The Pain Scale of Back Pain

Today, it seems like just about everyone succumbs to chronic back pain at some point in their life. Whether it’s tightness in your lower back, sharp pain that shoots down your spine, or something else entirely, the spine is a vulnerable component of the human anatomy that undergoes significant wear and tear as the years go by. Fortunately, innovations in the medical industry have led to a broad range of solutions for those suffering from back pain. As one Buddhist proverb states: “Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”

In other words, those who suffer from back pain have the choice to fight back against that which limits them from getting the most out of life. Regardless of where your pain falls on the pain scale of back pain, you can find relief by seeking help from Florida Surgery Consultants. Our neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons are dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care to our patients who suffer from chronic pain and other injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders of the brain and spinal cord.

When Should You See a Doctor for Your Back Pain?

Although every person’s back pain is unique, you should always seek medical help when your back pain is persistent, long-lasting, or limits your ability to take part in your normal, day-to-day routine. Common signs and symptoms of back pain include muscle aches, shooting or stabbing pain, pain that travels down your leg, pain that increases in severity when taking part in activities like bending, lifting, standing, or walking, and pain that becomes less intense when positioning the body in a reclining position.

In some cases, back pain can improve on its own over time with the assistance of home treatments and effective self-care. If this doesn’t work, and your back pain continues for weeks or months, your back pain may be indicative of a more serious underlying problem.

For some, back pain may be linked to a more serious condition. If your back pain is affecting your bowel or bladder, is accompanied by fever, or is the result of a recent fall- or impact-related injury, you should seek medical attention immediately. The same principle applies to those whose back pain is severe and unaffected by rest, extends down on or both legs (especially for pain that reaches past the knee), causes debilitating weakness or numbness, or is accompanied by sudden and unintentional weight loss.

Lastly, it’s important to consult a doctor about your back pain once you’ve crossed the 50-year threshold, especially if you have dealt with cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or substance abuse in the past.

What Can Cause Back Pain?

There are two types of back pain: acute pain, which occurs suddenly and lasts six weeks or fewer, and chronic pain, which typically lasts more than three months. Chronic pain is less common than acute pain, but often requires a more extensive treatment to correct. Back pain can develop for any number of reasons, and it’s up to your medical provider to identify the source of your pain and develop a treatment plan that capably treats your condition. Generally, back pain is caused by one of the following conditions:

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis commonly targets the lower back. Advanced cases can lead to a condition called spinal stenosis that often requires surgery to correct.

Bulging or Ruptured Disc

Disks are located between the bones of the spine (or vertebrae). They act as shock absorbers and promote flexibility and mobility. Within each disk is a soft, gel-like substance that can protrude through damaged portions of the outer disk during the course of normal spinal degeneration. A ruptured or bulging disc can lead to severe pain along the affected portion of the spine.

Muscle or Ligament Strain 

When an individual lifts a heavy object beyond their capacity or attempts to jerk their body in an awkward way, it can have a degenerative effect on the muscles of the back and spinal ligaments. When this pain isn’t given the proper time to heal, it can lead to a progressive condition.

Osteoporosis

Compression fracture resulting from porous and brittle bones can lead to significant back pain.

Skeletal irregularities

Irregular curvature of the spine (scoliosis) is another cause of back pain that may require surgical treatment to fully correct.

Are There Factors That Put You At Greater Risk?

From kids to adults, virtually anyone can experience back pain given the right circumstances. That said, there are many risk factors that increase an individual’s chance of experiencing back pain, including:

Age 

As you get older your spine naturally degenerates, resulting in a greater chance of back pain. Most people notice their back pain for the first time during their 30s or 40s.

Diseases

There are several types of arthritis and cancer that cause back pain.

Excess Weight 

Heavier bodies put extra strain on the back.

Improper Lifting 

Lift with your legs! If you don’t, you could injure your back. Improper lifting often results in acute pain, but a serious strain or tear could have long-term implications.

Idle Lifestyle

Muscles in the back become weak over time for those with a sedentary lifestyle. The more you exercise, the stronger these muscles will be as your spinal health starts to deteriorate.

Psychological Conditions

Individuals with depression and anxiety appear to be more vulnerable to back pain.

