Spinal Stenosis: What You Can Do to Prevent and Manage It
Spinal stenosis is a common source of back pain caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal and irritation of the spinal cord. The causes might vary, and depending on where the pain occurs, we can distinguish between different types of spinal stenosis. Understanding the underlying issues, symptoms, and available treatment methods can bring you closer to getting relief for your back pain.
What is spinal stenosis?
The spinal canal is a space that runs through the entire length of our spine, surrounded by vertebrae. Its function is to protect the spinal cord and the spinal nerves.
Spinal stenosis is a medical condition where the space in - or around - the spinal canal narrows, restricting the nerves or the spinal cord, leading to nerve pain and other symptoms.
Types of spinal stenosis
We can distinguish between different types of spinal stenosis depending on which part of the spine (lumbar, thoracic, or cervical) they occur in and if they affect the spinal cord or the nerves branching from it.
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Lumbar stenosis is the most common form of spinal stenosis and affects the lower back (from L1 to L5 vertebrae). Symptoms can be felt throughout the back, the buttocks, or the legs.
Cervical spinal stenosis
Cervical stenosis occurs in the neck area of the spine (from C1 to C7 vertebrae), which might cause tingling, numbness, nerve pain, and muscle weakness in the neck, radiating to the shoulders, arms, and hands. In some cases, cervical stenosis might also cause muscle weakness in the legs and balance problems.
Central canal stenosis
Central canal stenosis happens when the center part of the spine, the spinal canal, narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord or the cauda equina. It might cause inflammation and weakness in the back and other affected areas.
Foraminal stenosis
Many nerves branch out to the sides of the spinal cord. These are called spinal nerves, and they go through the nerve root canals found on the sides of the spine. When these canals get constricted, it can pressure these nerves, causing foraminal stenosis, also known as lateral stenosis. This might lead to nerve pain, muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling in various areas depending on the affected nerves.
Spinal stenosis symptoms
The symptoms of spinal stenosis can vary depending on whether it affects the spinal cord or the spinal nerves and the area of the spine where the problem occurs.
Some people with spinal stenosis might never have any symptoms, while others might experience a wide range of them. Spinal stenosis might cause the following symptoms:
- Back- or spine pain
- Nerve pain in the limbs, shoulders, buttocks, neck, or the back
- Tingling sensation
- Numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Balance problems
- Difficulty controlling bowel or bladder movements
The symptoms of spinal stenosis often occur slowly at first and worsen gradually over time. Certain positions might alleviate the pressure on the nerves, temporarily making these symptoms less apparent.
Spinal stenosis might lead to other, more specific, medical conditions. We will list some of these below.
Cauda equina syndrome
The cauda equina is a group of nerve roots at the bottom of the spine, in the lumbar and sacral area. These nerves play a vital role in controlling bladder and bowel functions and the movement of the legs. If these nerves get constricted, it might cause problems in these areas, a condition called cauda equina syndrome. If you experience nerve pain and difficulty controlling the functions mentioned above, you should seek medical help immediately.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve stems from the lower back and runs throughout the buttocks and the legs. Its function is to transfer sensations and control movement. When the sciatic nerve gets irritated or constricted, it might lead to burning or needle-like pains, tingling, and numbness in the affected areas. This condition is called sciatica.
Neurogenic claudication
Neurogenic claudication, also known as pseudo-claudication, is a common symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis. The compression of the spinal nerves causes nerve pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, heaviness, or cramping in one or both legs. A characteristic sign of neurogenic claudication is that it might get better or worse, depending on your posture. You might experience relief when leaning forward or sitting down.
Spinal stenosis causes
Spinal stenosis might occur naturally due to old age, but in most cases, it goes unnoticed without any symptoms. However, some underlying causes might lead to more severe spinal stenosis, where the symptoms are apparent and can have a severe impact on your everyday life.
- Injuries - Accidents, blunt force trauma, sprains, or other issues might damage the bones, muscles, ligaments, or tissues around the spine, leading to spinal stenosis.
- Bone growths - Osteoarthritis, Paget's disease, or other conditions can lead to unnatural bone spurs in the spinal area. These bone growths might constrict the spinal canal or nerve root canals and lead to spinal stenosis.
- Inflammation or infections - Overuse, inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune diseases, or infections might cause inflammation in the surrounding tissues, potentially leading to swollen muscles or thickened ligaments pressing on the spinal cord or the nerves.
