Do you suffer from chronic back pain? You’re not alone; as many as 4.0 million (16%) people in Australia live with back problems.
Unlike the temporary soreness after a hard workout, or even the few weeks of pain or discomfort after a mild strain, chronic back pain can take a toll on your quality of life in the long run.
Finding and addressing the root cause of your chronic back pain isn’t always an easy process, so we’ve put together this guide to hopefully point you in the right direction.
Chronic back pain is typically defined as back pain that lasts for 3 months or more.
Acute back pain, on the other hand, typically only lasts for several days to several weeks. The direct cause of acute back pain is generally easier to pinpoint (i.e., usually a minor injury).
Chronic back pain can have various causes and risk factors, including:
Overuse
Certain occupations or hobbies can make one more prone to developing back pain. This is especially likely when these occupations involve heavy lifting or repetitive physical tasks (e.g. construction, driving, or landscaping).
Those who stand for long hours are also prone to back pain.
Persons whose work involves carrying heavy objects repeatedly are prone to chronic back pain.
Improper posture
Improper posture—whether while standing, sitting, or even sleeping—can cause unnecessary strain on the back. For example, sitting hunched at a desk can cause tension in your upper back muscles.
Lack of exercise
Too little physical activity can also lead to chronic back pain. This is because being sedentary can cause abdominal and back muscles to weaken and atrophy, and subsequently provide less support to your spine.
Long hours sitting can also cause tightness and weakness in your hamstrings and glutes—muscle groups that are connected as part of a chain that includes your lower back muscles, and can strain it.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation in the joints that causes swelling, stiffness, and pain. Common types are osteoarthritis (the wearing away of the cartilage on the ends of the bones) and rheumatoid arthritis (a disease in which one’s immune system attacks the joints).
Disc injury or disease
The discs of the spine can become herniated either by acute injury or wear and tear over time from overuse or poor movement patterns. The disc can also wear down simply due to aging (i.e., degenerative disc disease).
When either of these happens, the proteins normally contained within the disc can slip out and cause inflammation to nerves in the area, causing pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.
Neurological conditions and systemic diseases
Less frequently, back pain can also be caused by neurological disorders, as well as other systemic diseases. Among these are:
If you have back pain that has been ongoing or recurring for months, it’s worth it to see a healthcare professional to help determine the cause and possible courses of treatment.
If you suspect that the cause of your chronic back pain is musculoskeletal in nature—for example, if you’ve had it since starting a new job, or after hurting yourself while moving furniture —then it’s not a bad idea to go directly to a physiotherapist.
The physio will help pinpoint which muscles or joints are causing or contributing to your back pain, and if it can be traced to posture or certain movement patterns that you do. The results of these assessments will determine which treatment modalities the physio will prescribe.
If you don’t have an idea of the possible causes of your chronic back pain, you can also see your GP first. Your GP will consider factors such as your symptoms, lifestyle, family history in order to narrow down the likely causes. In some cases, they may request tests such as an X-ray, MRI, or bone scan.
Depending on what your GP suspects the cause to be, they may then refer you to a specialist, such as a physiotherapist or rheumatologist. They may also prescribe medicines to help alleviate the pain.
The course of treatment for chronic back pain will vary depending on the cause, but it will generally involve:
Exercise therapy
If your back pain is musculoskeletal in nature, a physiotherapist can prescribe and teach you exercises that will help resolve imbalances, muscle tightness, or poor movement patterns that may be causing your chronic back pain.
Lifestyle changes
If your chronic back pain is caused by things like poor posture or bad sleeping positions, your physio or GP may recommend corrective exercises, and possibly changes in furniture. If being overweight is contributing to your back pain, a weight management plan may be advised.
Manual therapy
Your physiotherapist may employ various manual techniques such as soft-tissue mobilisations, myofascial release and trigger point therapy to help release any muscle tension that may be causing pain.
Medication
Depending on the severity of your pain, your GP may prescribe medicines such as nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help manage it. They may also prescribe maintenance medication (e.g., for rheumatoid arthritis).
If left unmanaged, chronic back pain can directly or indirectly cause a wide range of health and lifestyle problems.
Loss of work
In Australia, back pain is the leading cause of loss of productivity. Back pain can interfere with your work and potentially cause you to lose your job, as well as limit the range of jobs that you are able to take.
Limited lifestyle
Chronic back pain may make you reluctant to participate in physical activities, such as sport or exercise, and lead to a sedentary lifestyle. This can in turn lead to more problems such as poor cardiovascular health, weakened muscles, and unmanaged weight gain.
Sleep problems
Chronic back pain can cause sleep disturbance. Sleep deprivation over a long period of time can cause various health problems, including fatigue, cardiovascular issues, and low alertness and concentration.
Mental health
There is a link between lower back pain and the risk of depression and anxiety. Furthermore, chronic pain contributes to your overall stress levels, affecting your overall outlook in life, self-esteem, and relationships with others.
Whatever the cause may be, chronic back pain isn’t something you should just have to live with.
Because of the wide range of possible causes, pinpointing the exact culprit of your chronic back pain won’t always be easy, and can take a long time. However, it’s always worth it to try to find the root cause and address it, rather than rely on medication for pain alleviation long-term.
Our expert team of physiotherapists and occupational therapists are here to help. Contact us through this form or call us at 02 8808 4000!