Smoking

Nutrients are carried to the disks in your back via the bloodstream. Since, smoking restricts blood flow to the lower spine, these nutrients can’t reach their destination, resulting in damage to the spine. Smoking also inhibits your body’s natural healing functions.

How Is Chronic Back Pain Diagnosed?

Your medical provider will perform a thorough examination of your back by checking your ability to sit, stand, walk, and life your legs, among other movements and exercises. Typically, you will be asked to “rate” your pain using a simple 0-10 scale or similar system. Answer all of the questions your doctor asks and inform them about how your pain has limited your ability to live a normal life. The purpose of these assessments is to trace your pain back to the source and gauge the severity of your condition. For some, these simple assessments may be sufficient to unearth the root of your pain, assuming your condition doesn’t indicate that a more specific testing procedure be used to gain accurate information about your pain:

X-ray

Show the alignment of your bones and indicates whether or not signs of arthritis or broken bones are present. X-rays cannot be used to identify issues with the spinal cord, muscles, nerves, or disks.

MRI or CT scans

Creates images that can be used to identify herniated disks or other issues with bones, muscles, tissues, tendons, nerves, ligaments, and blood vessels.

Blood Tests

Tests for infections and other conditions that cause pain.

Bone Scans

A rare procedure utilized to find bone tumors and compression fractures.

Nerve Studies 

Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical impulses of the nerves as well as your muscles’ response. This test can be used to determine whether or not an individual is suffering from spinal stenosis.

The Pain Scale For The Lower Back Explained

Individuals dealing with acute or chronic back pain must be able to accurately describe their pain to their medical provider if they want to undergo the proper treatment for their condition. Lower back pain can be evaluated on a scale from 0-10. With 0 representing “no pain,” and 10 representing “debilitating pain.” Let’s break it down below:

0: No Pain

No complaints here. Life is nice without back pain!

1: Faint Pain

Your mobility and way of life are unaffected. You might feel sore occasionally but nothing worth seeking medical attention for.

2: Mild Pain

You acknowledge your pain but are unbothered by it. You simply ignore it and proceed with your daily routine.

3: Moderate Pain 

Your pain is uncomfortable, perhaps annoying, but you stop noticing it when distracted and have yet to notice a dip in your quality of life.

4: Uncomfortable Pain 

Now you’ve got a problem. Your pain is throbbing and you can no longer turn a blind eye and forget about it. This pain may begin to spread to your hips, arms, legs, and other parts of your body.

5: Distracting Pain

You can’t stop thinking about the deep, penetrating pain that has started to take a toll on you both mentally and physically.

6: Distressing Pain

Your back pain has waged war on your psyche. You begin to doubt your ability to recover naturally and decide that you’re overdue for medical attention.

7: Unmanageable Pain 

Pain radiates through the affected portion of your spine and your every thought is clouded by anguish. Your most important obligations are affected, including school, work, and family. Prescription drugs may be needed to provide relief, and surgical options may be considered.

8: Intense Pain 

Between the shooting pain, numbness, and tingling, it’s hard to focus on anything but your pain. Extreme discomfort has become the norm, but there’s nothing normal about your condition. It’s time to seek help.

9: Severe Pain 

Your pain has officially reached the point where hospitalization may be necessary. Severe pain will cause an individual to seek stronger medications and emergency intervention to help combat the pain.

10: Debilitating Pain 

When pain is so intense that the person experiencing the pain goes unconscious, it’s time for emergency treatment. This is often the result of a dire accident.

Getting The Right Treatment For Your Back Pain 

Understanding your back pain is important if you want to get the proper treatment for your particular condition. Be clear with your medical provider when describing your back pain, and don’t be afraid to use the pain scale of back pain to get more specific. A simple abrasion of the back and a bulging disc can both cause back pain, but the severity of these two conditions is drastically different.

When surgery is required to correct injuries, diseases, and congenital disorders of the brain and spinal cord, count on a team of neurosurgeons and osteopathic surgeons with a track record of success to provide you with top-flight treatment you deserve. Consult Florida Surgery Consultants to experience how a board-certified neurosurgeon can eliminate your pain and help you live a happier, fuller life.