While back pain is a constant companion as you grow older, it is quite popular in younger people too. This is usually because of the kind of workload they are forced to take in the name of education. The term ‘cure’ for back pain is very misleading because it is not a disease that can be cured. Instead, it is the symptom of a disease that needs to be taken care of and brought under control.
This being said, you must know that all types of back pain are not the same and cannot be made better with the help of the same kind of treatment. A skilled physiotherapist would examine your muscles and back, and prescribe the right treatment for you. Thus, you should choose your physiotherapist after thorough research.
This article ventures to make you acquainted with the 5 most frustrating types of back pain.
Flexion Dominant Back Pain
This type of pain is usually diagnosed when the disc has suffered any injury but not always. There are a few common symptoms for diagnosing.
The pain is made worse when the spine is bent for any kind of activity but gives relief while standing or walking. There also may be a sensation of tingling or numbness. One of its conditions is called sciatica. The question is, how long does sciatica take to heal? It can be treated with the help of stretching exercises which fastens the process of healing.
Extension Dominant Back Pain
This type of back pain is often caused due to some problem in the joints of the spine. The common symptom of pain is felt while standing or walking, while temporary relief can be experienced if the body is in a bent position.
Unidirectional stiffness of the back is another common symptom of back pain. Treatment includes exercises and correction of posture to make sure that too much pressure is not exerted on the lower back.
Neurogenic Claudication
This is a special type of extension dominant back pain that is mostly observed in individuals above the age of 60. There are almost no symptoms while the patient is sitting, but the pain starts to increase while doing any activity that includes movement of the lower body.
Often patients suffering from neurogenic claudication are seen walking around with support, for example, a walking stick. The treatment includes flexion-based stretches and reducing the walking distance.
Inflammatory Back Pain
As obvious from the name, this type of back pain is when there is an inflammation in the spinal joints. It gives rise to a condition, popularly known as spondylitis, which is usually seen among people under 35 years of age.
The symptoms include acute back pain at night and early in the morning. The treatment includes adopting a proper posture and to refrain from activities that lay any kind of stress on the spine.
Chronic Pain Disorders
When the brain interprets a signal which is not harmful as dangerous, it gives rise to chronic pain disorders which may also include back pains. While the sensation of pain is common, the other symptoms may vary from person to person.
There is no specific treatment for chronic disorders. A trained physiotherapist needs to experiment with different technique combinations to find out what is best suited for the patient.