If you work in an office, chances are you'll experience chronic back pain at some point due to sitting hours on end at your desk.
Unfortunately, this type of persistent back pain can become a real burden on your life, impacting your ability to do the things you love and disrupting sleep quality. These warning signs should not be ignored.
Chronic back pain is a long-lasting
Chronic back pain is a long-lasting and often debilitating condition that can significantly limit a person's activities and quality of life. It is more common than any other pain type and affects up to 80% of adults at some point in their lives.
Usually, chronic back pain develops due to an underlying musculoskeletal issue or injury, such as poor posture, muscle strain, osteoporosis, or repetitive motions. Generally speaking, the longer pain persists untreated or mismanaged, the more severe it may become resulting in deeper medical interventions like surgery.
Because early detection and treatment are critical for successful management of chronic back pain, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms that could indicate a problem.
Symptoms may include aching or stiffness
Chronic back pain can often be debilitating, but recognizing its symptoms is key to obtaining the right help. Symptoms may include aching or stiffness of the lower back which makes it hard to move around; sharp or shooting pains in the lower back when standing or walking; and a deep soreness that won't go away with rest or physical therapy.
It can also cause numbness of certain parts of the body, such as one's legs, feet, and buttocks. If you are experiencing any of these signs for more than three months then it is time to seek medical attention from your doctor to determine whether it is chronic back pain or not.
Treating chronic pain can bring relief from distress and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from it.
Chronic back pain affects your life socially, emotionally, and physically
Chronic back pain can be debilitating, often leading to restriction of activities, reduced mobility, and disruption of 'normal' daily living.
Socially, it can limit participation in physical activities with family and friends, as those dealing with the pain may not have the energy or capacity to do so.
Emotionally, the constant pain can result in frustration and emotional isolation. More seriously, depression, anxiety and anger can all arise when living with chronic back pain due to feelings of helplessness and lack of control.
Physically, it is no surprise that chronic back pain directly impacts one’s ability to perform normal everyday activities such as driving or house work.
Depending on the severity of one’s back pain symptoms, some movements may become difficult or even impossible at times leading to fear of the future and how far the medical condition will progress.
4. What are some of the best ways to manage chronic back pain effectively?
Chronic back pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities, so it's important to find ways to effectively manage it. Start by practicing good posture, avoiding activities that strain the back, and exercising regularly. Physical therapy and chiropractic treatments can also help to reduce the intensity of chronic back pain.
Additionally, heat and cold therapy combined with stretching can alleviate acute discomfort. To further reduce the severity of your pain, try incorporating natural remedies like turmeric or ginger in your diet as well as relaxation techniques like yoga, mindfulness meditation or breathwork.
Taking a holistic approach to treating chronic back pain should result in improved overall health and less frequent painful episodes.
Prevent chronic back pain
Chronic back pain can be a difficult thing to live with, but it doesn't have to take over your life. Taking steps like getting regular exercise, managing stress levels, and making lifestyle changes to improve posture and ergonomics can all aid in reducing the symptoms of chronic back pain.
Additionally, conditions like osteoporosis and herniated discs may require medical intervention, so seeing a doctor if your back pain persists is important.
Last but not least, utilising relaxation techniques such as yoga and mindfulness meditation can help alleviate muscle tension that contributes to chronic back pain and promote overall physical wellbeing, whilst the benefits of breathwork include controlling stress and releasing trauma. Taking these proactive measures can help ensure that chronic back pain won't ruin your quality of life.