- Disk problems - The spinal disks are soft, shock-absorbing cushions in the spine. These disks might get misaligned, herniated, or damaged in other ways, pushing into the spinal canal, causing nerve irritation.
- Tumors or other growths - In rare cases, tumors or other tissue growths might occur near the spine, potentially constricting the available space and leading to nerve problems.
- Poor posture - Severe cases of poor posture or keeping the spine in unnatural positions for long periods of time might also lead to spinal stenosis.
The risk factors for spinal stenosis include old age, repeated stress or injury to the spine area, and poor posture.
Diagnosing spinal stenosis
When diagnosing spinal stenosis, your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history.
Spinal stenosis is fairly easy to diagnose using X-rays and MRI or CT scans. These imaging tests often reveal the source of the issue, showing herniated disks, bone spurs, tumors, and muscle or ligament damage.
Spinal stenosis treatments
The recommended treatment methods for spinal stenosis largely depend on the underlying issue. Doctors will focus on solving the causes while providing relief for the symptoms.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help alleviate spinal stenosis symptoms or even fix the problem entirely. Building muscle strength can help stabilize the spine, gentle stretches can help realign the bones, and massage or other forms of movement might help with swollen muscles.
Certain forms of exercise might improve flexibility and balance as well.
Pain management
Pain management is a vital part of most treatment plans. It can make the healing process more comfortable or provide relief for chronic cases of spinal stenosis.
- Analgesics - These simple painkillers might provide relief for minor pains
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs can alleviate pains while at the same time reducing inflammation in the body
- Steroid injections - Steroids are potent medicines that can help with inflammation, swollen tissues, and severe pain
- Opioids - Opioids provide very strong pain relief, but because of their addictive nature, they are usually only considered a last resort option
- Alternative pain relief options - Herbal medicines, natural agents, and drug-free pain management options can help relieve pain with minimal side effects or provide a supplementary pain management option alongside traditional methods
Surgery
Doctors might recommend surgery in some cases, which might correct issues like herniated disks or bone deformities. The goal is to expand the available space in the spinal or nerve root canals.
Chronic Back Pain: Definitions, Diagnosis & Risk Factors
The term “chronic back pain” is typically used to describe symptoms that appear gradually and persist beyond three to six months. Pain is also considered chronic when it continues beyond the point of tissue healing. For this reason, chronic back pain is usually correlated less with recognizable tissue damage and structural problems than acute pain.
Chronic back pain can develop anywhere between the top of the neck to the lower (lumbar) spine. Pain may exist only in a specific area, or it may generate from a central point and spread into other parts of the back and body.
Individuals experiencing back pain often avoid physical activity or compensate by moving their bodies in different ways. This can aggravate pain and symptoms, which has longer-term implications when pain is chronic.
Chronic back pain is typically age-related and is common in both men and women. While individuals may think a particular incident or injury is responsible for their symptoms, there are usually several contributing factors. This type of pain is, however, harder to diagnose than acute pain and an identified cause can’t always be found.
Identifying Chronic Back Pain
Longer lasting back pain can typically fall into two major categories:
Chronic pain with an identifiable cause:
This includes traumatic injury such as strains, sprains, disc herniation and fractures, as well as structural spine conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. Chronic lower back pain causes may also be the result of other medical ailments, including osteoporosis and fibromyalgia, rarer incidences of infections or tumors, as well as women-specific conditions such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts. These issues may cause ongoing pain until properly treated. While this is often classed as chronic back pain, it is also referred to as long-term acute pain.
Chronic pain without an identifiable cause:
If pain continues after damaged tissue has healed, or there is no identifiable reason for the pain, it can be classified as chronic benign pain. Sometimes, the nervous system may continue to send pain signals to the brain even when any damage to tissues has been healed and there are no remaining chronic lower back pain causes. These signal misfires may create an ongoing experience of chronic back pain despite there being no existing injury or problem in the body. Super Patch’s range of pain management patches address pain symptoms from this perspective.
Risk Factors
An ongoing lack of physical activity can lead to one of the biggest contributors towards chronic back pain: muscle deconditioning. Also known as muscle atrophy, this is where back muscles lose the strength and stability needed to support you, causing them to shrink and resulting in wear and tear over time. Some atrophy happens naturally as we age, but a general lack of physical activity, or reducing activity for too long after an injury can aggravate pain symptoms.
People who work at jobs that are sedentary, require heavy or repetitive lifting, or subject them to vibration from machinery or vehicles are more susceptible to developing chronic lower back pain. Driving a vehicle for a long time can also increase risk.
