As you know your back is a crucial part of the human support structure, which allows you to stand, walk, bend, and perform other basic actions.

Due to a sedentary lifestyle almost everyone irrespective of age experiences back pain at some point of their life, but not getting it treated can make the situation more worse.

Back pain affects a person's everyday life, and is one of the most common problems even among youngsters.

Mild back pain can be treated at home, but chronic back pain can create several problems that affect your overall health and well being.

Are you someone experiencing back pain? Wondering what could be the causes of it and what happens if you delay treating it? You’re in the right place.

This blog by Karetrip examine the causes and symptoms that may come with back pain and what can happen if that pain is left untreated

Causes of Back Pain

• Muscle Strain: Over Usage , bad lifting techniques, and sudden movements can make the muscles strain and ligaments in the back, leading to pain.

• Structural problems: Certain conditions namely herniated discs, bulging discs, and so on can cause compression in nerves or spinal cord, which finally leads to back pain.

• Traumatic injury: Accidents, unexpected falls, or sports injuries can cause fractures, or strains in the back, which results in acute or chronic pain.

• Maintaining Poor posture: People who are sitting, standing, or slouching continuously for a long period of time have the risk of developing strain in back muscle and ligaments, which leads to discomfort and pain over passage of time

• Obesity: Being obese can adversely affect the back as it adds pressure on the spine and contributes to back pain. So practise a healthy diet and be at your ideal weight.

It is very important to Identify the actual cause of back pain and it is essential for determining the appropriate treatment required for it.

Physical Consequences

• Untreated back problems may lead to chronic pain. It can either be a mild discomfort or severe pain which may vary from individual to individual.

• The spine is one of the critical components of the human body, which helps in support and mobility. When the spine is affected by conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, the spine's integrity is compromised, which results in severe pain and restricted movement.

• Nerve compression is another consequence of untreated back problems. Conditions like sciatica, where the sciatic nerve is compressed, can significantly affect mobility and quality of life.

• If left unchecked, nerve damage will become irreversible which makes the further treatment more complicated

Socioeconomic Burden

Untreated back problems impose a significant socioeconomic burden on individuals, healthcare systems, and society at large. The cost of managing chronic back pain, including medical consultations, diagnostic tests, medications, and rehabilitation, can be substantial.

Moreover, individuals with untreated back issues may experience decreased productivity at work or even disability, leading to loss of income and financial instability.

From a societal perspective, the ripple effects of untreated back problems are far-reaching.

Productivity losses due to absenteeism or presenteeism (working while in pain) can impact economic growth and competitiveness.

Additionally, the strain on healthcare resources and the potential for long-term disability claims place a burden on public and private insurance systems.

Preventing The Impact Of Back Pain

• Practice exercise:

People often believe that when they have issues related to the back , the best way to get relief is to limit exercise and to take rest.

A rest of one or two days must be effective, but more than that may not help to get relieved from pain. Experts now know that regular physical activity can help ease inflammation and muscle tension.

• Quit Smoking:

Saying No to cigarettes is the best way to make one's back healthy. As smoking restricts the flow of nutrient-containing blood to spinal discs, there is an increased chance that the smokers may develop back pain.

• Improve your sleep posture:

If you suffer from back pain, talk with your doctor about the best sleeping position. Sometimes adjusting the sleeping postures may help.

• Take short breaks in between:

10 minutes, take at least 20 seconds to stop typing and stand and stretch.This gets your blood pumping and loosens up tight muscles and stiff joints.

It also gives your eyes a chance to readjust, which can prevent computer-related vision problems

Treatments

Most back pain gets better within a month of home treatment, especially for people younger than age 60. However, for many, the pain lasts several months.Pain relievers and the use of heat might be all that's needed. Bed rest isn't recommended.

There are various ways like meditations like narcotics, topical pain relievers, muscle relaxants and physical therapies like Cortisone injections, radiofrequency ablation,Implanted nerve stimulators and surgery.

Untreated back problems exact a heavy toll on individuals, communities, and societies, affecting physical health, emotional well-being, and economic stability.

By recognising the interconnected nature of these consequences, we can advocate for proactive measures to prevent and address back issues effectively.

Through education, early intervention, and comprehensive care strategies, we can alleviate the burden of untreated back problems and improve the lives of millions worldwide.

The information provided represents the views and opinions of Karetrip. It is crucial to conduct your own independent research before making any decisions regarding your healthcare journey. - Disclaimer