Causes of Severe Back Pain

Back pain is a sign of stress or damage to the muscles, ligaments, discs or tendons. Sometimes it might also spread to the buttocks and thighs. Back pain can be divided into two categories: acute or chronic. The acute back pain lasts for less than 3 months but becomes severe if left untreated. Chronic back pain develops gradually, lasts for more than 3 months and causes long-term problems. This back pain can be in the lower, middle or upper portion of the back, but most of the time it focuses on the lower part of the back in the lumbar spinal region.

Causes of Severe Back Pain

Some of the common causes that lead to severe back pain are as follows.

Lumbar muscle strain is the most common cause of back pain. Patients may not remember the event that triggered these muscle cramps, but most of the time, such backaches are resolved within a few weeks.

Ruptured disc or herniated disc, is another major cause of back pain. This usually occurs when the cushion that lies between the spinal vertebrae is pushed outside its normal position. It may occur due to the repetitive straining of the spine, or due to an accident or a sudden fall.

Discogenic back pain is caused by the damage, degeneration or wearing out, of the lumbar intervertebral disc. Diagnosis of discogenic back pain is done by using a discogram. Patients suffering from discogenic back pain do recover with time, and can also use some simple treatments.

Spinal stenosis is the most common cause of back pain in the aging section of the population. It is caused by the constriction of space surrounding the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This tightening of the spinal canal causes back pain. Spinal stenosis affects men and women equally, and is more often seen in people over the age of 50, especially who are suffering from arthritis.

Lumbar spine arthritis usually affects joints such as the knees and fingers that connect each spinal segment or vertebrae. It causes severe back pain, especially when the person moves or changes his position. It is commonly seen in older patients, but obese individuals, heavy laborers or those nursing previous injuries to the spine, are also at a higher risk of getting affected by lumbar spine arthritis.

Spondylolisthesis leads to severe back pain, when the adjacent vertebrae become unstable and shaky. The most common reason for spondylolisthesis is the degenerative mutations that lead to a loss of the normal stabilizing structures of the spinal column, hence causing severe lower back pain.

Osteoporosis is another cause for severe back pain. Osteoporosis is related to compression fractures of the vertebra which cause weak bones and further lead to fractures.

Treatment for Severe Back Pain

There is no specific treatment for severe back pain, hence patients can recover by simply following some basic health tips like avoiding strenuous work, prolonged bed rest or sleeping straight with a pillow between the knees. Patients may also benefit from fire and ice therapy or simple back exercises. If these basic steps doesn't relieve the pain, the next step is to seek medical evaluation. Ibuprofen such as motrin, advil or nuprin are some medications which provide short-term solutions for lower back pain. Acetaminophens such as tylenol, are also effective in alleviating pain.

Most of the time, back pain heals on its own, but in persistent cases, it becomes essential to seek medical advice and correctly diagnose and receive proper treatment, so that the patients can recuperate quickly, and lead a healthy life.