Improper posture and body mechanics during everyday life are common chronic lower back pain causes, as they can stress your spine and contribute to pain symptoms over time. Not correctly lifting heavy items, lack of ergonomic support if you sit at a desk for extended periods of time, and forgetting to stretch regularly during long patches of inactivity may put you at risk of chronic back pain.
Conclusion
Since it can be difficult to identify the source of chronic back pain, it is important to move cautiously with a treatment plan. If your doctor has exhausted diagnostic options, it may be time to visit a back pain specialist. If the source of pain remains unknown or the pain cannot be treated, a medical professional may help you to reduce flare-ups and manage the pain with nonsurgical relief options.
5 Common Back Pain Causes
As one of the most widespread complaints in the adult population, back pain is an extremely common reason for individuals to seek medical help or miss work. Back pain is also a primary cause of disability worldwide.
While many different factors could cause back pain, they are usually not indicators of serious health problems. Back pain can therefore typically be treated and healed fairly easily – particularly in individuals younger than 60 – and very rarely requires surgery.
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5 General Categories of Back Pain
There are a multitude of factors that may contribute to back pain, many of which may be present at the same time and result in chronic pain.
Mechanical
Most back pain (and all muscular back pain) causes are a result of mechanical issues, with injury to the spine, intervertebral discs or soft tissues being the most common. This can include fractures, sprains and strains to supporting muscles, disc herniation (where discs compress and irritate neighboring nerves), lumbago (acute lower back pain or strain) or pregnancy. Poor posture could also result in mechanical or muscular back pain.
Degenerative
Aging can cause the discs between the spinal vertebrae to break down. This is most frequently caused by osteoarthritis of the spine, or spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves) and can lead to joint arthritis, disc degeneration and compressive fractures. A lack of bone density from osteoporosis can also result in similar outcomes.
Inflammatory
While significantly lower in occurrence than mechanical and degenerative back pain, inflammation of the spinal joints can also occur, primarily in the joints that connect the spine to the pelvis.
Infectious
Spinal infections are another infrequent form of back pain that can be caused by infection – usually fungal or bacterial – in another part of the body that travels to the spine via the bloodstream.
Oncologic
Back pain is rarely a sign of cancer. When it is, it will likely appear alongside other symptoms of cancer. This type of back pain often presents as a fracture and may be associated with spinal tumors, breast or lung cancer, as well as gastrointestinal or blood cancers.
Other medical conditions leading to back pain could include fibromyalgia, which presents as widespread muscle pain and fatigue, kidney stones or infections, and endometriosis, which is the buildup of uterine tissue in areas outside the uterus.
ALSO SEE: Looking for Back Pain Relief? 9 Strategies That Could Help
Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain can range from a local pain in one area to generalized pain that spreads throughout the back and even into other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, buttocks or legs.
The sensation of pain can range from aching muscular back pain to shooting, stabbing or burning pain, where twisting, bending, walking or even resting may exacerbate it. Symptoms could include stiffness in the morning, numbness or weakness in the legs and feet, or pain that lessens with activity.
Types of Back Pain
Medical professionals categorize back pain in the following ways:
Acute back pain has a sudden onset and typically lasts a few days to a few weeks.
Subacute back pain may have a sudden or slow onset and can last four to 12 weeks.
Chronic back pain may also have a sudden or slow onset and usually lasts longer than 12 weeks, occurring daily.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most back pain causes can be addressed in a few weeks with home treatment and self-care, assistance may be needed for back pain that:
- Is severe and does not subside with rest
- Persists longer than a few weeks
- Travels down one or both legs, particularly past the knee
- Causes tingling or numbness in one or both legs
- Is combined with unexplained weight-loss
Back pain is rarely a sign of a more serious medical condition. However, seek immediate care for back pain that:
- Coincides with a fever
- Is the result of a blow to the back, fall or other injury
- Leads to new bladder or bowel issues
- Results in numbness around your back passage or genitals
- Causes extreme weakness and loss of power in your legs
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The 3 Most Common Causes of Back Pain on One Side
Back pain is a common complaint amongst adults. For individuals in their 20s and 30s, back pain can often be attributed to general daily life issues, such as sitting at a desk too long or overdoing it while exercising. For those in their 40s and older, the start of degenerative diseases and age-related injuries are typically more to blame.
