According to the World Health Organization, low back pain affects over 619 million people worldwide, with that estimate growing to over 800 million by the year 2050.
One of the major contributors to back pain is the aging process in the body. As you get older, the bones and other structures in your spine begin to deteriorate, often leading to chronic pain.
It's common to feel some back discomfort as you age, but you certainly don't have to live with it. Various treatments are available to help you reduce pain and build strength in the muscles surrounding the spine for long-term support.
Dr. Omar Osmani and the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico team offer conservative and surgical treatments for orthopedic issues, including back pain.
Dr. Osmani is located in Roswell, New Mexico, and is an expert orthopedic surgeon, providing his patients with cutting-edge treatments and personalized care for back pain.
Your spine is the primary support system to your body, connecting different areas of the musculoskeletal system and allowing you to move, stand, and sit.
Thirty-three bones, called vertebrae, make up the external portion of the spine. Their main goal is to protect the spinal cord, provide your body with a structure, and house the nerves and other soft tissues in the spinal canal.
Between every vertebra is a pad called an intervertebral disc. These discs act as shock absorbers in the spine, preventing the bones from rubbing on each other.
Your spine also has facet joints, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. These structures work together with your central nervous system to provide movement and sensation to every part of your body.
Although the spine is highly durable, it's susceptible to injury and degeneration, especially as you age and the body changes.
Grueling workouts, long days at work, and poor posture all contribute to back pain as you get older.
Your back takes on a lot of wear and tear throughout the years, changing the structures that support your body and spinal cord. The intervertebral discs begin to shrink and dry out, which causes pain from the vertebrae rubbing together.
Herniated discs can also occur, where the inner part of the disc pushes out through the tough outer layer, pressuring nearby nerves. But the discs aren't the only aspect of your spine that changes.
Your spinal column also begins to narrow, which is called spinal stenosis. The narrowing puts pressure on your spinal cord and nerves, making back pain worse.
Osteoporosis and arthritis are other conditions that affect your aging spine, resulting in chronic pain sometimes. Osteoporosis also causes your bones to become brittle, leading to spinal fractures.
Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do to stop aging, but there are ways to slow down its effects and keep your spine healthy to prevent pain.
Although it may seem best to rest your back when it hurts, the opposite is true. When you are dealing with age-related back pain, getting up and moving is crucial, even if it's just going for a walk around the block.
Exercise is essential to the aging body, as it keeps the muscles, ligaments, and tendons moving and loose, which helps prevent injury and degeneration. Strength, flexibility training, and core workouts are vital to spine health.
Regular exercise is only part of the solution, though; Dr. Osmani suggests other tactics to prevent further damage to your back, including:
Listening to your body and avoiding activities that stress your back and spine is also crucial. If you're dealing with sudden pain, take it easy and don't overdo it until you can seek treatment.
Dr. Osmani also offers surgical and non-surgical treatments for severe back pain you can't relieve with home measures. He evaluates your spine through a physical examination and an X-ray or MRI to determine the best treatment route for your needs.
If you require treatment for persistent back pain, don't hesitate to call our office in Roswell at 575-623-9101 or request an appointment on our website.
