Is a real pain in the back.
About 80% of Americans will suffer back pain at some point in their lives – and for about 16 million of those adults, the issue is chronic and without light ending.
While it is extremely common, back pain is extremely difficult to treat because “can be caused by multiple overlap factors that cannot always be visualized in a scan,” Dr. Patricia Zheng, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist for Medical Xpress.
Some common causes of back pain include muscle strain, hernia discs, sprains, arthritis, poor behavior, overweight, lack of exercise and even stress.
But, according to Zheng, one of the most bypassed causes of chronic back pain is not physical at all – is psychological.
“In a 2024 study, we identified smoking, alcohol, overweight, sleep disturbance and depression as risk factors for chronic back pain,” she told Outlet.
“I think some patients are surprised that depression, which may be accompanied by sleep disturbances, is associated with back pain.”
Depression can often make the pain feel heavier, which is why it recommends seeing a therapist or taking antidepressants for patients who feel constantly down.
“Studies show that neurotransmitters who play a role in depression and anxiety are also involved in the way we process the pain, so taking an antidepressant can get wet the overestimation of the nervous system to pain,” she said.
A recent study found that only one of the 10 treatments to be effective in relieving back pain, so the condition often has to be treated in a variety of ways.
First, Zheng recommends practicing – but not too hard, as research has shown that they can actually make things worse.
“I can’t emphasize how important it is to stay active,” she said, adding that she personally revolves between pilates, aerobics and light weighting five days a week.
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When you are in the office, she suggests keeping good behavior and getting up from your desk once a hour to move “because prolonged landing is pressured on the spinal discs.”
How about those fashion desks on foot? Some studies show that they can help relieve back pain, but there is more science after simply going for a walk.
In fact, a recent Norwegian study showed that walking 100 minutes a day was associated with a 23% lower risk of chronic back pain.
If your back pain is due to an injury, Zheng emphasizes the importance of facilitating returning to the activity.
“The problem is, if you don’t move, you deconditionalize,” she told Outlet.
“It can make you more sensitive to future damage.”
In some extreme cases, minimum invasive surgeries or steroid injections may be recommended.
Meanwhile, some people have successfully relieved back pain by following an anti-inflammatory diet, which means eliminating things like sugar, red meat and alcohol.
Although Zheng himself is not a stranger to temptation.
“I try to eat a balanced diet, but for me personally, I love sweets,” she said.
“I will not switch to dessert!”
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Image Source : nypost.com