Back pain is one of the most common medical issues in the world and is the leading cause of missed work and constraints to activity. 80% of adults experience back pain at some point in their lives. One study found that 54% percent of people suffer from back pain for five years or longer.
Globally, low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs). It causes depression, anxiety, poor sleep, decreased mobility, and relationship problems. The cost to treat back pain is estimated at over $100 billion each year.
Back pain can happen from accidents, lifting heavy objects, slipping and falling, inflammatory arthritis, spinal degenerative changes, and numerous other medical conditions. A medical provider will do an evaluation and possibly order additional testing, such as blood work, X-rays, MRI, computed tomography (CT) scan, electromyography (EMG), or a nerve conduction study (NCS). With proper treatment by a medical expert, back pain can be reduced or eliminated altogether. The best medical outcomes are found when medical professionals take the time to understand the cause of the back pain and choose the most effective treatment. Common treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), aspirin, physical therapy, psychotherapy, and Dunedin Spine Injection Treatments.
Overview of Back Pain
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NAIMS) back pain is a “dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain”. It can emerge slowly or occur suddenly. NAIMS divides back pain into three categories. 1) Acute back pain which occurs suddenly and doesn’t last more than a couple of weeks. 2) Subacute back pain which continues from 4 to 12 weeks and can occur suddenly or develop over time. 3) Chronic back pain which can develop over time or occur suddenly and is diagnosed when the pain lasts longer than 12 weeks.
Causes & Symptoms
Anyone can develop back pain, but there are some risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing back pain. As a person ages, the joints of the spine begin to wear out, many times without a good reason. The severity of back pain is influenced by anxiety and depression and other mental health issues.
Disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other genetic disorders cause chronic, severe back pain. People who live sedentary lifestyles and/or are overweight are more likely to experience back pain. Those individuals who work in physically demanding jobs that put strain on the back often experience back pain-related injuries. Smoking damages the arteries in the discs and increases bone thinning, leading to back pain. Stress causes muscle tension leading to stiffness, increased sensitivity, and back pain. Stress and chronic pain lead to the release of a hormone called cortisol which is linked to inflammatory damage, weight gain, cortisol dysfunction, oxidative stress, free radical damage, cellular injury and aging, and tissue degeneration, all of which cause back pain.
Treatments
Untreated or poorly treated back pain increases the likelihood of permanent disability, nerve damage, and spinal narrowing. Seventy-three percent of people with back pain use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help them manage their pain. However, long-term use of
NSAIDs, aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can lead to a worsening of asthma, stomach irritation and ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, bruising, kidney and liver damage, and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and blood clots. Spinal injections in Dunedin do not have the systemic side effects that medications do. Spinal injections are typically safe with rare side effects.
Back pain treatments such as spinal injections in Dunedin help the individual to feel better faster, with the results lasting between a week and a year. The Dunedin spinal injection treatments also aid in flushing out the inflammatory chemicals and proteins decreasing pain. Some of the treatment options are long-lasting and permanent.
Conclusion
No matter what the cause of your back pain is, there is no need to suffer or take long-term medications that potentially may lead to serious systemic side effects. There are other options available to control or eliminate back pain. Talk to a medical expert who will take the time to understand what is causing your back pain and recommend the treatments that are best suited to the cause of your pain, not just masking the symptoms. Call and schedule an evaluation and consultation with your PCP before self-treating with OTC medications.
*The article below was submitted as a writing sample to the company BluShark Digital on June 18, 2023, as part of a job application. I am posting so that my work cannot be stolen. This article is copyrighted by Educational Technology Systems, LLC and Justina Higgins, RN, MSN, PLNC, HCE, CHC, ALSO, BSN, AA, Dmin Candidate.
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