Sometimes it feels like your back pain just appeared out of nowhere.
You need to understand where it came from so you can prevent it from happening again.
It could be just a muscle spasm bought on by some unusual movement. It could also be a condition which has been underlying and getting worse for years and “suddenly” it causes you serious pain.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN
Sudden onset of pain is referred to as being acute. It’s sudden and present.
Pain which has been coming and going, or constant, for more than a few months is classed as chronic.
Acute onset of back pain may well right itself and never return. Chronic pain is usually a sign that something more serious is going on. A chronic condition needs to be addressed or it may well get worse. It’s prudent to seek advice to investigate exactly what the condition is which is causing the pain.
WHY IS BACK PAIN SO COMMON
Back pain is the most common pain with roughly 80% of adults being affected in their lifetime. Lower back pain is the most common type of back pain. This is because the lower back takes most of the weight of your body. As people get heavier and/or less mobile, the lower back has to work harder, and problems can occur.
WHAT CAUSES THE ONSET OF LOWER BACK PAIN
Lower back pain is usually caused by one of two things.
Movement – either trauma such as an accident or incidental movement like lifting a child who is moving about or
Time – the passage of time, increased weight, reduction in mobility and normal degenerative changes with age can cause painful conditions of the spine.
Trauma or accident is clearly obvious such as incorrectly lifting an item, unusual and receptive incorrect posture movements – such as a new sport, auto or other accidents.
Degenerative conditions are less obvious and may have taken years to present in the form of pain. For example, a bulging disc which has moved into a position where it is now touching a nerve may have taken years to occur. It is only on that day that it starts to touch the nerve that the serious pain presents. It was not a sudden occurrence as it seems, as it has been progressively getting to that point.
WHAT TO DO WHEN PAIN PRESENTS
If your sudden pain goes away over a few days of rest, hot or cold packs and gentle movement, then you likely will be able to manage this pain. Try to remember what it was that bought it on. If it happens again quickly note what you were doing and try to modify your behaviour so that you can eliminate the cause of this pain.
You may find that learning how to lift and move to prevent back injury is of benefit to you.
Here is a good video https://www.spine-health.com/video/video-5-overlooked-tips-protect-your-lower-back
Thanks to Spinal Health and Veritas Videos
If your pain does not resolve itself over a few days you will need to seek some advice and physical therapies are probably the first place to start with an Osteopath, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist. If these therapies do not give you lasting relief, you may need to visit your doctor to get some imagery of your back and to have a medical diagnosis.
If your doctor suggests surgery, which is usually prescribed after manual therapy and medications have not resolved the issue, then consider investigating a more non-invasive solution like Non Surgical Spinal Decompression which may give you the relief you want without the need for surgery.
