain

Back pain or spinal pain is pain that occurs in the part of the vertebrae. This pain or pain can occur in the vertebrae of the neck (cervical spine), upper and middle back (thoracic bone), lower back or waist (lumbar bone), and / or coccyx (sacral bone).

However, of all parts of the bone, pain in the lumbar spine (lower back pain) and cervical spine (neck pain) is more common. This is because the two bones are prone to injury, disturbance, or tension because of their main function of holding posture and body weight. This part of the bone is also involved in movements of the upper body, such as twisting and bending.

As for other bone parts, such as the sacral bone (coccyx pain) and the thoracic bone, can also experience pain. It's just that the thoracic bones tend to be stiffer so they rarely experience injury and pain.

Pain in the spine can be temporary, but can come back. This condition can occur due to sudden injury or due to gradual overuse.

Signs & symptoms of back pain

Pain can occur in one specific area of ​​the spine or along the vertebrae. Most pain is temporary, but chronic and recurring pain can occur.

In general, here are the characteristics and symptoms that can be felt when the spine hurts:

• Aching or stabbing pain that can last up to 10-14 days.
• The pain can radiate to other areas of the body, such as the legs, hands or chest, or worsen with movement.
• The lower back feels stiff so it is difficult to move.
• Posture looks abnormal.
• The occurrence of muscle spasms during activity or rest.
• Loss of motor function such as tiptoeing.
• Slowing reflex.
• Numbness or tingling sensation.

Apart from those mentioned above, you may also experience other related symptoms, such as fever to feel chills, unusual weight gain or loss, stress or emotional problems, dizziness, headaches, to sexual dysfunction.

When to see a doctor?

You need to consult a doctor when you experience various symptoms that refer to pain in the back or spine, especially if the pain does not subside within a few days or a matter of weeks despite taking medication.

Your doctor can diagnose and find the best treatment to prevent and treat the pain you feel.

Causes of back pain

The spine consists of 33 vertebrae, discs, spinal cord, and nerve fibers. The spine is also supported by three types of muscles, namely the extensor (back muscles and gluteal muscles), flexors (abdominal muscles and iliopsoas muscles), and oblique or rotator (side muscles).

Spinal pain is common as a result of trauma or sudden injury or long-term overuse. This causes the muscle fibers (ligaments) to stretch abnormally so that they may cramp, tighten, twist, or tear.

Muscles that stretch due to injury or repeated wear can result in inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue. This inflammation causes the spine to feel painful due to muscle spasms.

Spinal pain can also be caused by problems with nerves, such as sciatica pain. A pinched nerve in the back can cause pain that radiates from the spine to the ends of the body or the chest wall.

The causes of back pain, whether in the neck, upper or lower back, or tail, can also come from several other conditions, such as:

1. Spinal disorders

The normal shape of the spine is straight down and slightly curved. These natural curves help support your posture and balance your body.

However, when the curvature is extreme or even makes it bend, this is a sign of an abnormality in the spine, such as lordosis, kyphosis, or scoliosis. This deformity will put excessive pressure on the vertebrae and discs, causing pain.

2. Broken bones

Physical injury that causes a vertebral fracture can be painful. The risk of fractures can also increase due to certain medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, which can make bones weak and brittle.

3. Degeneration of the disc or spinal discs

Degeneration of the disc or spinal discs occurs as a result of aging or worn bones. However, this condition can also occur more quickly due to injuries, bone disease, and unusual stress.

Degenerated spinal discs can irritate the spinal cord, making it unstable. This condition can cause pain in your spine.

4. Disc hernia

Herniated disc or disc hernia is a displacement or rupture of the gel pad that sits between the spinal discs. This can cause excessive pressure on the spinal cord.

Excess pressure on the spinal area can cause waist and lower back pain and numbness. Some people also experience weakness in the back and legs.

5. Stenosis

Stenosis is a narrowing of the spine that can press on the nerves of the bones and cause pain and other symptoms.

Risk factors for back pain

Apart from the causes above, there are also various factors that increase a person's risk for feeling pain in the spine. These risk factors, namely:

• Increasing age

Spinal pain can be affected by the aging process you age. The older you are, the more likely you are to experience pain around the spine.

• No exercise routine

Muscles and joints that are not commonly used and trained can increase the risk of pain in the spine.

• Overweight

Being overweight can put extra pressure on the spine, causing pain.

