Back pain
Back pain is a common and widespread form of musculoskeletal pain. There are several causes of back pain, and it can be acute or chronic.
The most common form of back pain is non-specific low back pain where no clear cause can be found. This type of pain usually goes away on its own within a few weeks. Specific back pain, on the other hand, has a clear cause that can be identified, such as a herniated disc, osteoarthritis or inflammatory disease.
Some warning signs to seek immediate medical attention include pain radiating to the arms or legs, numbness in the arms and legs, difficulty standing on tiptoe, bowel or bladder emptying problems, pain after a fall, or the presence of fever and chills in addition to back pain.
Cause
The causes of back pain can be many, including muscle strain, overuse, misuse, poor posture, mental stress, age-related changes in the spine and certain rheumatic diseases.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of back pain is usually made through a detailed history and physical examination. If necessary, imaging procedures such as X-ray or MRI can be performed.
Therapy
The therapy of back pain depends on the cause. Non-drug interventions such as physical therapy, manual therapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, heat or cold treatments, and multimodal pain management are often used. Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and inflammation. In some cases, surgery may be necessary, especially if nerve damage is present or conservative treatments do not work adequately.
It is important to take back pain seriously and see a doctor early to get the best possible treatment and avoid long-term consequences.