Warning on Surprising Root of Back Aches: Insights from a Spine Specialist, With Solutions to Alleviate Discomfort
Chronic Back Pain Uncovered:
Let's face it, having a bad back ain't no walk in the park. About 80% of yanks will experience some sort of back pain in their lives, and for about 16 million, it's chronic and a real hassle.
While it's common as dirt, treating back pain is a tricky business. As Dr. Patricia Zheng, a physical medicine and rehab specialist, pointed out to Medical Xpress, "back pain may be caused by multiple overlapping factors that can't always be seen on a scan."
Some usual suspects for back pain include muscle strain, herniated discs, sprains, arthritis, slouching, being overweight, and not moving a muscle. But get this—one of the most overlooked causes of chronic back pain isn't physical at all. It's psychological.
In a 2024 study, Zheng and her team discovered that smoking, alcohol, obesity, sleep disturbances, and depression are risks for chronic back pain. Shocking, right? She explains, "Some patients are surprised that depression, which might be linked to sleep problems, is connected to back pain."
Depression can make pain feel like a punch to the gut, so Zheng recommends visiting a therapist or considering antidepressants for patients who can't seem to shake off the blues. "Studies show that the neurotransmitters that play a part in depression and anxiety are also involved in pain processing, so taking an antidepressant can dampen the nervous system's overreaction to pain," she said.
One out of every 10 treatments might be effective in easing lower back pain, so it's crucial to approach managing the condition from multiple angles.
First off, Zheng advises staying active, but not pushing it too hard. "Exercise is crucial, but make sure it's not too intense as research shows that can actually make things worse," she said. She personally alternates between Pilates, aerobics, and light weightlifting five days a week. However, even she slacks off when life gets hectic.
When you're at work, she suggests maintaining good posture and taking a break to stretch or move around every hour to relieve pressure on the spinal discs. As for standing desks? Some studies show they can help, but there's more science proving that a brisk walk can do the trick.
In fact, a recent Norwegian study linked walking 100 minutes a day with a 23% lower risk of chronic lower back pain.
If your back pain is due to an injury, Zheng stresses the importance of slowly getting back into action. "The problem is, if you don't move, you get deconditioned, which can make you more prone to future injuries," she explained.
In extreme cases, minimally invasive surgeries or steroid injections might be recommended. But before going under the knife, some folks have successfully eased their back pain by following an anti-inflammatory diet. This means cutting out sugar, red meat, and booze.
Although Zheng herself sometimes gives in to temptation, she tries to maintain a balanced diet. "I love sweets, but I'm not gonna pass up the dessert!" she laughed.
- Psychological factors, such as depression, are often overlooked causes of chronic back pain, as a 2024 study by Dr. Patricia Zheng and her team discovered.
- To manage chronic lower back pain effectively, it is crucial to approach treatment from multiple angles, including staying active but not pushing it too hard, maintaining good posture at work, taking breaks to stretch or move around regularly, and considering an anti-inflammatory diet of reduced sugar, red meat, and alcohol.
- Mental health conditions like depression can exacerbate back pain, making pain feel like a punch to the gut, and this link between mental health and chronic diseases like back pain is an increasingly important area of study in the field of health and wellness.
