Back pain is overwhelmingly common in the United States, so common that many may not even bring it up to their doctors. Of the 65 million Americans who have recently experienced back pain, more than a quarter report persistent or chronic pain that limits their daily activities. Since many Brooklynites, especially those residing in south Brooklyn, are less likely to have insurance and a regular provider, it is important to know when it’s urgent to see a spine doctor, and which symptoms may resolve with at-home exercises or stretches.
As a spine surgeon, my job is to help my patients resolve their pain, sometimes through surgery, and sometimes through other methods such as physical therapy. The most important times to see a spine surgeon are when pain starts radiating to the arms and legs, and when one has tried rest and physical therapy and the pain still persists.
In terms of the causes of back pain, these can run the gamut, especially depending on age, occupation, gender and more. Lumbar or cervical disc herniation, which occurs when the gel-like center of a disc in the neck or back pushes through its outer layer and presses on spinal nerves, affects up to 20% of adults ages 30-50, according to the National Institutes of Health. Most herniated discs heal with time, rest and over-the-counter pain medication. The cause is the spine’s natural course of aging, which accounts for its prevalence among adults in this age bracket.
What some may not know is that causes of back pain can originate outside of the neck and back. Back pain can often be traced back to issues in the hips or legs. For women with fibroids, back pain can be a lesser-known symptom. In fact, more than 60% of women with uterine fibroids report back pain.
So, what are the next steps for someone struggling with back pain? Step one is rest. If the pain is severe or radiating, a doctor’s visit is highly recommended. A doctor may prescribe physical therapy or medication; or, they may investigate further to see if injections, epidural or surgery is a good option. The main takeaway is that back pain should not be ignored or assumed to be inevitable. There are always options for reducing pain and living a more comfortable life.
Kola Jegede, MD is a spine surgeon at NYU Langone Health – Brooklyn.
