He backache It is one of the most frequent discomforts of adult life. Long days in front of screens, hours at the desk and daily tasks impose a constant demand on the backbonewhich transforms discomfort into a repeated and daily experience for millions of people.
A recent report from the specialized publication Men’s Health warned that the lumbar structure has an evolutionary disadvantage. Ameet Nagpalchief of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Medical University of South Carolina, explained: “Evolutionarily, we are one step away from being four-legged animals”.
This statement summarizes an anatomical reality: the lower back did not adapt quickly enough to an upright posture or prolonged sedentary lifestyle. It is estimated that about 60% of adults experience low back pain at some point in your life.
The spine protects the spinal cord and holds the body upright. It is made up of vertebrae, cartilaginous discs and a network of muscles and nerves. When one of these components loses stability or is overloaded, pain appears..
Today’s lifestyle increases the pressure on the lumbar region: Sitting for long hours weakens the supporting muscles. In turn, certain combined movements, such as bending, lifting, and twisting at the same time, place significant stress on the lower back segments. Spine specialists consider this sequence to be one of the riskiest in the daily routine.
The main strategy to reduce risk is strengthen stabilizer muscles. Regular exercise not only improves the resistance of the deep muscles, it also produces a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect.
Recommended practices include basic movements such as bird-dog and the dead bugaimed at reinforcing spinal support without overloading the lumbar area. Additionally, reducing body weight in overweight people decreases mechanical pressure on the spine.
Consistency in physical activity is essential for prevention. Even simple routines, sustained over time, provide stability and reduce episodes of rigidity.
When the discomfort appears, the pharmacological treatment It is one of the first options. The report rules out the use of opioids as a main alternative.
The Dr. Stephanie Vanwho specializes in interventional pain and musculoskeletal medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said these medications only offer temporary relief. Furthermore, he stressed that these drugs do not act primarily as anti-inflammatory and presents risk of addiction.
Instead, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended such as ibuprofen or naproxenin addition to topical gels with diclofenac. For pain of nervous origin, lidocaine cream It is used as a local anesthetic.
In specific conditions, the doctor may indicate muscle relaxants or medications that target the nervous system, such as gabapentin or pregabalin.
The trigger point injections They represent another therapeutic tool. These applications combine anesthetics or anti-inflammatories to relax tense muscles and cut the cycle of pain for several weeks. The procedure requires prior medical evaluation.
In situations of radiating or persistent pain, spinal injections are used. The epidural steroids can provide relief for about three months in cases of nervous compromise.
For discomfort linked to the intervertebral joints, facet blocks immobilize the nerves responsible for the pain. If the answer is favorable, the radiofrequency ablation prolongs the effect for six months or more.
The medical classification distinguishes three large categories, each with its own characteristics.
It arises when the muscles that connect the spine with the rest of the skeleton are weak, imbalanced or overloaded. It manifests with stiffness, tenderness, and sometimes spasms. Intense activities carried out without adequate preparation usually trigger it.
It is perceived on a deeper level and tends to intensify after spending a long time in the same position. The most common cause is osteoarthritis, linked to the wear of the cartilage between vertebrae.. The loss of cushioning alters mobility and generates inflammation.
It appears when a structure, such as a herniated disc, exerts pressure on a nerve. Dr. Van explained that it feels “like a burning sensation or electrical tingling.” When this table is accompanied by numbness, weakness in the legs or incontinence, urgent medical attention required to avoid permanent damage.
Surgical intervention is rare within the overall treatment. Frank Cammisaspine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, an international reference in orthopedics, said in a conversation with Men’s Health that in the past surgery was probably indicated excessively. Currently, about 10% of people with back pain need this resource.
The appearance of the diagnostic images does not always coincide with the intensity of the symptoms. There are patients with bulging discs without pain and others with less striking studies who report persistent discomfort. The comprehensive clinical evaluation guides the therapeutic decision and determines when surgery is necessary.
