| Questions
and Answers: Proper Diagnosis and Treatment of Back Pain |
Each case of back pain requires a proper diagnosis and is paramount in determining the best course of treatment.
|
| Proper Diagnosis and Treatment of Back Pain |
| |
| Q: |
Can excess weight cause back pain? |
| A: |
Severe obesity damages the body in many ways. Obesity adversely effects the mechanical, metabolic and physiological bodily functions. These "co-morbidities" affect nearly every organ in the body in some way, and produce serious secondary illnesses, which may also be life-threatening. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure are commonly known to be co-morbidities of obesity and morbid obesity. The cumulative effect of these co-morbidities can interfere with a normal and productive life, cause endless frustration, and can seriously shorten life as well.
What many people don't realize is that obesity is a contributing factor to back pain. The spine is designed to carry the entire weight of the upper body and distribute the loads encountered throughout your life. When excess weight is carried, the spine is forced to assimilate the burden, the consequence is that the spine can prematurely wear out.
The entire weight of the upper body falls on the base of the spine. Lack of exercise and bodily conditioning leads to poor flexibility and weak muscles in the back, pelvis, and thighs. This can increase the curve of the lower back causing the pelvis to tilt too far forward. Further, this is detrimental to proper posture and as posture weakens, other regions of the spine (neck) may become painful. The three most common back problems associated with muscle imbalances and excessive mechanical loads, are degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis (slippage of the lower back disc), and disc rupture or herniation. Obesity can also significantly contribute to symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD), osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
If you are overweight, or morbidly obese, and have tried dieting and exercise but still want to lose weight, there are many tools available to help you accomplish your goals. We do not recommend or endorse any specific tools,
products, or procedures to aid you in your weight loss efforts but we do recommend you educate your self and explore your options for attaining a healthy body weight. Here are some links to get you started:
|
| Q: |
What are some of the common causes of back
pain? |
| A: |
Back pain is usually caused by poor posture, lack of physical
fitness, poor work habits, obesity, or poor sleeping habits.
Another frequent cause is injury during physical labor, exercise,
motor vehicle accidents, and sports activities. Rarer causes
include chronic conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis,
infection, and tumor. In many instances, multiple causes exist.
Although it may have started as a result of one cause, others
aggravated and often complicated back pain.
Back pain is commonly the result of damage to the back muscles,
ligaments attached to the spine or to the spinal discs. Spinal
discs are jelly-like cushions between the vertebrae that acts
as shock absorbers. |
Q: |
What can patients do to assure proper treatment for their
back? |
| A: |
The first thing a patient can do is to get a proper diagnosis.
It is best to get diagnosed by a physician who specializes in
back problems. If in doubt get a second opinion. Often the patient
is diagnosed by one physician, provided conservative treatment
by another and operated on by a third. It is best if all can
be done at the same facility.
Once diagnosis is complete, the patient should make sure he
or she understands the problem, why a particular treatment
is best, what does it involve and what the expected outcome
is. The patient should make an informed decision at all times.
If surgery is required, the patient should choose an appropriate
hospital or facility has a rehabilitation program to help you
recover quicker and stronger, and a program that teaches proper
back care to avoid injuries. |
Q: |
What treatments are available for back problems? |
| A: |
Treatment for back pain depends on its causes and severity.
It usually begins with rest to allow inflamed or injured tissues
to heal. A brace may be required to provide support for the
injured back. As the healing completes, a prescribed program
of corrective and strengthening low back exercise should be implemented.
Some may initially require periodic physical therapy to learn
and practice the exercises. People with poor physical fitness
are encouraged to exercise regularly and maintain a healthy
body. For the overweight patients, losing pounds should be part
of the treatment. For those with chronic back pain where conservative
therapy or surgery is not applicable, pain management is an
option. Surgery is recommended only for cases where conservative
therapy has failed and surgery offers a beneficial outcome. |
Q: |
When does surgery become an option for treating back pain? |
| A: |
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,
less than one in ten persons with back pain will require surgery.
Back pain is usually successfully treated with medication and
exercise therapy. Surgical intervention is an option for disc
conditions that does not respond to other methods of treatment.
Several forms of surgery exist, including enzyme injection to
dissolve soft disc parts and traditional surgery to remove ruptured
disc parts. The enzyme injection has potential for serious side
effects. A more recent microsurgery technique offers several
advantages, including negligible recurrence. In the case of
spinal instabilities, a bone fusion may be advisable in which
two vertebrae are fused together for greater stability. |
|
 |
|
|
Look for the book to access our animated conditions, procedures, and anatomy via our patient education system!