Back pain interferes with everyday life: where to start?
At first, the back only hurts after a day at work. Later, it becomes difficult to sit for long periods of time, sleep comfortably, bend over, or walk long distances. The person begins to avoid walks and normal activities because they are afraid that movement will make the pain worse.
When pain begins to dictate the rules of everyday life, it is important to not just temporarily relieve it. It is necessary to understand what factors can control it and what kind of help a particular person needs.
Why does your back hurt even though you haven't had an injury?
Back pain doesn't necessarily start suddenly. It can occur after prolonged sitting, unusual physical exertion, or repetitive movements, and sometimes it gets worse gradually and a person can't pinpoint a clear cause.
Pain can be caused by strain on muscles and other soft tissues, changes in spinal joints or intervertebral discs, irritation of the nerve root, or other conditions.
However, the location or severity of pain alone cannot reliably determine the cause. Also, not every spinal abnormality seen on imaging is necessarily the source of pain. Therefore, the findings of the tests are evaluated in conjunction with the symptoms and the patient's physical examination.
Where to start when the pain doesn't go away?
Start by asking yourself a few questions: when does it hurt the most, what movements make it worse and what movements make it better, does the pain radiate to your buttock or leg, and does it interfere with your sleep and normal activities? This information can help you and your doctor better understand the problem.
If there are no warning symptoms, it is usually not necessary to completely stop moving. Light walking and daily activities according to your health may be more beneficial than prolonged lying down. However, you should not force yourself to perform movements that significantly increase pain.
If the pain is getting worse, recurring, does not go away within a few weeks, or significantly limits your daily life, consult a doctor. Consultation is also important if the pain is constantly disturbing your sleep or causing you to give up your usual activities.
Is an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) always necessary?
No. Magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is not ordered automatically, but only when the test results may change treatment decisions or when a specific suspected condition needs to be evaluated.
For most people, a thorough interview and physical examination are the first steps. The doctor will find out when the pain started, how it changes with movement, whether it spreads down the leg, whether there is numbness or weakness, and what treatments have already been tried.
If a test is performed, its findings should be interpreted in light of the symptoms and not evaluated in isolation.
What treatment may be needed?
Treatment depends on the cause, duration, symptoms, and how the pain affects a person's life. For some, advice on daily activities, pain or anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy may be sufficient. In other cases, targeted pain management procedures or a consultation with a neurosurgeon regarding surgery may be considered.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is important to assess your individual situation and discuss the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives with your doctor.
„At Clinic Agatas in Kaunas and Klaipėda, anesthesiologists-resuscitators and pain specialists provide consultations for acute and chronic back pain. After assessing the patient's complaints, examination, and available tests, they discuss further steps and create an individual treatment plan, and sometimes recommend consulting with the clinic's neurosurgeons regarding surgery.
When can't you procrastinate?
Urgent medical attention is needed if back pain is accompanied by new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the perineum, or severe or rapidly progressive weakness in the legs. Urgent evaluation is also important if the pain suddenly becomes very severe, fever develops, or the general condition significantly worsens.
Back pain shouldn't become a constant compromise between what you want to do and what your body allows. By assessing your symptoms early, you can choose the most appropriate course of action and avoid unnecessary tests or treatment.
