Regardless of your age or lifestyle, chronic lower back pain can be an incredibly difficult condition to experience on a regular basis. Besides causing constant discomfort, it can also create issues with your physical movement and mental well-being. These chronic low back pain issues can lead to a lower overall quality of life.
In order to alleviate chronic lower back pain, it is important that you reach out to specialized healthcare providers. With targeted approaches and effective treatments, you can manage the challenges that stem from this painful condition.
These specialized low back pain providers understand low back issues and will work with you to address the lower back pain causes.
If you have been experiencing chronic lower back pain, it is important to learn more about its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. This information allows you to make informed decisions about your health and lets you attain a better quality of life while living with the condition.
What Is Chronic Lower Back Pain, and Why Does It Develop?
Pain in the lower back can develop after an injury or an underlying cause. After the reason behind the back pain is treated properly, the pain may subside permanently. This type of pain is called acute or short-term lower back pain.
But there are cases where lower back pain lasts for at least 12 weeks despite proper treatment of an underlying cause. In some situations, a reason behind the pain cannot be identified at all. In either instance, the condition is classified as chronic lower back pain.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), around 20 percent of people who experience acute lower back pain end up with chronic lower back pain.
Despite its consistent presence, any reasons behind chronic lower back pain development can be difficult to diagnose. In many cases where the reason is identified, it can be hard to treat it completely. Due to these factors, chronic lower back pain stands out as a challenging condition that needs holistic management and treatment approaches.
Symptoms of Chronic Lower Back Pain
The symptoms of chronic lower back pain typically stem from dull to moderate pain. However, the intensity of this pain can sometimes turn to a sharp sensation. It is important to determine if you have other signs of chronic lower back pain for proper diagnosis.
The symptoms of chronic lower back pain include, but are not limited to the following.
- Persistent pain in the lower back area. The lower back is a complex system of muscles and bones that support your body. It’s made up of five vertebrae, starting with L1 in front to L5.
- Pain that lasts 12 weeks or more. The sensation of lower back pain does not go away with treatment and instead lasts for around three months or more.
- Difficulty in regular movements. Everyday actions such as walking, standing, sitting, or a change in posture become challenging.
Other symptoms such as muscle spasms or an abrupt shooting ache can also be present. However, these signs depend on a case-by-case basis and may not be apparent in your case. This holds true even when you have other signs of chronic lower back pain.
Cuses of Chronic Lower Back Pain
There are several causes for chronic lower back pain that range from sudden impact to underlying conditions. With that being said, it is prudent to note that the causes of chronic lower back pain are not always diagnosable. Even when your medical examinations or tests return no apparent explanations for your chronic lower back pain, the pain may exist and persist in an evident fashion.
Some of the most common causes behind chronic lower back pain include, but are not limited to the following.
- Sudden injury to the spine, tendons, ligaments, or muscles.
- Sprains that stretch or tear your ligaments.
- Strains that tear your tendons or muscles.
- Herniated or ruptured spinal discs.
- Degenerative diseases or conditions.
- Arthritis or joint pain conditions.
- Spinal cord conditions.
- Osteoporosis weakens the bone structure.
Treatment Options for Chronic Lower Back Pain
Since the reasons behind chronic lower back pain are not always identifiable, treatment options vary on a case-by-case basis. In many situations, the focus is on pain management instead of treating the underlying cause. This is most evident in cases where a reason behind the back pain cannot be found or treated completely.
After going through examinations such as imaging tests, bone scans, and bloodwork, your healthcare providers may suggest one or multiple approaches from the following options.
- Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Topical pain relievers such as over-the-counter (OTC) lotions, gels, or sprays.
- Temperature therapy with the use of hot packs or cold compresses.
- Acupuncture to release your body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals.
- Physical therapy or exercise regimes to encourage movement and alleviate pain.
- Spinal manipulation through the use of chiropractic.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy to cope with the presence of chronic pain.
- Surgical procedures to treat the root cause of chronic pain.
In order to seek relief from chronic lower back pain, you need to go through a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment approach. This ensures that you can get the holistic care that you need to alleviate or manage your pain.
Contact the New York Spine Specialist Today
If you are looking for help with low back pain, our chronic low back pain experts can help.
At New York Spine Specialist, our team of experts excels at targeted chronic lower back pain treatment. Whether your pain stems from an injury, trauma, degenerative disorders, or an unidentified reason, our solutions can help you address it in order to live a healthier and happier life.
To see how our solutions can support you through your chronic lower back pain, contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment. We will be here to understand your low back concerns and guide you through the process to resolve them promptly.
Remember to reach out to us to discuss your low back pain and to obtain the pain relief you need to live a better life today.