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How is Chronic Back Pain Diagnosed

Chronic Back Pain: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments

QI Spine Clinic, 4 years ago

Chronic back pain is the pain that persists for more than 12 weeks.

CHRONIC BACK PAIN SYMPTOMS

Backache can range from a muscle aching to shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation. The pain might radiate down your leg or worsen with movements like bending, twisting, lifting, walking, or standing. The back pain is considered chronic if it lasts for more than 12 weeks.   People who suffer from back pain experience any combination of the following symptoms:
  • Pain could be constant or could occur at irregular intervals.
  • Soreness when the affected area is touched.
  • Difficulty in performing routine activities like bending, standing, or walking due to pain.
  • The pain is localized or radiates to the legs, passing through the buttocks and thighs.
  • Pain in the leg or foot that radiates.
  • Pain only on one side of the buttock or leg.
  • Tingling or numbness in the lower body or limbs.
  • Difficulty in controlling functions of bowel and bladder
 

CHRONIC BACK PAIN CAUSES

Back pain often occurs without any specific cause that can be identified. However, many conditions are linked to back pain causes which are mentioned below:
  • Occupational strain: This involves excessive bending and lifting weights, twisting or driving.
  • Lifestyle issues: This happens when the patient leads a sedentary lifestyle, gains weight and does not exercise.
  • Physical causes: Osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, fracture, injury, tumour or infection in the spine (rare condition)
  • Age factors: The pain is caused by osteoporosis, disc and joint degeneration, and soft tissue strain.
  • Medical conditions: Back pain is common in the case of pregnancy or obesity.
 

CHRONIC BACK PAIN DIAGNOSIS

Your physician will check your past medical records and examine your back. Your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift your legs will be assessed.    If needed, you may be asked to get a few imaging tests like x-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. You may also be asked to do blood tests, bone scan and nerve studies.

HOW QI DIAGNOSES CHRONIC BACK PAIN?

Accurate diagnosis is essential to a proper back pain treatment program. As the doctors in Qi Spine are trained for several hours in spine conditions alone; they have the expertise to diagnose the cause of back pain accurately. A detailed medical analysis is carried out including pain history, your range of motion, and testing of nerves and muscles.  

CHRONIC BACK PAIN TREATMENT

Chronic back pain treatment options include –
  • Over-the-counter medications
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Physical therapy
  • Injections

HOW QI TREATS CHRONIC BACK PAIN?

A more holistic and long-lasting approach for chronic back pain treatment involves spine rehabilitation using:
  • Isolation Treatment with device-based therapy: The weak muscles and tissues are identified and treated in isolation. They are strengthened and degeneration is arrested.
  • Self-Care Exercise & Physical therapy: Exercises that strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, increases your flexibility should be practiced regularly. Other activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc can be done after consulting your doctor. 
  • Posture correction or posture improvement is a vital step for back pain treatment.
  • Lifestyle changes such as engaging in physical activities, postural breaks, ergonomics correction
 

WHEN TO SEE A SPINE SPECIALIST?

Consult a spine specialist immediately if you feel the symptoms don’t improve or worsens.

Visit our nearest clinic for your first consultation

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