Back pain is something most people experience at some point in their lives, whether it's from an acute injury or a chronic condition in the spine.
If you're experiencing back pain or problems, you're likely wondering how they started. Sometimes, it's a simple injury that sparks pain, while other times, it may be due to a genetic disposition to back issues.
No matter what's causing back problems, you must get help to reduce pain and improve your quality of life. Dr. Steven J. Svabek and his team offer expert care at the Coral Springs, Florida office.
Dr. Svabek is an orthopedic specialist who provides expert care and treatments for back pain related to injury and degenerative conditions.
Back problems are any issue that occurs with the various components of your spine. For example, you could have back pain from a muscle strain, disc herniation, or fractured vertebrae.
You can experience back pain in any area of the spine, from the neck to the lower back. Several issues lead to back pain, including the following problems:
The muscles in the back support the spine but are prone to injury. People with labor-intensive jobs or those who lift with improper posture are at risk for muscle strains.
Arthritis is the name of several conditions that cause deterioration in the joints of your spine. Osteoarthritis is a form of degenerative arthritis leading to pain in various spine areas.
Osteoporosis happens when the bones in the body become brittle and are at risk of easily fracturing. Women are at an increased risk for osteoporosis, especially after menopause. The disease may cause broken vertebrae from simply sneezing.
Intervertebral discs cushion the spine between each vertebra but are at risk for injury. Bulging discs happen when the soft inside of the disc squeezes past the tough outer layer, which sometimes presses on a nerve and causes pain.
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that leads to the vertebrae fusing, decreasing flexibility in the spine.
Like many other health conditions, you can inherit specific back problems from your parents. However, it's not guaranteed that you'll suffer from back issues just because your mom or dad had them.
Genetics is a complicated aspect of the human body, and multiple factors contribute to the chances of inheriting any disorder from your parents.
However, many adults over 50 with low back pain have some degree of disc damage, which you may inherit. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the common causes of disc problems in the spine.
DDD happens when the spongy discs between each vertebra deteriorate, causing pain and potentially causing the disc to bulge or lead to herniation.
According to the National Library of Health, if you have a sibling or parent with intervertebral disc problems, you're at a higher risk of developing them. However, the genes don't cause the disease; instead, a genetic variation causes an increased risk of disc problems.
Scoliosis and spondylolisthesis are other back conditions that have genetic components. A first-degree relative with either condition also increases your chances of developing the problem.
Whether your back pain is genetic or not, it's crucial to figure out what's causing the problem and get treatment to return to your busy life.
Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes can help you manage back pain. For instance, adding low-impact exercise to your daily routine can help you manage symptoms.
Over-the-counter pain medications can also relieve discomfort, along with the use of heating pads and ice packs. However, these interventions are only sometimes enough.
Dr. Svabek provides other treatments for back pain, including physical therapy. He evaluates your symptoms and provides imaging studies to determine the root cause of the problem.
He then offers several treatment options, including muscle relaxers, steroid injections, and implanted spinal cord stimulators. Each treatment helps significantly reduce pain and improve your quality of life.
If you're dealing with chronic back pain, don't hesitate to call Dr. Svabek's team today to schedule an appointment at his Coral Springs, Florida office. You can also request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.