Back pain may also be isolated to one side of the body. If the cause of back pain can be pinned down to a specific activity, it is usually nothing to worry about. If, however, pain appears gradually, appears suddenly with no explanation or persists, you may have a more serious condition that needs medical attention.
Below are potential causes of back pain on one side:
Tissue Injuries
Back pain on one side is most commonly the result of injury to the spinal structure, occurring in the muscles, ligaments, joint or discs. Back muscles run up and down the left and right side of the spine, without crossing the midline. It would therefore make sense that muscle back pain is only on one side of the body.
Muscle strains are the most frequent cause of lower back pain on one side of the body. This includes lower right back pain and lower left back pain. Pain experienced in the upper back, including upper left and upper right back, is usually the result of joint dysfunction or muscular irritation. The large upper back muscles attached to the shoulder blades and back of the rib cage are especially at risk of tightness and strain. Individuals who have pain from joint dysfunction are likely to have either had a sudden injury, or be experiencing natural degeneration from aging. Muscular irritation is more commonly due to overuse of the back muscles, a lack of strength or poor posture.
Degenerative Conditions
Age-related degenerative diseases may cause back pain, including back pain on one side of the body. These include wear and tear of the joints from arthritis, bone spurs – where worn-away cartilage triggers the incorrect compensational growth of new bone – or a narrowing of the spinal column known as spinal stenosis. Symptoms may include lower left or lower right back pain, as well as upper left or upper right back pain. Pain may also cause weakness or radiate down the leg.
Internal Organ Issues
While it may not be the first thought when looking for the source of injury, back pain on one side of the body may be the result of issues with various internal organs. In these instances, back pain may be felt a little deeper in the body, and will typically present with other symptoms.
The kidneys are positioned towards the lower back and therefore may cause lower right or lower left back pain if infected. Pain from kidney stones infection typically radiates down from the flank towards the groin, and exists alongside other symptoms, such as painful urination or nausea. Issues with the gallbladder or biliary tree may cause pain in the middle back, with some individuals reporting back pain on one side, particularly the right.
Appendicitis may occur when a blockage or infection disturbs the appendix, resulting in inflammation. This often presents as an intense pain in the right side of the abdomen that can travel to create lower right back pain.
Back pain may also be the result of ulcerative colitis: chronic inflammation of the large intestine that is likely to also generate digestive issues, abdominal cramping and fatigue.
In women, pelvic pain caused by endometriosis, fibroids or both cancerous and benign ovarian tumors can radiate, causing lower right or lower left back pain. This pain will present with other issues, such as pelvic pain, abnormal menstruation and frequent urination. Lower back pain to one side, along with accompanying symptoms, may also be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection typically occurring when sexually transmitted diseases spread to the ovaries, uterus or fallopian tubes. If you’re experiencing back pain on one side of the body that does not improve with rest or medication, it’s better to treat it with caution. Consult with a doctor if pain is affecting your day-to-day life.
8 Major Causes of Back Pain in Women
Back pain in women and men is one of the most frequent complaints amongst adults, with the majority of cases involving mechanical issues, such as injury to the spine, intervertebral discs or soft tissues. While many common back pain causes occur independent of gender, there are a number that occur more frequently in women, usually due to hormonal changes after menopause or pregnancy. Back pain in women is also more likely to become chronic over time.
Here are some causes of back pain in females specifically:
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The bottom of the spine is connected to the pelvis by the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Issues with pain, inflammation or dysfunction in this area are called SI joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis. While this is a common form of back pain in women and men, it is one of the more frequent causes of back pain in females. This is because their SI joint typically has a smaller surface area than men’s and is therefore susceptible to a higher concentration of stress. Plus, their sacrum is wider, less even and curved, and tilted further backward. Dysfunction is typically experienced as a dull pain in the lower back, which can intensify when sitting or climbing stairs. It may also flare up to present as a sharp pain down the thigh. For this reason, this type of back pain in women is often mistaken for sciatica.
Spinal Osteoarthritis
Known as “wear and tear arthritis”, spinal osteoarthritis occurs when fibrous cartilage in the vertebrae connectors (facet joints) breaks down. Without the shock absorbing cushion of cartilage, bones may rub together and cause pain in the upper and lower back, buttocks, groin and thighs. Pain and stiffness may occur in the morning, and there may be flare ups on the side of the body when bending. This is a more commonly occurring back pain in women, and risk increases with age and weight.
