Chronic Back Pain
Back pain affects many people in different ways. The pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that leaves you incapacitated. It can come on suddenly - from an accident, a fall or lifting something too heavy - or it can develop slowly, perhaps as the result of age-related changes to the spine. Whatever the cause, back pain lasting for more than three months is known as chronic back pain.
What causes back pain?
Back pain is a symptom of a medical condition, not a diagnosis itself. Some of the more common conditions and risk factors that can lead to back pain include:
- Mechanical problems
- Injuries
- Acquired conditions and diseases
- Age greater than 55 years
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Emotional stress
Some statistics about back pain:
- A common type of chronic pain in the United States is low back pain; which has been reported to affect 59% of adults during their life.
- An estimated 4 out of 5 Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives.
- The first episode of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 40, as stated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
How is chronic back pain treated?
In most cases, back pain does not require surgery. Doctors will almost always try nonsurgical treatments before recommending surgery. Here are some of the most common nonoperative chronic back pain treatments:
- Hot or cold packs
- Exercise
- Medication
- Injections
- Behavioral modification
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation)
- Acupuncture
If you think you may suffer from chronic back pain, create a Pain Profile to take to your doctor – and ask if ULTRAM® ER is right for you.
