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Back pain is one of the most common health problems, affecting 65 million adults in the United States. Sixteen million of these have chronic back pain that limits their everyday activities.
In addition to the obvious problem of back pain itself, living with chronic spinal disorders can have far-reaching effects on your overall health.
At Silver Spine & Neurological Center - Interventional Pain Management & Spine Surgery, we diagnose and treat numerous patients with back problems every week, seeing firsthand how their condition affects the rest of their body.
Your spine is more than just a structure that keeps you upright. It comprises bones, nerves, muscles, and ligaments and houses the spinal cord, which acts as a communication highway linking your brain and the rest of your body.
When something goes wrong with your back, you may well feel the consequences in unexpected places. Here are some of the ways back pain affects other vital systems.
If you experience back pain, you may change how you stand, walk, or sit to avoid discomfort. This might bring short-term relief, but over time, poor posture can often lead to misalignment in your spine, which puts extra stress on your joints. This can cause pain in your hips, knees, and even your feet.
Back pain from conditions like herniated discs and spinal stenosis (spinal canal narrowing) can put pressure on nerves that extend to different areas of your body. This can result in neuropathy — nerve pain and symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, legs, or elsewhere.
Believe it or not, back health can affect your digestive system, because the nerves in your lower spine help regulate digestion. You might experience issues like constipation, bloating, or even irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) if these nerves become irritated or compressed due to a back disorder.
Additionally, prolonged use of pain medications for back problems can also lead to stomach irritation and digestive troubles.
Your spine plays a role in your ability to breathe properly. If your back pain causes tightness in the muscles around your ribs and chest, you may find it harder to take deep breaths. Shallow breathing can lead to lower oxygen levels in your blood, making you feel more tired and affecting your overall energy levels.
People with conditions like osteoporosis and scoliosis may have such severe abnormal curvature in their spine that it compresses the chest and impairs lung function.
It isn’t just your physical health that back pain affects. Chronic pain of all kinds is a common cause or contributory factor in mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Constant discomfort makes it difficult to focus, enjoy activities, or sleep well. Lack of sleep can, in turn, make your pain feel worse, creating a vicious cycle of pain and exhaustion.
The good news is there are several ways to take care of your back and improve overall health:
Be mindful of how you sit, stand, and move. Avoid slouching, and aim to keep your spine aligned without stiffening it.
Regular exercise, such as stretching, yoga, or low-impact activities, strengthens your back muscles and improves flexibility.
Excess body weight puts additional stress on your spine, leading to increased pain and discomfort.
Always lift with your legs and core muscles rather than overloading your back to avoid unnecessary strain.
Excessive or chronic stress causes muscle tension, which often worsens back pain. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation exercises can help.
If your back pain persists, visit us for an evaluation. Our double board-certified neurosurgeon, M. Viktor Silver, MD, FACS, FRCS, is an expert in both nonsurgical interventional pain management and spine surgery. He provides treatments that address the root cause of your pain and reduce the strain on other parts of your body.
Treating back pain early improves your quality of life and prevents further complications. Call Silver Spine & Neurological Center - Interventional Pain Management & Spine Surgery, or request an appointment online today. Remember, a strong and healthy back supports a strong and healthy body!