Spinal Osteoporosis Fracture
Osteoporosis occurs when the rate of bone loss is higher than that of new bone formation. Decreases in bone density make bones brittle and more susceptible to fractures. Women are significantly more at risk of developing osteoporosis due to dropping levels of estrogen – an essential hormone for healthy bones. While osteoporosis in itself may contribute to bone and therefore back pain in women, it is more commonly responsible for compression fractures in the spine. These can cause acute pain in a specific area that typically occurs between the mid and lower back, and may need emergency medical attention. This pain may also be referred to the front of the body and mistaken for lung or heart issues.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle is a large muscle located deep in the buttocks. Pain originating from spasms in this muscle is called piriformis syndrome. Women are affected more by this due to changes in the pelvic area brought on by pregnancy and hormones. Piriformis syndrome can cause irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which can lead to: pain that radiates down the back of the leg, pain in the hips and buttocks that increases with hip movement or when getting out of bed, and pain that is aggravated when sitting for long periods of time. These symptoms usually get better when you lie on your back.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
This condition occurs when degeneration causes one vertebra to slip over the vertebra below it. Due to decreased estrogen levels in the body after menopause, this condition is more prevalent in older females, and is generally a more common type of back pain in women than men. This hormonal change can cause spinal instability, through the increased degradation of spinal discs and loosening of ligaments that hold vertebrae together. Degenerative spondylolisthesis frequently results in female lower back pain that radiates to the legs, and pain while walking, due to compression of the spinal cord. Bending forward to take pressure off the spine can assist with pain relief.
Coccydynia
Also referred to as tailbone pain, coccydynia usually occurs as a result of chronic irritation or injury. As the coccyx provides weight-bearing support while sitting, pain is usually experienced when seated, particularly when leaning back or sitting on a hard surface, as well as when rising from a seated position. Pain usually decreases when leaning forward, or onto one buttock at a time, and may cease entirely upon standing. This is a more common form of back pain in women due to differences in the angle or shape of the pelvis, or as a result of injury during childbirth.
Endometriosis
Exclusive to women, endometriosis is a painful gynecological issue where tissue similar to that which lines the uterus interior grows outside the uterus. It presents as a painful menstrual cycle together with intense pain in the abdomen and, frequently, the lower back. This form of back pain in women may be chronic throughout the month.
Pregnancy
Back pain in women is common during pregnancy, due to weight gain and a shift in the body’s gravitational center. A change in hormones also softens ligaments surrounding the pelvis to prepare for birth, which may induce pain. Superficial abdominal muscles known as the recti abdominis may separate during later stages of pregnancy, worsening existing back pain. This form of female lower back pain is usually experienced where the pelvis meets your spine – at the sacroiliac joint – and generally below the waist. While most cases of back pain in women can be resolved at home over time with simple remedies or exercises (see our suggestions on back pain relief), some symptoms may require medical intervention. It is important to consult with a professional if you experience ongoing or acute back pain that doesn’t decrease over time.
Male vs Female Lower Back Pain: Causes and Treatments
While back issues and incidences of pain are more prevalent in women overall, back pain in men is still a common complaint.
There are a number of broad categories of back pain experienced by both men and women, but some conditions are more common in – or even exclusive to – a particular gender. Here is an outline of certain issues that may cause back pain in men and/or women.
Common Sources of Back Pain in Men and Women
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac (SI) joint connects the bottom of the spine to the pelvis. Pain, inflammation or dysfunction in this area is known as SI joint dysfunction or sacroiliitis. It is a common form of back pain in men and women, and is particularly prevalent in sports people or during pregnancy. Symptoms include a dull pain in the lower back, which may be aggravated when climbing stairs or sitting down.
Compressed Nerves
Nerve issues are a common cause of back pain in men and women. Compressed or pinched nerves can induce severe pain, even if the muscles and bones in the back are healthy. Sciatica is one of the most prevalent nerve-related disorders, where the sciatic nerve in the hip gets compressed. Symptoms include moderate to severe pain or numbness in the lower back, buttock or down the leg that is likely to worsen with movement.
Poor Posture
Both males and females are subject to back pain as a result of poor posture. This puts unnecessary strain on the spine and back muscle , which can result in discomfort and pain.
Appendicitis
Lower back pain in men and women may be one of the first symptoms of appendicitis, along with pain in the abdomen that travels to the lower right-hand side and becomes constant and severe.
