What's causing your back pain?

By Tomlin Paul

In the 2012 Olympics men's 200m final, Usain Bolt said, "I knew it was going to be a world record because when I came off the corner, I could feel it." But he said he felt a strain on his back and so he had to change his form.

I have a similar recollection in 2001 in the parents' race at McCam's Child Development Centre. I am sure it would have been a record for the school that day, had I not felt a sudden pain in my back!

Next patient!

It is very likely that my next patient may be complaining of back pain given the common occurrence of this problem. There are many different causes of such pain.

Think about the key structures that make up the back: muscles, ligaments, bones, discs and nerves. Injury or strain to any of these can cause pain. I have heard this many times: "Just as I slowed down to stop at the traffic light, I heard this bang and then felt my car jolting forward. My back hasn't stopped hurting since." A very clear cause!

Have a look at yourself

Not all causes of back pain occur suddenly or are very obvious. I suspect that if you videotaped your daily activities and looked closely, you may find some factors that could be bringing on your pain. How you sit, stand and hold your body, your movements and posture are all worth a look. Other things such as how you lift, what shoes you wear, and the quality of your mattress would also be in the picture. If you are overweight, you are more prone to lower back ache.

So apart from just thinking about sudden injury, the work or the functioning of your back as a whole is important. In the later years, as degeneration of the spinal structures (bones and discs) takes place with possible nerve compression, back pain also becomes more common.

Unwanted intruders

Pain can come to our backs from other areas of the body. Problems with the organs such as the stomach, liver, kidneys, prostate, womb and aorta, for example, can lead to back pain. Malignancies such as breast and lung cancer and blood disorders can also be in the background as causes. Even mental intruders such as depression can cause back pain.

Don't live with it!

You have rested and tried home remedies, a week has gone and the pain persists! Frustration and low productivity can easily set in. You must take action to find and treat the underlying cause for your back pain.

Your doctor, after doing a physical examination, might send you for tests such as X-rays, CT-scans or MRIs and, where necessary, urine and blood tests. Treatment will depend on the cause and may involve a mix of rest, medications and physical therapy. You may also be referred to specialists for further checks and special treatments. Overall, improving your physical condition and learning and practising proper body mechanics can go a long way to prevent back pain.

Dr Tomlin Paul is a family physician at Health Plus Associates in Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.