Back pain eventually catches up with many of us. Around the world, 619 million people suffer from it. Researchers predict that by 2050, this number will rise to 843 million.
This ordeal is often accompanied by sleep disturbances, mental health issues, and an inability to perform daily activities, such as playing with children or going to work. Experts assert that back pain has become the leading cause of disability worldwide. The journal The Lancet Rheumatology has even labeled it a “global epidemic.”
What Can Back Pain “Tell” Us?
Many people believe that chronic back pain is primarily linked to physical injuries. This is a common misconception. In fact, this pain often does not indicate that there is something wrong with the spine or back. The vast majority of back pain cases are “nonspecific,” meaning tests reveal no signs of structural damage or disease.
At some point in life, most of us will experience back pain, which typically only worsens with age.
Acute back pain usually resolves within a few weeks. In contrast, chronic pain lingers for over three months. According to various studies, 4-25 percent of individuals with acute pain develop chronic pain, making it much harder to manage.
Should You Rush to the Doctor?
“In most cases, back pain is not a serious cause for concern,” reassured Ruth Newsome, a spinal physiotherapy specialist at Sheffield Clinical Hospital. She advised waiting 4-6 weeks before seeing a doctor. During this time, pain can often be managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications found in most home medicine cabinets. Additionally, it’s important to stay active.
Worrisome symptoms to watch for include numbness or tingling in the lower body, difficulty urinating, chest pain, unexpected weight loss, and fever. If any of these symptoms occur, they may indicate a more serious issue, and immediate medical attention is necessary.
Is an MRI Scan Necessary?
An MRI scan is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool. It can detect issues such as disc bulges, wear and tear, and ligament tears. Often, these findings are misinterpreted by patients as abnormalities. However, they are more likely incidental findings rather than pathological problems. According to a large study published in the European Journal of Pain, these results do not predict current or future chronic pain. Yet, if not properly explained, they can trigger a harmful chain of events.
A study conducted in the U.S. involving around 400,000 primary care patients found that those who underwent MRI scans for back pain were more likely to later take opioids and undergo back surgery. Moreover, this same group reported experiencing more intense pain within a year.
How to Care for an Aching Back?
Many specialists share one crucial piece of advice: keep moving! Movement helps prevent back pain and can also alleviate it. However, there is no evidence that any specific exercise is better than others.
“The best exercise is the one you choose for yourself,” says back pain expert Professor Kieran O’Sullivan from the University of Limerick. He believes that individuals should find something enjoyable, accessible, and affordable. This way, they are more likely to stick to a routine. Even simple walking can be beneficial, according to BBC Science Focus.
Additionally, it’s important to gradually increase your activity level.
Can You Change Your Perception of Pain?
Many different factors influence pain, including psychological ones such as fear, anxiety, and misconceptions about pain. Lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and inactivity can also exacerbate it.
Modern medicine offers cognitive-functional therapy (CFT) in such cases. This method focuses on psychological and physical factors, as well as lifestyle. CFT helps identify the unique combination of factors affecting pain and understand that it does not always indicate physical injury.