Back pain is a common complaint among all age groups, from productive age to the elderly. Many factors can cause back pain, from muscle stiffness to nerve disorders.
The back is a vital part of the body, helping to support the body and maintain balance. Furthermore, although often overlooked, the back area contains numerous vital components, including bones, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.
What is the function of the back?
The back plays a crucial role in maintaining good body shape. Poor posture, particularly in the back, can lead to a hunched or S-shaped spine.
Movement of the back helps maintain flexibility, making certain movements easier. This flexibility can be trained to become more flexible through various exercises. The back also contains bony structures that help protect the surrounding blood vessels and nerves.
The vertebrae, or spine, specifically, contain the spinal cord, which is the central nervous system and is crucial for the nervous system. The back also plays a role in supporting the body's weight during daily activities and when lifting heavy objects. The muscles and bones in the back, in addition to supporting weight, also play a crucial role in maintaining balance.
Causes of back pain
A fairly common complaint in the back area is pain. Back pain can be caused by many factors, including disorders of the muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Here are some things that can cause back pain:
Bad posture
Whether sitting, standing, or engaging in activities, we often forget about good posture. This long-term condition can affect the structure of the spine, causing muscle stiffness and even nerve damage.
Trauma
Trauma or injury to the back area can cause damage to surrounding tissues such as inflammation of the muscles, blood vessels, ligaments and nerves.
HNP
Herniated nucleus pulposus is a condition where the cushion between the vertebrae protrudes or ruptures, which can pinch the surrounding nerves and cause pain.
Aging
Aging or degenerative processes, such as osteoporosis, can cause bones to become brittle, increasing the risk of fractures and pinching surrounding nerves. This can also trigger back pain.
Obesity
One of the back's functions is to support the body's weight. When you're overweight, the load on this area increases, requiring the surrounding structures to help support the body. This can lead to muscle stiffness and pain.
Lifting the wrong weight
Maintaining good posture is crucial, especially when lifting weights. Improper positioning can lead to injuries ranging from mild muscle strains to severe ones affecting the nervous system.
How to treat back pain?
In mild cases, stretching can help stretch and relax stiff muscles. Pain relievers can also be taken to help relieve pain.
However, if symptoms persist, it's best to consult a doctor for further evaluation and identification of possible causes for appropriate treatment. Anti-inflammatory medications can also be prescribed to help manage inflammation. Medication can be given orally, but if necessary, it can also be given by injection into the source of the pain.
Physiotherapy may also be recommended to improve posture to help relieve symptoms. This therapy can be performed periodically with regular follow-up.
In severe cases, such as herniated discs (HNP) that compress the central nervous system and cause symptoms that interfere with activity, surgery is often recommended. However, this will depend heavily on the patient's condition and underlying cause, which will be considered by the treating physician.
Written by Dr. Valda Garcia. Reviewed by Dr. Ernest Eugene
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