What is Chronic Back Pain?
A "pain in the back" can be much more painful when it is chronic. Chronic back pain affects millions of people in the US, and that appears to be a consistent number from year to year. When there is no biological reason for pain to continue, it can be described as chronic. An example of this would be your hand on a hot iron. When you feel the pain of the heat, it is because your brain is telling you that if you leave your hand there, it will burn. Chronic pain is when there seems to be no reason for the pain, in that doing something about it, as in moving the hand, will prevent further injury to the body. Chronic pain is identified as pain lasting for more than three to six months after different therapies and drugs have been used to address the pain with no long term relief. When you know your back and how it works, addressing your physician with your symptoms and being aware of the source can be beneficial to relief from chronic back pain.
Understanding the Back
The human back is a complex organism made up of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, and laced with arteries, veins, and capillaries from the heart and nerves coming from the spinal cord. The back is responsible for supporting us in all sorts of movements, from playing sports to dancing, and from picking up things off of the floor to being able to sit down. Our back twists, turns, bends and curves, and because of this huge jigsaw puzzle, there is potential for injury and harm at every point. With all of these seemingly complicated movements, one would think that doing them would cause more risk than not doing them. Not so. When a back is not "put through the movements" and exercised and stretched on a regular basis, it has more potential to become injured when it is making those moves. Often, people become injured when they are doing what could be interpreted as a harmless motion, such as over reaching a bit, bending over to pick something up, or even a sneeze. When the body is put into a movement that is not natural, or hasn't been done repetitively, it may react; much like one has sore muscles after performing a new type of exercise. So you see, while it is very complex, the back needs to be in shape, stretched and exercised regularly to overcome sudden movements that could cause injury.
Areas and Types of Chronic Back Pain
Pain is the body's reaction to something that needs the attention of your brain, to stay off of your feet or not sit, stand or lie in a particular position. It can be aching, throbbing, sharp or dull. The pain can be felt in the cervical, or neck region, the thoracic - mid-back region or in the lower back, or lumbar area. Because the weight of the top part of the body rests on the lumbar region and it is the area used for sitting and the majority of bending, this is where most chronic back pain lies.
Causes of Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain can be caused by a number of factors, affects patients differently, and how it affects them may depend upon their age. An injury or a slipped disc can happen to an older or a younger person, while a degeneration of the spinal bones caused by osteoarthritis or osteoporosis will most typically not affect a person until they are over 60.
A back disc, the cushion that lies between the vertebrae can move and shift and even burst, affecting the connecting nerves. This is a common occurrence called a slipped disc or a herniated disc. While in some patients it will not cause pain, often it can be a severe hindrance. Sometimes, an injury caused many years ago, such as a fracture to the vertebra can cause slippage in the bones and cause chronic back pain.
Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of the cartilage and bone of the joints, and this deterioration of the spine can produce pain because the nerves of the joints are compressed.
How to Address Chronic Back Pain
Resources galore exist for sufferers of chronic back pain. National organizations such as the American Chronic Pain Association host a website and offer support groups and literature, local hospitals and physician offices offer some of the same services. Consult your physician for exercises to stretch and move the afflicted area, and follow them regularly. A chart to document your progress in terms of time spent and reduction of pain may be helpful as well. Other exercise and stretching exist in the form of Yoga and Pilates, which strengthens your core and lumbar region. Many medications are available that will provide relief, and your physician will be able to recommend one that is best for you. Side effects and dependency are concerns with a pain medication prescription and should only be taken for the time prescribed.
Potential Relief for Chronic Back Pain
Addressing chronic back pain is a personal issue, but if you want to pursue relief, it can be found. In addition to medication, physical therapy, exercise and even surgery are utilized. Spinal decompression is a method that can relieve pressure from the back. Relaxation, stretching, focus on abilities and not on pain, and basically, not dwelling on the pain are factors that must be considered with chronic back pain.
Pain Relieving - What is Chronic Back Pain?
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