Specific Sources of Back Pain in Men
Traumatic Back Pain
Due to their participation in high-impact sports and higher likelihood of working in manual jobs, men are especially prone to traumatic back pain. In addition to accidents and sports-related issues, simple day-to-day activities such as lifting heavy objects or twisting the spine improperly can trigger traumatic injury to the back.
Kidney Stones
While relatively common in both sexes, kidney stones are more frequently a source of lower back pain in men. These are the result of toxin build-up that can’t be diluted in the urine. Hard masses form and become painful when attempting to pass through the urinary tract, often resulting in a sharp pain in the lower back and side of the body. Back pain caused by infection won’t improve when the body is repositioned, unlike muscular sources of pain.
Hypertension
Hypertension is another male-dominant condition that can cause back pain in men. This occurs when the walls of the artery become weak. The artery may balloon in size, causing severe pain in the back and abdomen.
Prostate Problems
Lower back pain in men may also be caused by prostate issues. This could present as recurrent pain or stiffness in the lower back that appears alongside other symptoms, such as frequent and painful urination, bloody semen or urine and persistent pain or stiffness in the hips, pelvis rectal area or upper thighs.
Common Sources of Back Pain in Women
While a number of conditions result in back pain in men and women, some issues are either more prevalent or exclusive to females. This is often as a result of pregnancy or changing hormones from menopause. Women, for example, are six times more likely to be diagnosed with piriformis syndrome, where pain originates from spasms in the piriformis muscle – a large muscle located deep in the buttocks. Symptoms of spinal osteoarthritis are also likely to be more severe in females, and a number of issues resulting in back pain are exclusive to women, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts. You can learn more about the common forms of back in women in this article.
Given that back pain can lead to diminished mobility and a decreased quality of life, it is important to address back pain in men and women with prompt medical attention.
9 Strategies for Lower Back Pain Relief
Back pain, including lower back pain, can have a wide variety of causes in adults, from strains and sprains while working in the house or garden to old sports injuries or chronic conditions. For the majority of people, symptoms usually improve within several days, with lower back pain treatments including rest, over the counter medications and at-home strategies – often in combination.
Sudden or severe back pain should be checked by a healthcare provider, as should pain that persists and becomes chronic. However, you may find lower back pain relief with these simple strategies.
Home Remedies
Healthcare providers may first recommend that you try at-home lower back pain treatments:
Heat or Ice
Ice is regularly used for recent or acute injuries, helping to minimize pain and inflammation. Try applying ice to your lower back three times a day. Heat is recommended for treating older injuries or chronic pain, helping to relax muscles and increase circulation. Moist heat in particular, such as baths, showers and heat packs are thought to work well.
Medication
There are two primary forms of over-the-counter medication used to provide lower back pain relief: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. Both may be effective at relieving back pain in minor instances, although NSAIDs will specifically target the inflammation that causes swelling. Other forms of medication may also be recommended, such as prescription pain relievers, muscle relaxants, narcotics/opioids or even antidepressants.
Medicated Creams
Skin creams, salves or patches may assist with lower back pain relief when your muscles are tense or sore. They typically include ingredients that cool, heat or numb the affected area, such as camphor, menthol or lidocaine. Super Patch’s Freedom Patch works differently, interacting with the nervous system to influence pain signals sent to the brain. You can learn more about how these patches work.
Treatments
If home remedies aren’t effectively providing lower back pain relief, you may try a number of medical lower back pain treatments:
Physical Therapy
Working with a physical therapist is advised if you have been unsuccessful at relieving back pain in over 4-6 weeks. Here are a number of techniques they may utilize to address your symptoms.
Massage
Studies have found that both relaxation as well as structural massages, which involve soft-tissue techniques for muscles and bones, may provide lower back pain relief within a number of weeks. This type of therapy requires multiple treatments.
Complementary Therapy
There are several types of complementary therapies that may help provide lower back pain relief. These may include acupuncture, where hair-thin sterilized needles are inserted into precise points in the body to release blocked energy, and movement therapies such as yoga and tai chi, to help stretch and strengthen back muscles. Complementary therapies are thought to work best when used in conjunction with other lower back pain relief strategies.
General Healthy Habits to Reduce Risk of Lower Back Pain
Staying Active & Stretching
While you may be tentative to keep moving after an injury, staying active is highly recommended for both supplying lower back pain relief and from stopping existing pain from getting worse. Low-impact exercise promotes healing and increases blood flow, while a lack of movement can cause the muscles around your spine to weaken or stiffen.
