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Quick And Easy Help

Getting relief from back pain is just a click away! Book an online session with our experts to start feeling better and get the support you need without leaving home.

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Personalised Back Pain Treatment

Our professionals create custom treatment plans just for you. Learn simple exercises and tips to ease pain, improve flexibility, and strengthen your back. Get back to feeling your best with guidance from home.

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Ongoing Support For Your Recovery

We’re here for you every step of the way. Our caring team will listen, understand, and advise you on managing back pain and staying active. Start your journey to recovery today!

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What Is Back Pain and Why It Happens

Back pain is something most people experience at some point in their lives. It can feel like a dull ache or sharp pain and may affect various parts of your back, such as your lower back, upper back, or neck. The good news is that back pain is usually not severe and often improves within a few weeks or months.

Back pain often occurs for simple reasons, such as straining or pulling a muscle. This can occur from lifting something heavy, sitting in an incorrect position for too long, or maintaining poor posture. Sometimes, not getting enough exercise can weaken your back muscles, which can also lead to pain.

If you have back pain, it’s essential to stay as active as possible. Staying active and doing your everyday activities can help your back heal faster. You can also use over-the-counter pain medicine or apply heat or ice to the sore area to feel better. But if the pain doesn’t improve or you’re worried about it, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor who can help and suggest the best treatment options.

Common Symptoms of Back Pain Explained

Back pain can feel different for everyone, and its symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause. Some common symptoms are:

  • A dull, aching pain anywhere in your back

  • Sharp or stabbing pain that may spread down your leg

  • Difficulty standing up straight without pain

  • Limited movement or trouble bending and flexing your back

  • Pain that travels from your lower back to your foot (sciatica)

  • Pain that doesn’t improve with rest

  • Numbness around the buttocks, genitals, or legs

  • Trouble controlling your bladder or bowel movements

  • Swelling or redness in your back

  • Fever along with back pain

Main Causes of Back Pain

Back pain can happen for many reasons, and sometimes it doesn’t have a clear cause. Here are some common causes:

  • Muscle Strain or Sprain: Lifting heavy objects the wrong way, sudden awkward movements, or overworking your muscles, like when you play sports or do too much yard work, can strain the muscles and ligaments in your back.

  • Poor Posture and Lack of Exercise: Sitting or standing with poor posture over time can stress your back. Not getting enough exercise can also weaken the muscles around your spine, making back pain more likely.

  • Structural Problems: The spine comprises bones called vertebrae cushioned by discs. Sometimes, these discs can bulge or rupture, pressing on nerves and causing pain. This can lead to conditions like sciatica, where pain travels from your lower back down your leg.

  • Spinal Conditions: Spondylosis is a condition that happens as we get older when the spine’s bones and discs naturally weaken. Spinal stenosis is when the space around the spinal nerves gets squeezed, causing pain, especially when walking.

  • Osteoporosis: This condition makes bones weak and more likely to break, leading to spine fractures that cause back pain.

  • Other Causes: Though infections, tumours, or inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis can also cause rare back pain. If your back pain is severe or doesn’t improve, you should see a doctor to check for serious issues.

Maintaining a healthy back through regular exercise, good posture, and proper lifting techniques can help prevent numerous back problems.

Common Back Pain Causes and Treatment Options

Cause Description Recommended Treatment
Muscle Strain Overuse or sudden movement causing muscle injury Rest, heat/ice, pain relief, gentle exercise
Poor Posture Long sitting or standing positions strain back muscles Ergonomic changes, stretching, physiotherapy
Herniated Disc Disc presses on nerves causing sharp or radiating pain Physical therapy, medication, sometimes surgery
Sciatica Nerve compression causing lower back and leg pain Anti-inflammatory medication, stretching, injections
Osteoporosis Weak bones causing spine compression fractures Calcium, vitamin D, medication, gentle exercise
Ankylosing Spondylitis Inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine Anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy, posture training

 

Different Types of Back Pain

Understanding your type of back pain can make finding the proper treatment and feeling better more accessible. Back pain can feel different depending on where and what’s causing it. Here are some common types:

Lower Back Pain (Lumbago):

This is the most common kind of back pain. It can be a mild ache or sharp pain and can occur suddenly, such as when you lift something heavy or get hurt playing sports. It often affects young people who engage in physically demanding jobs and older adults. Sometimes, it goes away on its own, but it can also persist for a long time.

