Back pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as poor posture, injury, or chronic conditions like arthritis. Regardless of the cause, back pain can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks and activities. In this blog, we will be discussing 10 important facts about back pain that everyone should know.

Common Symptoms of Back Pain:

Back pain can present itself in a variety of ways, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with back pain:

  • Sharp pain
  • Dull/achy pain
  • Pain that radiates down your glutes and thighs
  • Pain that gets worse during activity or movement
  • Pain that gets worse when sitting in the same position for extended periods
  • Stiffness and decreased range of motion
  • Postural issues
  • Muscle spasms

Common Causes of Back Pain:

Back pain can be caused by many different factors. Some of the most common causes of back pain include:

  • Sprains and strains: the most common cause of lower back pain
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: the joint may be tight or too mobile, causing pain that radiates into the glutes and thigh
  • Disc injuries: bulging or herniated disc
  • Sciatica: for example, a herniated disc presses on the sciatic nerve and pain radiates down the leg
  • Osteoarthritis of the spine: inflammation of the joints causes pain and stiffness
  • Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal column
  • Fractures: can be caused by accidents or sometimes osteoarthritis

10 important facts about back pain that everyone should know:

1. Persistent back pain can be scary, but it’s rarely dangerous.

Persistent back pain can be distressing and disabling, but it’s important to note it is rarely life-threatening and you are very unlikely to end up in a wheelchair.

2. Getting older is not a cause of back pain

Although it is a widespread belief and concern that getting older causes or worsens back pain, research does not support this, and evidence-based treatments can help at any age.

3. Persistent back pain is rarely associated with serious tissue damage

Our back’s are strong. If you had an injury, tissue healing occurs within three months, so if pain persists past this time, it usually means there are other contributing factors. A lot of back pain begins with no injury or with simple, everyday movement. These occasions may relate to stress, tension, fatigue, inactivity or unaccustomed activity which make the back sensitive to movement and loading.

4. Scans rarely show the cause of back pain

Scans are only helpful in a minority of people. Lots of scary-sounding things can be reported on scans such as disc bulges, degeneration, protrusions, arthritis etc. Unfortunately, the reports don’t say that these findings are very common in people without back pain and that they don’t predict how much pain you feel or how abled you are. Scans can also change, and most disc prolapses shrink over time.

5. Pain with exercise and movement doesn’t mean you are doing harm

When pain persists, it is common that the spine and surrounding muscles become really sensitive to touch and movement. The pain you feel during movements and activities reflects how sensitive your structures are – not how damaged you are. So it’s safe and normal to feel some pain when you start to move and exercise. This usually settles down with time as you get more active. In fact, exercise and movement are one of the most effective ways to help treat back pain.

6. Back pain is not caused by poor posture

How we sit, stand and bend does not cause back pain though these activities may be painful. A variety of postures are healthy for the back. It is safe to relax during everyday tasks such as sitting, bending and lifting with a round back – in fact, it’s more efficient!

7. Back pain is not caused by a ‘weak core’

Weak ‘core’ muscles do not cause back pain, in fact, people with back pain often tense their ‘core’ muscles as a protective response. This is like clenching your fist after you’ve sprained your wrist. Being strong is important when you need muscles to switch on, but being tense all the time isn’t helpful. Learning to relax the ‘core’ muscles during everyday tasks can be helpful.

8. Backs do not wear out with everyday loading and bending

In the same way lifting weights makes muscles stronger, moving and loading make the back stronger and healthier. So activities like running, twisting, bending and lifting, are safe if you start gradually and practice regularly.

9. Pain flare-ups don’t mean you are damaging yourself

While pain flare-ups can be very painful and scary, they are not usually related to tissue damage. The common triggers are things like poor sleep, stress, tension, worries, low mood, inactivity or unaccustomed activity. Controlling these factors can help prevent exacerbations, and if you have a pain flare-up, instead of treating it like an injury, try to stay calm, relax and keep moving!

10. Injections, surgery and strong drops usually aren’t a cure.

Spine injections, surgery and strong drugs like opioids aren’t very effective for persistent back pain in the long term. They come with risks and can have unhelpful side effects. Finding low-risk ways to put you in control of your pain is the key.

If you are suffering from back pain or would like to seek advice on your back pain from a health professional, we will be happy to help! We will assess your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan to help relieve the pain. Book online here or call 01277 676 676.

Reference:

O’Sullivan, P. B., Caneiro, J. P., O’Sullivan, K., Lin, I., Bunzli, S., Wernli, K., & O’Keeffe, M. (2019). Back to basics: 10 facts every person should know about back pain.