Spine pain - symptoms, description and treatment

• Back stiffness around the spine
• Restriction of movement
• Incorrect posture caused by pain
• Muscle cramps ^[1]

Limited mobility is common for patients who have inflammation in the joints. Spinal pain may be accompanied by weakness and tingling in the legs or pain in the buttocks. The burning pain in the arm from the spine is no exception. Some patients even complain of abdominal pain from the spine, which may be related to oppression of the nerves around the spine. ^[2]

What is spinal pain?

Spinal pain can occur anywhere in the back – from the cervical spine to the lower back. It can be mild and last only a short time, in other cases the pain is severe and troubles patients for a long time. Spinal pain can occur after a strain, a fall or a sudden movement, but in some cases the reason for the pain is not obvious. It may also be related to a chronic disease. [3]

Back and spinal pain can vary in character (sharp, dull, burning) and in duration (acute or chronic).

Acute back pain- usually lasts 1-2 weeks. The cause of pain is usually inflammation, an injury such as a muscle injury, an illness or a medical procedure. It will subside after the cause of the pain is resolved.

Chronic back pain – lasts for months or even years. It may ease and return repeatedly, or last throughout the duration of the trouble. It often accompanies some chronic disease, such as arthritis. It fundamentally disrupts the quality of life. [4]

• Spinal pain can be related to changes in muscle tension in the back, long-term overloading of the spine or a prolapsed intervertebral disc.
• Spinal pain can be the result of degenerative changes associated with older age.
• Pain in the lumbar spine often comes from inflammation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica).
• Pain in the sacrum also often arises as a result of improper lifting of heavy objects.
• Pain in the thoracic spine is often related to poor posture or to joint and muscle disorders or injuries.
• Less common causes of spinal pain include: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, infectious diseases. ^[5],^[6]

Many factors are involved in the development of spinal pain.

• An unhealthy lifestyle with excess weight and lack of physical activity plays a big role.
• The spine does not benefit from sedentary jobs or activities that require handling heavy loads.
• Pain can also occur as a result of a previous injury. Heredity and family history of spinal disorders also play a role. ^[7]
• A blocked back or cervical spine can also just be the result of a poor sleeping position or a poor quality mattress.

A proper diagnosis is usually necessary for spinal pain if the pain lasts for more than two weeks and the condition does not improve. In most cases, the pain subsides during this time.

What is the procedure if you go to the doctor with spinal pain?

• The doctor will ask in detail about the type of pain and situations when the pain appears or worsens.
• A physical examination is important, during which the doctor checks the range and limitation of movement or detects pain and tenderness.
• The imaging methods used for spinal pain are X-ray, MRI and CT. Thanks to them, the doctor can assess the condition of the vertebrae and surrounding tissues and determine the cause of the pain and treatment. [8] ,[9]

• Eight out of 10 people will experience lower back pain in their lifetime. ^[10]
• Chronic back pain may be related to smoking. Smoking impairs the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, weakening the muscles in the back. ^[11]

If spinal pain is not treated early and correctly, various complications can develop.

• If spinal pain lasts a long time and is not properly addressed, it can become chronic.
• Gradually, movement in the affected area of the spine may be restricted, which can affect the ability to carry out normal daily activities.
• Without proper care and rehabilitation, the muscles around the affected area may be weakened or shortened.
• Chronic inflammation in the spine can contribute to the development of arthritis.

Spinal pain is usually treated conservatively, i.e. without surgery. After the examination, the patient will learn what will bring pain relief in a given situation and how to proceed to prevent the recurrence of the problem. ^[12]

The patient should remain reasonably active despite the pain – bed rest should not last more than 1-2 days. Prolonged passivity can contribute to muscle stiffness and prolong the duration of pain.

• Relief from discomfort in the first few days is brought bypainkillers and inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants.
• In some cases, sprays are used – injecting painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs directly into the back.
• The patient should follow instructions on how to sit, lie and move correctly.
• Cold or warm compresses can also be used to relieve pain and inflammation.

Prevention of spinal pain and the development of chronic pain is mainly based on lifestyle changes and ergonomic measures. Long-term spinal care can be summarised in 10 points:

Lifestyle

• Engage in regular physical activity to strengthen your muscles and improve spinal stability.
• Choose sports that do not strain your back – swimming, cycling, fast walking.
• Stop smoking.
• Try to limit stressful situations – stress results in increased muscle tension.
• Maintain the right body weight. ^[17]

Ergonomics

• Make sure you have the right posture.
• When lifting heavy loads, firm the abdomen. Do not bend your back, but lift the load from a squatting position.
• When sitting, use a back support to give your spine proper support.
• Intersperse long periods of sitting or standing with breaks and change position as often as possible.
• Arrange your desk or workstation so that you don’t stretch, turn or bend unnecessarily. ^[18]