5 of the Most Common Back Conditions and How to Treat Them

Dealing with back pain is not only uncomfortable, but it can also interfere with your quality of life and ability to do the things you want to. There are a number of different bank conditions that you could be suffering from, so it’s important to understand what they are and how to treat them.

Read on to learn more about five of the most common back-related problems and how to treat them for effective relief.

5 Back Conditions: 

1. Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve in the spine is highly painful and can cause discomfort along with numbness or weakness in your leg. Pinched nerves are most common in the lower back or neck and can be a result of an injury or disease. To treat this back condition, surgery is usually a recommendation along with physical therapy, medication, and steroid injections for some patients.

2. Spinal Stenosis

One of the most common back conditions in older people is spinal stenosis. This is when the spinal canal narrows and putts pressure on the nerves. Spinal stenosis causes pain, weakness, and numbness and can happen to anyone as they age. To treat this condition, activity modification, weight control, and regular exercise are some recommendations.

3. Degenerative Disc Disease

The discs between the bones of your spine can start to shrink as you age, causing degenerative disc disease. The severity can range from mild to severe and results in stiffness and extreme pain that can worsen over time.

A combination of physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and anti-inflammatory drugs help treat this common back condition. Surgery may be required in more extreme cases.

4. General Neck and Back Pain

Sometimes you may just be dealing with a general feeling of pain in the lower back and neck area. This can be caused by all kinds of things including poor posture, stress, and being overweight. Improving your posture, losing weight, and practicing daily stretches can help reduce general back pain for many patients.

5. Herniated Disc

A herniated disc occurs when a ruptured spinal disc puts pressure on your nerves or spinal cord resulting in severe pain, numbness, and weakness. You could also experience neurological dysfunction if the herniated disc is left untreated. Physical therapy and medications can manage the pain, but surgery is recommended to fully correct a herniated disc.

Help is Available for Common Back Conditions

Even if you’re feeling pain in your back or neck, there is help available for these and other back conditions. Never ignore back pain since it can easily get worse over time if left untreated.

Talk to a professional about your back pain and get a correct diagnosis before you begin any form of treatment. Once you pinpoint the cause and the right problem, you can take steps to get it corrected for a pain-free life.

If you’re looking for a professional team who can help you with your back and spine problems, visit our website and contact us today for an appointment.