Are you tired of suffering from chronic back pain? This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about back pain diagnosis and treatment.

80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and for many of those people that back pain can continue for years. This is where a proper back pain diagnosis is necessary to take the right steps.

Read on to learn more about the various types of back pain and the best treatment options.

Types of Back Pain

While back pain is typically a generalized term, it’s more of a symptom than an actual condition.

These conditions may have occurred early on but were too mild to notice. However, once time goes on and the condition worsens it may seem too painful to bear. In this case, you’ll need a more formal diagnosis to know exactly what the problem is.

It’s likely that your back pain will fall under one of the more common types of back injuries. These may include:

– A slipped disc

– Pinched nerve

– Arthritis

– Osteoporosis

– Referred pain (From something happening in the kidney or another region)

– Cistica

– Pregnancy

– Fibromyalgia

– Cancer

Causes of Back Pain

Assuming that your back pain has not come as a result of a more serious condition there are a number of causes that could lead to back pain. Some people suffer from a degenerative disc disease or bulging discs. These discs work as “shock absorbers” in the in the spines vertebrae, and if any damage occurs within them it will likely lead to back pain.

In other cases, you may simply be dealing with inflammation that can take place within the upper body. On a more minor scale, it could be more related to the way you sleep or your posture throughout the day.

Testing For Back Pain Diagnosis

Since there are so many different conditions associated with back pain, your doctor may have to run multiple tests to narrow down what the problem actually is. These tests may include:

– X-Ray: In which the doctor will scan images of your bones and the alignment of your spine.

– Blood tests: To check for any invasive conditions that could be resulting in back pain.

– Nerve Studies: To check for any pinched nerves that will create pain when pressure is applied in a specific area.

– Bonce scan: Used in rarer cases to check for any tumors residing within the bone.

Treatment Types

Based on the final diagnosis, your doctor will choose a prescription or treatment option to help relieve your back pain. These treatment options may include:

– Muscle Relaxers: In the event that your back pain is milder, and requires something stronger than over the counter medication, your doctor may prescribe you a type of muscle relaxant to help.

– Over the Counter Medications: Some back pains can simply be handled with over the counter medications. Typically these medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatments like Advil, Motrin, or Ibuprofen that you may already have in your medicine cabinet.

– Antidepressants: Many people are surprised to find that certain types of antidepressants, like amitriptyline, hold the potential to treat chronic back pain.

– Injections: For more severe cases, injections may be needed to relieve back pain. These injections will typically include cortisone or some type of numbing agent to reduce inflammation.

Alternative Remedies

If medication is not right for you, there are a number of alternative treatments you can use to relieve the pain. Your doctor may suggest that you start working with a physical therapist or taking a specific type of yoga in order to help heal a back injury.

Other treatments like cupping, acupuncture, and increasing your Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 may help reduce the inflammation found within the region. Combined, these methods can be a strong option in helping to reduce pain within the back.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy and exercise is often a recommended treatment option to help reverse inflammation and relieve back pain. This is more likely to be the suggested route if you have lived with the back pain for some time, or if it came as a result of an injury.

You will want to work with a certified physical therapist that knows exactly which area to focus on and which motions will be the most beneficial. We do not recommend taking this upon yourself, as doing incorrect stretches or exercises can make the condition even worse.

Surgery

In some cases, you may need to undergo surgery in order to relieve back pain. This is rarely the case, however, if your back pain is unrelenting and is associated with other symptoms such as leg pain or muscle weakness, it may be a sign of a damaged nerve that needs to be repaired.

Other cases where surgery needs to occur include a narrowing of the spine (known as spinal stenosis) or a herniated disk. In both cases, your doctor is likely to recommend physical therapy first. If you are nervous about surgery, you can always learn more about the subject or speak with your doctor.

Prevention

If you’ve cured your back pain or are aiming to avoid it in the future, there are some preventative measures you can take to stay strong and healthy.

First, it’s important to hold a consistent exercise routine, with a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least three days a week. You’ll also want to pay attention to your posture while standing, sitting, or lying down. Investing in a good mattress for back support can also help.

Finally, taking time to relax with yoga or the occasional massage can help long-term health.

What to Discuss with Your Doctor

To be sure your doctor can find the right diagnosis when you go in for your next appointment, try and discuss the following topics:

– When did the back pain first begin?

– Has any accidents or injuries occurred in the last 5 years?

– What other medical conditions have been experienced recently?

– What type of treatment may be needed and for how long?

– What side effects may occur as a result of the suggested medications?

– Any changes in lifestyle or routine

Taking the Right Steps Towards Better Back Health

The first step in relieving back pain is being aware of how it starts. By paying attention to your posture, staying on top of your workout routine and paying attention to your diet, you’ll be taking steps in the right direction.

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Are you tired of suffering from chronic back pain? This ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about back pain diagnosis and treatment. 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and for many of those people that back pain can...