Do you also suffer from back pain? (Back Pain) Let's find out exactly about this

It is hard to find someone who has not experienced back pain in our daily lives, isn't it? Sometimes this pain can come from lifting something small, sitting incorrectly, or even from a minor accident. But not all back pain is the same, and the causes of it are different. So today, let's talk about what this back pain is, its causes, symptoms, and treatments in detail and simply.

First, let's look at how our spine is made.

Simply put, our spine is a collection of small bones that run from our skull to our pelvis, arranged in a row. We call these small bones `vertebrae` . Our spine is made up of 33 of these vertebrae. The most important thing about this is that the spinal cord, which controls our entire body, runs through these vertebrae and is protected.

Imagine, when these vertebrae are stacked on top of each other, there has to be something to prevent them from rubbing against each other, right? That's why there's a piece of cartilage called an intervertebral disk between two vertebrae. It acts like a shock absorber in a car, absorbing the pressure on our backs when we run and jump.

Our spine can be divided into main parts:

• Cervical vertebrae: The 7 vertebrae in the neck.
• Thoracic vertebrae: The 12 vertebrae located between the neck and lower back.
• Lumbar Vertebrae : The 5 strongest and largest vertebrae in the lower back.
• Sacrum and Coccyx: The bones at the lowest end of the spine.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to a doctor for back pain, he will first ask you questions (medical history) and examine you to get an idea of ​​the condition. Then, if necessary, he may order some tests like these to find the exact cause.

• X-ray examination: This mainly checks the structure of the bones of the spine, their instability (such as a slippage), tumors, or fractures .
• CT scan: This can identify specific conditions such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.
• MRI scan: This is the best test to look at the discs and nerve roots in great detail. It is often used to plan before surgery.

Let's identify two specific types of back pain.

Although there are many common causes of back pain, today we're talking about two conditions that are a bit more specific and require medical treatment .

1. Spondylolisthesis (slipping of the vertebrae)

This name sounds a little scary, doesn't it? But it's simple to understand. What happens is that one vertebra ('vertebra') slips forward or backward over the vertebra below it. Think of it like one brick in a row of bricks slipping forward a little. This condition most often occurs in the lower back (lumbar spine).

What are the symptoms of this condition?

Treatment of spondylolisthesis

One of the best treatments for this is physical therapy . It strengthens the muscles that support the back and abdomen. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. If the pain is severe, an epidural steroid injection may be given.

In addition, your doctor may also consider specific medications for neuropathic pain and muscle relaxants. However, if you have a medical condition like diabetes, you should be careful when taking steroids, as they can temporarily increase your blood sugar levels. Therefore, discuss everything with your doctor. If these treatments do not help, surgery to provide more space for the nerves (decompressive laminectomy) or spinal fusion (spinal fusion) may be considered.

2. Cervical Radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck)

This is a condition that occurs when a nerve root that comes out of the cervical vertebrae in the neck becomes compressed . Just as someone steps on a water pipe and the water flow slows down, when the nerve is compressed, the signals that travel through it are interrupted.

The main cause of this condition in young people is a ruptured disc in the neck, causing the nerve to become compressed by the material that comes out of it. In older people, the nerve can become compressed due to normal degenerative changes or arthritis that occur with aging.

Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy

• The main symptom is pain that spreads to the neck, chest, shoulders, and arms .
• You may feel numbness or tingling in your hands or fingers.
• You may feel muscle weakness in your hand.
• Some people may experience a loss of balance and coordination , especially in the hands.

Treatment for Cervical Radiculopathy

Painkillers and physical therapy are the primary treatments for this. Physical therapy involves gentle cervical traction, exercises, and other methods to help reduce pain. Your doctor may also recommend steroid injections or an epidural.

Back Pain, Spine, Spondylolisthesis, Cervical Radiculopathy, Back Pain, Physical Therapy, Nerve Compression