Upper And Middle Back Pain

This type is less common but can happen if you strain your muscles or have bad posture. Sitting or standing with poor posture for extended periods can lead to upper or middle back pain. It usually gets better with rest and gentle movement, but you should see a doctor if it doesn’t improve.

Sharp or Shooting Pain

If you feel a sharp, burning pain or a “pins and needles” feeling, it might be from a pinched or irritated nerve. An example is sciatica, which causes pain in the lower back and lower leg. Problems like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis can also cause this kind of nerve pain.

Pain With Numbness Or Weakness

Sometimes, back pain is accompanied by numbness or weakness, typically due to a nerve being compressed by a condition such as a herniated disc or a slipped vertebra. If this happens, it’s essential to get medical help.

Inflammatory Back Pain

This pain comes and goes, and can feel worse when you’re active. It is often caused by inflammation in the spine, such as with the condition called ankylosing spondylitis. Resting or lying down might help relieve the pain.

Effective Treatments for Back Pain Relief

Treating back pain depends on the cause and severity of the condition. For many people, simple home remedies are sufficient to help relieve discomfort. However, medical treatment might be needed if the pain is severe or doesn’t improve.

Home Treatments

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, can be helpful for minor back pain. Applying a hot compress or an ice pack to the sore area may ease the pain. Resting for a short time can be beneficial, but it’s essential to continue moving gently to prevent stiffness and maintain muscle strength.

Physical Therapy And Exercise

If back pain persists, a doctor may recommend consulting a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy can include exercises to improve strength and flexibility, posture training, and techniques like heat or cold therapy. Gentle exercises, such as stretching and low-impact activities like walking, can make a significant difference. Regular exercise can help keep your back healthy even after the pain has gone.

Medical Treatment

Doctors might prescribe more potent pain relief or muscle relaxants for more severe cases. Sometimes, steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation around nerves. Surgery is usually a last resort, only considered when other treatments have failed and the pain is severe or causing nerve problems. Common surgeries include discectomy (removing part of a damaged disc) and spinal fusion (joining two vertebrae to stabilise the spine).

Alternative Therapies

Other options that may help include acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic adjustments. Always consult your doctor before trying any new treatments. Maintaining good posture, staying active, and engaging in exercises to strengthen your core can help prevent back pain in the future.

Underlying Conditions Linked to Back Pain

As previously mentioned, back pain can stem from a variety of reasons. Typically, it is not a cause for alarm and will resolve independently without medical intervention. However, there are instances where the discomfort may be linked to an underlying issue, such as:

Intervertebral Disc Displacement: The cartilage disc between spinal bones might shift, bulge, herniate, or rupture, leading to nerve pressure and back pain. Treatment often involves pain relief and physiotherapy.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: A form of arthritis causing vertebrae fusion, restricting spinal movement, and resulting in a rigid back.

Renal Issues: Discomfort in the back near the waist (kidney region) could stem from kidney infection, urinary tract infection, or kidney stones, causing pain on either side.

Sciatica: Irritation of the nerve from the pelvis to the feet leads to back pain, leg, buttock, groin pain, tingling, or numbness.

Osteoporosis: Bones weaken, causing spine compression fractures and severe back pain.

Spinal Infections: Infections by fungi or bacteria like Staphylococcus, tuberculosis, or E. coli can affect the spine.

Cancer or Tumour: Uncommon, but back pain might signal cancer or a benign growth.

Pregnancy: Among women, back pain, particularly in late pregnancy, can result from the growing baby's impact.

If you're experiencing back pain, you can schedule an appointment with Mobi Doctor at a convenient time. Our team of doctors is available every day of the week and can provide personalised advice, diagnosis, and treatment tailored to your back condition. If you require further treatment, such as physiotherapy, they can also refer you to a specialist who can provide additional assistance.

FAQ

Common causes include muscle strain, poor posture, herniated discs, or conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Stress and lack of exercise can also worsen it.

Yes. Mobi Doctor connects you with licensed doctors online who can diagnose, prescribe medication, and suggest exercises or physiotherapy referrals.

See a doctor if your back pain lasts over two weeks, is severe, or comes with numbness, fever, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Gentle movement, stretching, and applying heat or ice can help. Avoid prolonged bed rest, and try light activity like walking or yoga.

Yes. Sitting for long periods strains your spine. Take short breaks, stretch often, and use an ergonomic chair for support.

Yes. Tension from stress can tighten muscles, especially in the neck and lower back, leading to pain and stiffness.

Low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, and stretching strengthen your back and improve posture without adding pressure to your spine.


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