Chronic Back Pain

In most cases, there isn't a clear cause. Back pain can be caused by overuse, strain, or injury. For example, people often hurt their backs playing sports or working in the yard, being jolted in a car accident, or lifting something too heavy.

Aging plays a part too. Your bones and muscles tend to lose strength as you age, which makes injury more likely. The spongy discs between the bones of the spine (vertebrae) may suffer from wear and tear and no longer provide enough cushion between the bones. A disc that bulges or breaks open (herniated disc) can press on nerves, causing back pain.

In some people, back pain is the result of arthritis, broken vertebrae caused by bone loss (osteoporosis), illness, or a spine problem.

Although most people have back pain at one time or another, there are steps you can take to make it less likely.

Health care professionals who often diagnose the cause of back pain include:

• Primary care providers. Examples are:
  • Family doctors
  • Internists
  • Osteopathic physicians
  • Chiropractors
  • Physical therapists
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Physician assistants
• Emergency doctors

If your back pain is severe or long-lasting, health professionals who can treat you include:

• Orthopedists
• Rheumatologists
• Neurologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Physiatrists
• Pain management providers

You can also get care from:

• Acupuncturists
• Certified massage therapists

There are several things you can do to help reduce back pain. Try these tips.

• Rest, but not too much. If your back hurts a lot, take a break. But try not to let too much time pass before you get moving again. Instead, return to your activities slowly, and avoid things that make your pain worse. Studies show that bed rest doesn't relieve back pain better than staying active. And bed rest for more than a couple of days can make your back pain worse. It can also lead to other problems, such as stiff joints and weak muscles.
• Use over-the-counter pain medicines. For most back pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, seem to work best for back pain. But if you can't take NSAIDs, you can try acetaminophen. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Use a heating pad or ice pack. You can use either heat or cold, whichever helps you the most. You might want to switch back and forth between heat and cold until you find what helps you the most.
• Exercise. Ask your doctor or a physical therapist about what kinds of exercises you can do to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your back, shoulders, and stomach. These muscles help support your spine. Strong muscles can help improve your posture, keep your body in better balance, decrease your chance of injury, and reduce pain.
• Practice good posture. Poor posture puts stress on your back. Be sure to stand or sit tall, with your shoulders and your stomach pulled in to support your back. Don't slump or slouch. Take extra care when you lift. When you must lift, bend your knees and keep your back straight. Avoid twisting. Keep the load close to your body.
• Keep a pain diary. Write down how your moods, thoughts, sleep patterns, activities, and medicines affect your pain. Having a record of your pain can help you and your doctor find the best ways to treat your pain.
• Don't smoke. Smoking decreases blood flow and slows healing. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.