Back Pain
By: Dr. Joby Kolsun, Regional Medical Director, AvMed
Chronic back pain is that which lasts consistently for longer than 3 months. It is a common occurrence, quite frustrating for those who experience it, and a high cost for lost days at work.
Common causes of chronic back pain are:
- Arthritis – inflammation and break down of the spine joints
- Spinal Stenosis – narrowing of the spinal cord and thus pressing on nerves
- Myofascial pain – unexplained pain likely due to muscle, tendon, or fascia problems
- Pain from a herniated disc is more acute in nature but can come and go at times
So, what can you do about chronic back pain short of surgery? Surgery is not always the best option and may make the pain worse. It is best to try and exhaust non-surgical treatments first, such as:
- Exercises – work with a therapist to retrain your posture, improve surrounding muscle strength, increase flexibility, and improve your overall fitness level.
- Mindfulness Meditation can help you better deal with the day-to-day emotional strain of back pain.
- Dietary changes – there are many foods that can cause or worsen inflammation so trying to eliminate these from your diet can sometimes make a big difference. This will be found out on an individual basis that you try on your own and see how you feel.
- Lifestyle changes – If you are overweight losing weight can help improve back pain. Also, proper body mechanics can help reduce inflammation and soreness. As an example, bending over at the waist puts a lot of stress on your lower back. You are better off bending at the knees to get to lower objects.
- Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and nerve ablations can also provide some relief.
For chronic back pain, medications are not a solution but rather a band aid on the problem and often come with unwanted side effects and are generally not recommended for long term use.
Most importantly work with your doctor(s) to create a plan that works for you.
