Have you ever pulled a muscle in your back and had to experience a few weeks of soreness and pain? Perhaps you suffered for a few days after you slipped and fell, or maybe you hurt your back while playing a sport. This kind of pain, while admittedly legitimate, cannot begin to compare to the pain that is experienced by those who have chronic back pain. This kind of pain is long lasting, and difficult to pinpoint. Yet, once diagnosed, there are certain things that can be done to provide relief for chronic back pain.

Discussing The Distinction

There is one main distinction within chronic back pain that is caused by different factors. These factors play an important role in determining what type of back pain you might have, and how you should go about getting it treated.

The major distinction that must be made is between chronic back pain that occurs as the result of an unidentifiable pain generator, and chronic back pain that occurs as the result of an identifiable pain generator. While the first tends to be more difficult to treat, the latter is usually associated with structural spine conditions, such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. With chronic back pain, an unidentifiable pain generator is usually the source.

Characteristics Of Constant Discomfort

Chronic back pain is both long lasting and recurring. Both factors are considered an unavoidable part of back pain. In order to be considered chronic, back pain usually has to last continuously for three to six months. Additionally, it is common for chronic back pain to keep coming back—even after it has been thought to have been resolved! The recurrence of the pain is usually sporadic and unpredictable, and it varies highly from person to person.

A Doctor’s Diagnosis

Unfortunately, most chronic back pain is caused by an unidentifiable pain generator, making it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis is also complicated by the fact that people tend to describe their pain differently—the symptoms, perceived pain levels, and pain tolerance will vary greatly from person to person.

Your doctor might ask you where your pain occurs. Typically, chronic back pain occurs in the lower back, buttocks, and even down as far as the upper legs. Another common assessment given during diagnosis is the ranking of pain on a scale of one to ten. While the diagnosis process may be a pain, going through it just might get you an answer!

A Painful Process

By working with your doctor, you can nip chronic back pain in the bud sooner rather than later. You should only have to live in pain for so long.