What makes backache

At birth, intervertebral discs are full of water and at their healthiest. As people age over time, discs lose hydration and wear down. As the disc loses hydration, it cannot resist forces as well, and transfers force to the disc wall that may develop tears and cause pain or weakening that can lead to a herniation.

The disc can also collapse and contribute to stenosis. Facet joint dysfunction. There are two facet joints behind each disc at each motion segment in the lumbar spine.

These joints have cartilage between the bones and are surrounded by a capsular ligament, which is richly innervated by nerves. These joints can be painful by themselves, or in conjunction with disc pain.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum at the bottom of the spine to each side of the pelvis. It is a strong, low-motion joint that primarily absorbs shock and tension between the upper body and the lower body. The sacroiliac joint can become painful if it becomes inflamed sacroiliitis or if there is too much or too little motion of the joint.

Spinal stenosis. This condition causes pain through narrowing of the spinal canal where the nerve roots are located. The narrowing can be central, forminal, or both, and can be at a single level or multiple levels in the lower back. Kellerman RD, et al. Spine pain. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Low back pain.

American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Walls RM, et al. Back pain. Foster NE, et al. Prevention and treatment of low back pain: Evidence, challenges and promising directions. The Lancet. Knight CL, et al. Treatment of acute low back pain. Chou R. Subacute and chronic low back pain: Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment. Shelerud RA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Problems with any of these components can lead to back pain.

In some cases of back pain, its cause remains unclear. Back pain commonly stems from strain, tension, or injury. Frequent causes of back pain are:.

Adopting a very hunched sitting position when using computers can result in increased back and shoulder problems over time. The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing low back pain:. Lower back pain also tends to be more common in women than in men, possibly due to hormonal factors. Stress , anxiety , and mood disorders have also been linked to back pain. The main symptom of back pain is an ache or pain anywhere in the back, and sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and legs.

The pain often goes away without treatment, but if it occurs with any of the following people should see their doctor:. You should seek medical help if you experience any numbness or tingling, or if you have back pain:. A doctor will usually be able to diagnose back pain after asking about symptoms and carrying out a physical examination. Back pain is categorized into two types :. If a person has both occasional bouts of more intense pain and fairly continuous mild back pain, it can be hard for a doctor to determine whether they have acute or chronic back pain.

Back pain usually resolves with rest and home remedies, but sometimes medical treatment is necessary. Applying a hot compress or an ice pack to the painful area may also reduce pain. Resting from strenuous activity can help, but moving around will ease stiffness, reduce pain, and prevent muscles from weakening.

If home treatments do not relieve back pain, a doctor may recommend the following medication, physical therapy , or both. Codeine or hydrocodone, which are narcotics, may be prescribed for short periods. These require close monitoring by the doctor. In some cases, muscle relaxants may be used. Antidepressants , such as amitriptyline , may be prescribed, but research is ongoing at to their effectiveness, and the evidence is conflicting. Physical therapy: Applying heat, ice, ultrasound , and electrical stimulation — as well as some muscle-release techniques to the back muscles and soft tissues — may help alleviate pain.

As the pain improves, the physical therapist may introduce some flexibility and strength exercises for the back and abdominal muscles. Techniques for improving posture may also help. The patient will be encouraged to practice the techniques regularly, even after the pain has gone, to prevent back pain recurrence.

Cortisone injections: If other options are not effective, these may be injected into the epidural space, around the spinal cord. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug.

It helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots. Make sure you tell them about your condition. Simple painkillers such as paracetamol may help to reduce symptoms and allow you to continue with your everyday activities. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, which you can buy at chemists and supermarkets, can also help.

However, if they do help but the pain returns when you stop taking them, you could try another short course. There are also anti-inflammatory creams or gels that can be rubbed onto affected areas. If you have any questions or concerns about what drugs you can take and the dosage, talk to a doctor or a pharmacist.

Read our treatments section for more information. Applying a heat pack to the affected area can ease pain and stiffness. You can use a reusable heat pad which you can buy from chemists and sports shops, a microwavable wheat bag or a hot-water bottle.

Make sure you protect your skin from direct contact with heat or ice packs to avoid burns or irritation of your skin.

A tea towel over the heat or ice pack is one way to do that. Read the instructions carefully if you have bought a heat or ice therapy product. Applying ice or heat for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time is normally enough. Try to maintain good posture when sitting at home, at work or in the car. Staying in awkward positions while working or driving, for example, will affect the soft tissues in your back that support your spine, and will increase your pain or your recovery time. Try to change your posture often, because remaining in the same position for too long can be bad for you.

There are many different complementary treatments that are believed to help with pain relief, and some people do feel better when they use them. Sometimes acupuncture might provide pain relief. Massage is a manual technique which uses rhythmic strokes, kneading or tapping actions to move the muscles and soft tissue of the body.

Massage can reduce anxiety and stress levels, ease muscular tension and fatigue, and improve circulation, which all work to reduce pain levels. Bend your knees when lifting and allow your spine to move as necessary, without twisting it. When doing tasks like carrying shopping, try and split the load between both hands.

Keeping the weight close to your body also helps. If you need to lose weight, the key is to regularly burn off more energy than you consume on a daily basis.

Read more about diet. Pain management programmes may help you control your pain and teach you how to live with long-term pain. The sessions will then look at what you can do to overcome difficulties. Read more about pain and arthritis. Taking some painkillers, staying active and doing some specific exercises are generally the most helpful treatments for people with back pain.

However, some people will need further medical treatment. Physiotherapy can be useful to improve your strength and flexibility. Exercise is one of the most effective treatments for back pain. A physiotherapist can help oversee your exercise programme and recommend specific exercises to help. These manual therapy techniques are usually carried out by osteopaths, chiropractors and physiotherapists. These therapies might not be suitable for all back conditions.

And make sure you explain to the therapist what condition you have. Read more about physiotherapy. If your back pain is causing problems with daily activities such as dressing, washing and driving, you may find it useful to see an occupational therapist.

They may suggest different ways of doing things to reduce the strain or recommend aids or gadgets that will help you. Find out more about occupational therapy.

For example, cognitive behaviour therapy CBT can help people with back pain. The aim is to help people to deal with problems in a more positive way, by breaking them down into smaller parts.

Your doctor may be able to refer you for CBT, or you might like to consider going private.