4 Commonly Asked Questions About Back Pain, Answered

Suffering from an aching back? You’re not alone.

In fact, back pain is one of the most reported ailments by adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a quarter of adults ages 18-29 suffer from back pain. And those numbers go up with age, with a whopping 45.6% of those 65 and over suffering from this all-too-common ailment.

Acute and chronic pain can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life, sometimes even making it difficult to get through the day. What’s more, back pain has been linked to opioid dependence, anxiety and depression, and poor perceived health or reduced quality of life.

Sound familiar? Read on to see Dr. Justin Faye’s answers to some commonly asked questions about back pain.

What causes back pain?

General back pain can be caused by a number of factors. The most common cause is age. As we grow older, the cartilage that cushions our joints wears away. This loads pressure onto our joints, often resulting in pain and inflammation. It’s also possible for our everyday jobs to contribute to back pain. The CDC found that of all workers with back pain, 20% were told by a health professional that their pain was work-related. Highly active jobs put more strain on the back and leave a person more vulnerable to injury. More sedentary occupations (like desk jobs) can also cause issues due to constant sitting or slouching throughout the day.

Back pain can also result from a range of more serious issues, including ruptured or slipped discs or injuries from falls or accidents. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, and spinal stenosis all can cause back pain. Repeatedly lifting heavy items, bending or stretching the wrong way, as well as being sedentary and/or overweight are also causes.

Are there different kinds of back pain?

There are, and it differs from person to person. Typically, we classify types of back pain under these categories: acute, subacute, and chronic.

• Acute back pain usually lasts less than four weeks.

• Subacute back pain can last anywhere from four to 12 weeks.

• Chronic back pain lasts longer than 12 weeks.

What causes back pain?

General back pain can be caused by a number of factors. The most common cause is age. As we grow older, the cartilage that cushions our joints wears away. This loads pressure onto our joints, often resulting in pain and inflammation. It’s also possible for our everyday jobs to contribute to back pain. The CDC found that of all workers with back pain, 20% were told by a health professional that their pain was work-related. Highly active jobs put more strain on the back and leave a person more vulnerable to injury. More sedentary occupations (like desk jobs) can also cause issues due to constant sitting or slouching throughout the day.

Back pain can also result from a range of more serious issues, including ruptured or slipped discs or injuries from falls or accidents. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, and spinal stenosis all can cause back pain. Repeatedly lifting heavy items, bending or stretching the wrong way, as well as being sedentary and/or overweight are also causes.

How is back pain treated?

The type and severity of back pain will inform what treatments to consider. For at-home treatment, acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen can help, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A hot compress to alleviate aches or spasms and cold packs to reduce swelling can also offer relief.

It’s smart to try and adjust daily habits first. Start with getting sufficient sleep, quit smoking, and incorporate light activity. If you’re overweight, consider adopting a healthier, more active routine – being overweight can make back pain worse. A little effort can go a long way.

Dr. Justin Faye Pain Medicine

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: Schedule online at sthsclinics.com or call 956-731-0504

Dr. Faye specializes in advanced pain management techniques and strategies. He earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada. He then completed his general surgery internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at One Brooklyn Health System in Brooklyn, New York, and his pain medicine fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Faye is a member of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

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