backache [bak′āk] Etymology: AS, baec + ME, aken
a pain in the lumbar, lumbosacral, or cervical region of the back, varying in sharpness and intensity. Causes may include muscle strain or other muscular disorders or pressure on the root of a nerve, such as the sciatic nerve, caused in turn by a variety of factors, including a herniated vertebral disk. Treatment may include heat, ultrasound, and devices to provide support for the affected area while the individual is in bed or standing or sitting, bed rest, surgical intervention, and medications to relieve pain and relax spasm of the muscle of the affected area.
backache [
bak´āk″]
any pain in the back, usually in the
lumbar or
cervical region; it is often dull and continuous, but sometimes sharp and throbbing. This is the most common cause of disability and time lost from work for people 18 to 65 years old. Between 50 and 80 per cent of individuals will be disabled by back pain, even if only for a short period, at some time during their lives. About 60 per cent of all backache is related to non-sciatic muscle strain and ligament sprain. Approximately 30 per cent of backache can be attributed to the back component of
sciatica, although leg pain is usually a more prominent feature. Roughly 10 per cent of backache can be attributed to other causes, such as urinary tract infection, kidney stones, multiple myeloma, metastatic carcinoma, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis.
A sudden action, using muscles that are already fatigued or out of condition, is particularly likely to cause acute strain. In such cases rest and time usually bring recovery. A very sharp, persistent pain following the use of unusual force against something (for example, trying to open a jammed window) could indicate a herniated intervertebral disk or sacroiliac strain. Night pain or pain that wakes the patient from sleep often points to a diagnosis of infection or tumor.
Treatment. The initial treatment for backache usually is nonoperative.
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and postural rest are the hallmarks of conservative therapy and are based on the principles of reducing inflammation about the spinal nerve or related structures such as the disk or posterior facet joints, and decreasing at least temporarily the tremendous loads borne by the spine. Epidural steroids are helpful in some cases. Surgical treatment is usually a last resort and involves excision of a herniated disk,
laminectomy to allow the surgeon to visualize the area, with fusion to stabilize the spine or some other type of orthopedic surgery, depending on the cause of back pain. Minimally invasive surgical procedures may also be performed.
Chronic backache that does not respond to other modes of treatment sometimes can be relieved by
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and other modalities such as back school, antidepressants, muscle-strengthening exercises, and weight-reduction programs.
Patient discussion about backache. Q. I have been suffering from back pain for the past two months. I have tried several treatments. Any ideas? I don't have a history of back pain. I started to experience pain in my shoulders, neck and upper back about two months ago. Prior to the condition I started to work out with a personal trainer, but I felt good for three months, so the doctor and I don't think there is a connection. I tried many types of massages, chiropractic treatment, and Acupunctures. I also went to an orthopedic MD. The doctor prescribed Arxocia for ten days and another round of Arxocia pills . I still have pain in my shoulders and neck. Any ideas what can I do. The doctor says it's nothing serious and that it's called upper back pain and that it will pass with time. Any ideas to ease the pain and treat this?
A. I was at working at a hospital and caught a patient. I had muscle strains and tears. The dr. said that would take 6-8 weeks to heal. After six weeks I still had severe intense pain in neck, shoulders, middle,upper back, and occasional tingling down my right arm. I went to a physical therapist whom tried to help me get through the pain. I was moving along quite nicely, when we decided it was time for me to start lifting weights and getting strenght nack again. My upper back pain sky rocketed! My right arm tinglin got worse, and would turn numb. It then turned blu and purple. I went back to dr. and I ended uo having thoracic outlet syndrome. I had a right rib resection to relieve this. I am 8 weeks post-op and doing great. I am in physical therapy again and have just started lifting weights. My upper back pain and neck pain are very minimal now. I did alot of research on thoracic outlet syndrome. Lots of men get it from body building. The muscles get so tight. you might have it.
Q. I have a low back pain that radiates to my leg when i pick up stuff. Is it a disc herniation? I am a 43 years old bank teller. During the past 5 months I've suffered from a low back pain. The pain is not very strong, but it gets much worse while doing physical activity. When i walk or lift heavy things the pain is even stronger, and it radiates to my left leg. Can it be signs for disc herniation?
A. You can't tell for sure that your symptoms are due to a specific disc pathology.
When i had similar symptoms i went to the GP and he told me to lay down on your back. Then he slowly raised my left leg while the knee is kept in extension.
He said that If raising the leg over 60 degree exacerbates the pain its very likely to be disc herniation. But you should go to your GP and have him examine you.
Q. How can I get my doctor to believe me about my back and neck pain and the numbness in my hand? My doctor referred me to a pain clinic and I waited 2 months for the appointment. So i went to the appointment and the doctor was very short with me and asked me why I was there even though I had just given my complete history to his nurse 5 minutes earlier. i said I wanted to know what was wrong with my back and if it could be fixed. He said we don't do that here and looked at a cat scan of my neck from a year and a half prior and an x ray of my back from 4 months prior. He said there is nothing wrong with me and told me to have a nice day. i asked if he could at least send me for an MRI and he gave me a prescription for one and said his nurse would make the appointment for me. I'm still waiting for the appointment. The other thing is is that I am on medicaid and filed for disability because I can not work. I just can't find a doctor to help me. I'm very frustrated.
A. Since you were hurt in an accident and it could well be the source of your pain and numbness. The initial x-ray right after the accident may appear to be normal but joints that were impacted during the accident could start to shift overtime. You need to talk to your family doctor or see an chiropractor who can send you for a x-ray or MRI. I was in a minor car accident over 10 years ago and the pain and numbness only showed after around 7 years after the accident. I went to the hospital for checkup and x-ray at the time of the accident and everything was normal but then things got worse over time and 7 years later the x-ray showed that a piece of my neck-bone was out of place which pinched on a nerve and caused the numbness on my arms and sometimes I couldn't even use a computer mouse or raise my arm high. Chiropractor couldn't help me, he could only relief the pressure that built up on my neck for a few hours but it returned. I went to see a Chinese doctor, and all he did was phy
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