In this post we discuss whether back pain is a medical issue given how common it seems to be.
Back pain is seemingly ubiquitous. Up to 85% of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives.
Ironically I’m experiencing some mild back pain as I write this.
Should I call the doctor or is this just a normal part of the human experience?
If you live in the U.K you’re probably smirking at this. Of course I could call the doctor but I don’t think I’ll still be in pain by the time I get an appointment.
This is the organic triage system that our National Health Service (NHS) have inadvertently put in place
In a twist of fate this might be the best way to do things.
Let me explain.
Back pain caused by the muscular system
Most incidents of back pain will pass by themselves. Especially the ones that are clearly connected to an occasion where you’ve done something out of the ordinary.
Carrying heavy (and getting heavier) children for example, or moving large items of furniture.
This is most likely due to an overload of your back muscles, which is followed by an uncomfortable increase in the tension of other muscles.
Whilst unpleasant, these sensations will pass as muscles recover and normal movement is gradually restored.
Closely connected to this situation is back pain of a more chronic or ongoing nature.
Whilst there may be no particular incident you can put your finger on, your back feels vulnerable and certain movements can trigger a response. Most often bending and twisting in some form or another.
Again this isn’t a medical issue to be treated.
A study by Warwick University for example, found physiotherapy treatment to be no more effective than advice for subjects who’d been suffering from this type of back pain for more than 6 weeks.
One of the study’s authors, Dr Stewart-Brown, concludes that the 1.3 million sessions of physiotherapy carried out by the NHS are largely a waste of resources.
She goes on to say “one of the best treatments for back pain is exercise. Exercise programmes that are graded to ensure improvements in cardiovascular or muscular strength are generally more beneficial than physiotherapy. Plus, exercise has a whole range of additional benefits. It can improve mental health, and can help to reduce obesity and lessen the risk of heart disease.”
How to prevent back pain caused by the muscular system
I would equate back pain of this nature to the common cold. Patients don’t necessarily want to hear we have no instant cure for something so ubiquitous and debilitating.
Just like the common cold however, there are things you can do to reduce your susceptibility. These include regular resistance training, eating a nutritious diet and getting adequate sleep.
Anecdotally the people I see for back pain of this nature, who’ve been through a medical process, tend to be in worse condition than people who’ve received good information and fewer medical treatments. This is borne out by the research.
Back pain that radiates into the buttock or down the leg
Any pain that radiates beyond the lower back suggests a nerve may be impinged. Most commonly this is the sciatic nerve, hence the name sciatica given to these type of presentations.
This usually occurs as a result of injury to a spinal disc which may then irritate passing nerves. Although most cases of nerve impingement will settle in 4 to 6 weeks, this might be worth investigating, particularly if the pain is getting worse rather than better.
Back pain accompanied by other symptoms
If your back pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss and fever then it’s definitely time to see a doctor.
Likewise pain that appears in certain positions or at particular times should be investigated further by a medical professional.
If you experience difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, or have numbness in your limbs, then it probably goes without saying you should get yourself to a hospital as soon as possible.
Summary
The majority of back pain cases can be successfully improved with targeted resistance training and lifestyle changes. There are of course some cases that require medical attention, thankfully these are the minority.
If you’re in any doubt seek medical advice.