Practice gentle stretching too. Tight hamstrings are particularly notorious for contributing to lower back pain; try to carefully stretch your hamstrings at least twice a day, holding for 15-30 seconds at a time.
Stick to your normal activity levels where possible, aiming to get moving at least three times a week. This also helps you to maintain a healthy weight, which reduces the risk of back pain by lightening the load on your lower back. Stop activity that increases pain, but don’t avoid moving due to fear of pain.
Explore Supplements
If we don’t manage to get enough of the nutrients we need from our daily diet, supplements can help. Many individuals don’t meet their daily vitamin D requirements, which are important for bone health, particularly in women. A lack of magnesium can also lead to muscle cramps and weakness. Carefully adding important nutrients into your diet through supplementation can strengthen and protect your joints, bones and muscles. This in turn can assist with preventing and relieving lower back pain.
Maintain Good Posture
Practicing correct posture helps ease the pressure placed on the lower back. A few simple adjustments can help improve posture:
- Engage your abdominal muscles
- Try keep your head stacked over the pelvis, avoiding straining the neck forward
- Roll your shoulders down the back and away from your ears
- When sitting, keep your feet on the ground and avoid crossing your legs
- When standing, keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your weight distributed evenly across both your feet
While the following are less likely, more serious strategies for lower back pain relief include cortisone injections to help decrease inflammation and temporary relieve pain, radiofrequency ablation, which interferes with pain signals sent to the brain, implanted nerve stimulators and surgery.
Understanding Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit healthcare providers. It can be caused by many different conditions, injuries or diseases, even underlying chronic conditions, but most often it is the result of injury to muscles or tendons in the back.
About the Lower Back
The spine is made up of 24 separate bones called vertebrae, which are stacked one on top of the other. The lumbar spine, located in the lower back, consists of a number of these vertebrae. It plays a crucial role in supporting the weight of the upper body. Everyday movements such as twisting, bending and managing the muscles in the pelvis, hips, legs and feet are also governed by the lumbar spine. The nerves, disks, cartilage between the disks, ligaments, muscles and bones in the lumbar spine are therefore susceptible to wear, tear and injury over time, sometimes resulting in lower back pain. At the bottom of the spine, below the vertebrae, are the sacrum and coccyx bones.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms
Lower back pain is sometimes referred to as lumbosacral pain or lumbago.
Symptoms of lower back pain may appear both suddenly or gradually. Pain may occur after a specific event, such as bending or twisting the spine, perhaps with an audible “pop” at the time of incidence, or the cause of pain may be unknown. Lower back pain may be sharp, presenting as muscle spasms or stiffness, or it may be felt as a dull ache, perhaps in the hips and/or pelvis. The pain may worsen with sitting, rapidly improve while walking, or be noticeably worse in the morning. Pain may also affect posture, making it hard to stand up straight. Pain may also radiate down the buttocks and back of the legs, which may indicate a condition known as sciatica.
Potential Causes of Lower Back Pain
Many different injuries, conditions or diseases may be the causes of lower back pain. These include:
Mechanical or functional injuries: Strains and sprains to muscles, tendons and ligaments are the most common causes of lower back pain, resulting in roughly 97% of all incidences.
Fractures: Breaks to the spine may occur in traumatic injury, or as the result of certain conditions such as spondylolysis or osteoporosis which increase the risk of fractures.
Disk issues: Complex disks made largely of cartilage and a gelatinous core are cushioned between the spinal vertebrae. Disks may bulge from their positions and press on nerves, flatten over time and offer less protection (degenerative disk disease), or tear (known as a herniated disk), resulting in lower back pain.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or “wear and tear” arthritis is a common cause of inflammation, stiffness and pain in the lower back.
More information on structural problems such as spinal stenosis, diseases that cause direct or referred pain such as kidney stones, and a condition called spondylolisthesis involving slipped vertebrae can be found in the following articles outlining back pain specific to men and women.
Non-Specific Lower Back Pain
It is not always possible to identify causes of lower back pain, and lumbago often remains undiagnosed as a result. Strains and sprains are usually responsible, but a number of symptoms may contribute and result in ongoing chronic back pain.
While it may be difficult to pinpoint the source of pain when looking for relief, certain risk factors may help with causation. Both manual jobs that include lifting and pulling movements, or twisting of the spine, and sedentary jobs that render workers desk bound, put individuals at risk of lower back pain. Smoking, being obese or inactive, having a demanding job or being overtly stressed, standing for a long time or suffering with depression may also contribute to lower back pain.
