Types Of Back Pain – Understanding Them Better To Prevent Them
Back pain is often felt at the back, affecting the buttocks, legs and feet. Back pain is further broken down into lower back pain (cephaly), upper back pain (tendonitis), mid back pain or coccydynia depending on the section affected. Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute refers to a sudden onset of pain, while chronic means the problem has been there for some time. Most back pain takes place in the lumbar region, which is a condition where the vertebrae are compressed in some way.
There are four main categories of back pain that can be classified as either acute or chronic. The acute category is characterized by a sharp, singular pain that usually comes on quickly and leaves within a short time, especially if the problem is a problem with the spinal cord. This kind of pain is typically the result of trauma or other problem in the spine.
Chronic back pain can take longer to go away and can have a sharp, localized pain, sometimes spreading to the buttocks and thighs. Chronic back pain can also involve the neck, shoulder and other areas of the back, although this is less common. Imaging techniques, which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic x-ray (EEG), computed tomography (CT) scan or ultrasound, can be used to identify the problem areas. These imaging techniques are not always accurate, but they can be used to create a map of the spine that will be the basis for diagnosing the problem. Certain spinal disorders such as scoliosis, cocci sclerosis and herniated discs can be easily detected through imaging studies.
The most common causes of acute back pain include strains, ligament injuries, disc problems, subluxations (subluxation), soft tissue problems and arthritis. Other causes include trauma (accident, fall), herniated discs, osteoarthritis and pregnancy. In addition, a person can suffer acute back pain due to conditions such as congenital defects, infection, muscle straining or an injury. Other causes of acute back pain include prolonged sitting and abnormal loads on the spine.
The term sub-acute refers to those whose symptoms last longer than two weeks. This type of back pain typically presents with minimal discomfort and has a tendency to worsen over a period of time. There are times when the cause can’t be identified. However, it’s helpful to know what causes these conditions so that you can avoid them and take appropriate measures to eliminate back pain. In such cases, the best option is to consult your doctor.
There are certain imaging techniques that are applied for the treatment of acute back pain, irrespective of the nature of the problem. MRI, CT scan and PET scan are common diagnostic tools used in order to identify the root cause of the problem. One such diagnostic tool is x-ray. The x-ray helps you differentiate between internal organs and skeletal structures. Moreover, the imaging allows the doctor to locate the exact site of pain and pinpoint the location of the malfunctioning organs or structures.
Depending upon the nature of the disorder, back pain can be either degenerative or non-demented. Degenerative back pain occurs as a result of spinal bones losing their elasticity and getting older. This leads to a loss of mobility of the spine, which causes back pain. Whereas, non-demented type of back pain occurs because of joint issues and other underlying structural abnormalities.
In case of degenerative type of back pain, treatment may include physical therapy coupled with medications to improve flexibility, strength and resiliency of the affected body part. On the other hand, non-demented back pain is typically referred to as sub-acute. It is typically caused by an injury or condition that manifests itself over a short period of time.
