Back pain is a common problem resulting from mechanical issues and soft-tissue injuries. Most of the time, people experience back due to muscle strain and ligament sprain resulting from lifting a heavy object, poor posture over time, and sudden movements that stress the lower back. The good news is that mild back pain usually improves with simple remedies such as hot and cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers. However, if the pain is chronic, regenerative medicine San Diego can help improve your quality of life. Below are the common causes of chronic back pain.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more bony openings of the spine, which causes pain when nerve roots are compressed. The narrowing can occur anywhere along the spine; the most affected areas include the cervical (neck) and lumbar (back) regions. Spinal stenosis commonly results from wear and tear changes related to osteoarthritis, but it can also be due to spinal injuries, thickened ligaments, tumors, and herniated disks. Although most people with spinal stenosis are above 50 years, this condition can occur earlier in life due to degenerative changes.
Degenerative disc disease
Degenerative disc disease is when regular changes occur in your spinal discs as you age, causing pain. Nearly everyone who lives long enough will have some degree of disc degeneration. For example, the discs may dry out and become flat, meaning less shock absorption. When discs lose water, they may not cushion the vertebrae as before, leading to other problems such as bone spurs formation. The stress of everyday movements may also eventually tear the outer membrane of the discs. Tears near nerves can be painful, and the disc’s softcore can push out of the cracks and bulge into the spinal cord.
Lumbar herniated disc
A herniated disc is a problem with one or more of the rubbery cushions between vertebrae making up your spine. Discs have a soft inner core called the nucleus enclosed by a tough membrane called the annulus. As you age, the outer membrane may develop tears or weak spots through which the disc’s inner contents can push through. Part of the disc can bulge into the spinal canal and press on nerves, causing pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. Most of the time, people with herniated discs have no symptoms, and if they do, these symptoms tend to improve without medical treatment.
Osteoarthritis
There are more than a hundred types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common form. It is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage covering the bones’ ends wears and tears with age. When the cartilage wears down, bones can rub against each other when you move, which may be painful. The affected joints can also be stiff, tender, swollen, and less flexible. Any joints in the body can be affected, but osteoarthritis is common in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. The joint damage is irreversible, but specific treatments can help slow disease progression, manage pain, and improve joint function
If you have chronic back pain, visit your doctor at Gain Wellness Center for treatment to improve your quality of life.
