Back pain

Back pain is the most common complaint among the population. 80 percent of Germans suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. The reason: the spine also ages.

Causes of back pain

The most common causes of back pain include strained and cramped muscles. With age, the intervertebral discs lose their elasticity and the spine thus loses stability. The muscles of the back try to hold the spine in place. However, if the muscles are not strong enough, they cramp in this attempt and muscular hardening occurs.

It becomes more serious if there is a fresh herniated disc and the core of the disc that has come out presses on the nerve roots or on the spinal cord. The nerves are then severely irritated and inflamed. In this case, a doctor should definitely be consulted.

Symptoms: What are the different types of back pain?

The muscular hardening causes back pain or neck pain. As a result, it is not uncommon for tension headaches to occur as well. Depending on the cause, however, the symptoms can also manifest themselves differently. In medicine, a distinction is made between specific (there is a specific cause) and non-specific back pain, as well as between acute, subacute and chronic. If the back pain lasts longer than six to twelve weeks, it is chronic.

Typical symptoms of a fresh herniated disc are burning persistent pain, tingling, numbness and even paralysis.

Diagnosis: What is the cause of back pain?

The first clues to the clinical picture are already given to the experienced back specialists by the patient's posture and gait. They localize the pain and determine the trigger. In addition, they check to what extent abnormalities or pain points exist and check the range of motion of the spine.

Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Aging of the spine can be seen on x-ray by bone reactions. Bony support reactions cause the spine to stabilize on its own. The expression of the support reaction is largely genetically determined.

Therapy: How is back pain treated?

Depending on the cause and symptoms, back pain can be treated in different ways. Conservative options range from physiotherapeutic treatments and osteopathic techniques to special injection procedures. An inflamed nerve, for example, can be treated with a cortisone injection.

In addition, exercising the back muscles is important - even as a preventive measure. This is especially true for people with desk jobs. If the muscles are not subjected to sufficient alternating strain, the muscular blood circulation deteriorates and muscular hardening occurs more quickly.