Back Pain – Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatments

Back Pain is a frequent condition affecting many individuals across every age group, and a leading cause of disability and low mobility.

It can be mild, intermittent discomfort to a severe, chronic pain. It is important to understand its root causes, symptoms, and treatments to manage and alleviate pain.

Types of Back Pain

Thoracic Back Pain:

Upper – This pain occurs in between the neck and lower ribcage region.
Middle – Affects thoracic spine, which results in pain in the area between the upper and lower back.

Lumbar Back Pain:

Referred to as Lower back pain, the most common form affecting individuals of all ages.

Radicular Back Pain:

Basically it’s a Sciatica pain that extends from the lower back to the legs. Caused by compression of the sciatic nerve.

What are the most common causes of Back Pain?

Back Pain can arise from various factors, and in some cases, no specific cause can be identified.

Mechanical and Structural Causes :

Degenerative Disc Disease – This is an age-related breakdown of intervertebral discs, that causes pain and stiffness.
Herniated or Ruptured or Slipped Discs – Pressure on the nearby nerves, disc bulges or ruptures, can lead to severe pain.
Spondylolisthesis – This is a condition where a vertebrae moves out of place, leading to compressing nerves.
Scoliosis – Unnatural curvature of the spine that can cause discomfort and pain. Fractured Vertebrae – Condition in which spinal bone breaks, due to trauma or osteoporosis.
Stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal causes extra pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

Inflammatory Issue :

Ankylosing Spondylitis – Arthritis which causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine.
Other (Inflammatory Arthritis) – Rheumatoid arthritis that can affect spinal health which leads to pain and stiffness.

More Medical Conditions :

Osteoporosis – Bone weakening condition, which leads to more susceptible to fractures.
Fibromyalgia – Generalized muscle pain and fatigue which causes chronic issues.
Kidney Stones or Infection – This is a condition of infection in the kidney which can cause pain in the back. Tumors – This causes in rare cases.

How do I know If my Back Pain is Serious?

There are some warning signs which needs immediate medical attention:

Severe Pain – If your back pain doesn’t recover with traditional treatments or rest, or it got worse over time.
Numbness – Condition in which there is numbness or weakness in the legs or feet, means nerve complications.
Bowel Control or Loss of Bladder – Problem while urinating can be a warning sign for an emergency.
Unexpected Weight Loss – Without doing anything weight loss could be a chance of serious medical condition.

What is the best treatment for Back Pain relief?

Homeopathy

This is a holistic approach that uses highly diluted substances to alleviate symptoms. Homeopathy focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself (homeostasis), to restore local balance of the body.

Rhus Toxicodendron – One of the most effective medicines in treating pain that improves with movements.
Arnica Montana – Used for Back Pain caused by injury.
Bryonia Alba – This manages pain and discomfort, especially pain that worsen with time.

Naturopathy

Rhus Toxicodendron – One of the most effective medicines in treating pain that improves with movements.
Arnica Montana – Used for Back Pain caused by injury.
Bryonia Alba – This manages pain and discomfort, especially pain that worsen with time.

Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, Back Pain is nothing but an imbalance of Vata Dosha, which governs movement in the body. Such as:

Panchakarma Therapy – This is the process of detoxification that involves oil massage and steam therapy to alleviate pain.
Herbal Treatment – Ashwagandha, Guggal, and Shallaki are used to balance Vata Dosha that reduce back pain.
Diet – Incorporating nutrients to balance the body’s energy can help to recover with back pain.

Can Stress and Anxiety Cause Back Pain?

Yes, stress and anxiety can cause back pain, because when the body experiences stress it releases stress hormones like cortisol which causes muscle tension, particularly in the upper back portion (back, neck, and shoulders). Muscle tension can lead to pain and stiffness in the body. Poor body posture is also a result of stress and can lead to slouching, which can place extra pressure on the spine and back muscles. Disturbance of sleep caused by anxiety can worsen muscle tension and the perception of pain.

When should I see a doctor for Back Pain?

Consulting a doctor is mandatory if back pain persists more than a week or associated with any of the following factors:

Numbness
Severe pain after taking over the counter medications and rest
Pain from injury
Bowel control
Weakness in legs
Fever
Weight loss

These are the signs that need to be taken seriously because this requires medical help.

Summing Up..

One of the common medical issues is back pain that affects people across all age groups and it causes pain and discomfort which affect daily activities. Finding the root causes of back pain and treatments through posture correction, stretching exercises and herbal remedies.

Early detection can avoid long term damage.