When to Seek Help
Lower back pain is regularly resolved on its own over time, but in some instances you may need to seek help for your lumbago. If pain lasts four weeks or longer, gets worse over time or is present alongside other symptoms such as fever, considerable weight gain or loss, bladder issues or loss of function in extremities, medical attention should be sought out.
Looking for Back Pain Relief? 9 Strategies That Could Help
Our back muscles and spine support most of the body’s weight, playing a part in everyday movements such as sitting, standing and walking. It is no surprise, then, that back pain is one of our most common complaints, particularly as we age, with back pain relief frequently being sought out. If you want to know more about your symptoms, here are a few common causes of back pain as well as advice on when to seek medical attention.
Improve Your Posture To Reduce Back Pain
Bad posture can aggravate back pain, especially if you are prone to sitting for long stretches of time. Stand with your chest lifted, tailbone tucked in and shoulders back. Try achieve the same when sitting, with your body supported against the back of your chair and feet flat on the floor. You could also secure a cushion or rolled towel between your lower back and chair for more support.
Use Ice and Heat
Both ice and heat are generally commended as ways to alleviate pain. Regular applications of ice may reduce pain and inflammation from recent or acute injuries, while heat is recommended to increase circulation and relax muscles in instances of older, chronic pain.
Don’t Over-Rest
If you are wondering how to relieve your back pain, don’t head straight for the bed. It may seem counter-intuitive, but bed rest may only aggravate your symptoms. In fact, lying still is considered to be one of the worst responses to back pain, with only one or two days of rest being recommended. Thereafter, it is advised that you begin moving slowly again. Exercise is considered to be one of the most effective ways to provide general and lower back pain relief, so trying walking, swimming or yoga if possible.
Prioritize Quality Sleep
Poor sleep and back pain go hand-in-hand. A sore back can keep you up at night, while poor sleep conditions can worsen your symptoms. Lying on your side with a pillow placed between the knees to neutralize your spine can help supply back pain relief, while securing a pillow behind the knees is ideal for sleeping on your back.
Get OTC or Prescription Medication
In addition to ibuprofen and paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs and acetaminophen may provide some back pain relief and are both available over the counter. If you are experiencing more than mild symptoms, NSAIDs, as well as muscle relaxants, are also offered in prescription strengths. For back pain relief from more severe conditions, medication can be administered through a spinal injection. However, studies show that medication alone is not enough to offer back pain relief, so you will likely need additional treatment to ease your symptoms.
Physical and Massage Therapy
In addition to identifying the source of your pain, physical therapists can address symptoms both by implementing treatment and prescribing back pain exercises for you to practice on your own.
Treatment could incorporate spinal manipulation, electrical stimulation, acupuncture as well as massage. More recently, therapists have been including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in their treatment plans, where incoming pain signals are blocked by delivering mild electric pulses to the nerves.
Back pain exercises could include specialized moves to strengthen core muscles that support the back, as well as general guidance for sitting, standing and moving in a way that protects the spine. Increasing your strength, endurance and flexibility is a great long-term strategy for providing back pain relief, although it takes time to produce results. Regularly administered sports, Swedish or destress massages may also improve pain and function if you receive them regularly.
Talk it Out
You may wonder why you would see a psychologist if you are exploring how to relieve back pain. But research has found cognitive behavioral therapy in particular to be very effective in providing back pain relief. Identifying and changing thought and behavioral patterns surrounding pain or disability may help you alleviate your symptoms.
Try Biofeedback
Another side-effect-free method of general or lower back pain relief is biofeedback. This process entails a practitioner using specialized equipment to measure functions in your body. Based on the feedback provided, your practitioner can suggest physiologic changes you can make to help provide back pain relief. These may be slight adjustments in your body, such as breathing differently or relaxing certain muscles. Practiced over time, these behaviors can be an effective method for reducing pain without equipment or medication.
Use a Freedom Patch
Pain is perceived in the brain, where it registers signals sent from around the body. Altering these signals can influence our perception of pain. This is how the Freedom Patch from Super Patch works to provide back pain relief. Each patch interacts with the nervous system through a unique formation of ridges that resemble a QR code. This interaction can influence messages sent to the brain and help reduce sensations of pain. The good news is that simple measures are usually effective at relieving most episodes of back pain, especially if you are under 60. Surgery is rarely needed. Home-care plus using the body correctly may be all that is needed to provide effective back pain relief within a few weeks.