• Strenuous activity

Jobs or activities that require you to lift, push, or pull anything heavy can increase your risk of back pain. Not maintaining posture and sitting too often can also cause pain.

• Never been injured before

If you have had an injury in the past months or years before, you are at risk of developing back problems later in life.

• Smoke

Research shows that smokers experience pain in the spine more often than nonsmokers. The reason is, smoking triggers a person to cough more often, which can cause disc hernias. Smoking also decreases blood flow to the spine and increases the risk of osteoporosis.

• Bone disease

Bone diseases, such as arthritis and osteoporosis or even bone cancer can increase your chances of experiencing back pain.

Diagnosis & treatment of back pain

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to diagnose pain in the spine?

A diagnosis of back pain is usually only necessary when the pain has lasted more than two weeks and has not improved. Especially if the pain has spread to other areas of the body and through the spine.

To diagnose the pain, the doctor will generally perform a physical examination in the form of:

• Do certain exercises to see how strong you are.
• See flexibility such as twisting and bending movements.
• Assess the area of ​​pain by touching a specific body part.
• Check if you can feel hot, cold, or prickling.
• Perform tests to check reaction and motor skills.
• See the shape of the position of the spine and muscles.

In addition, the doctor will also carry out further tests to confirm this, such as:

• Laboratory test

Sometimes, pain in the spine can be caused by other diseases that are not directly related to that part of the bone. To be sure, the doctor may ask you to do laboratory tests, such as blood or urine tests.

• Imaging test

Imaging tests are needed to look at structures inside your body, including bones and joints. This examination can help the doctor find abnormalities in the bone or surrounding tissue that may be causing pain.

Some of the imaging tests that are commonly done, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or CT scan.

• Electrodiagnostic test

This test includes a series of tests that measure the electrical activity of nerves and muscles. Two common tests are electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies. This examination helps the doctor assess nerve and muscle function and find any damage that could be causing it.

How to treat back pain?

There are several causes that can trigger back pain. Therefore, the treatment your doctor recommends may vary from person to person.

Initially, your doctor may recommend that you reduce your activity and rest for 1-3 days when new symptoms appear. This time frame is considered ideal because too long resting time can actually increase pain and loss of muscle strength.

If by resting alone the pain has not subsided, the doctor can suggest treatment. Here are some common ways, including medication, to treat back pain that doctors give:

1. Painkillers

Quoted from The National Center of Biotechnology Information, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used as an option to relieve mild to moderate pain in the spine, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. If symptoms are more severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers, namely opioids, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or tramadol.

Apart from pain relievers, other medications may also be given to help treat back pain, such as antidepressants (duloxetine) or muscle relaxants.

2. Physical therapy

Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy as a way to help relieve back pain. It can also help build strength and flexibility and prevent future injuries.

Treatment or physical therapy includes massage therapy, traction, stretching exercises, ultrasounds, ice and heat therapy, to electrical stimulation.

3. Spinal injection

Injections into the spine are recommended by doctors to treat inflammation as well as reduce pain right at the source. Common injections include:

• Epidural steroid (cortisone) injections, in the area near the nerve or inside the spinal canal.
• Injections into small joints (facet joint), in or near joints that can treat arthritis joint pain.
• Joint injections sacroiliac (SI), in the spine as well as the pelvis.
• Trigger point injection (trigger point), to help relax muscles and reduce pain.

4. Surgery

If spinal pain is severe, it is possible if you need a surgical approach, such as laminectomy, microdiscectomy, the joining of two vertebrae, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, or total disc replacement (arthroplasty).

Home treatment of back pain

In addition to medication and treatment from a doctor, you can also do a variety of home treatment methods to help heal back pain. Here are a variety of home remedies that you can try:

• Compressing the spine with a warm or cold towel.
• Do stretches allowed by the doctor.
• Try natural remedies for back pain, such as acupuncture, yoga, massage, or herbs. However, make sure to the doctor that this method is safe for you.

Prevention of back pain

There are many ways you can do to prevent spinal pain, such as:

• Train the abdominal muscles to provide stability to the spine. Exercises that can be done such as swimming, yoga, cycling, and light aerobics.
• Use proper lifting and movement techniques, such as squats, to lift heavy objects.
• Maintain correct posture when sitting and standing.
• Quit smoking.
• Avoid stress. Do things that make you happy to avoid straining your muscles.
• Maintain your weight so that the spine is not put under pressure, which can cause pain.