Burning Back Pain

Back pain is extremely common. One particularly annoying type of back pain is a burning sensation. This type of pain can occur when the muscles in your back are tired or tight. The muscles actually heat up, causing your skin in that area to feel hotter. In this post, we will discuss some common causes of burning back pain, measures you can take in response, and ways to carry on with your daily life despite it.

Common Causes of Burning Back Pain

Here are some common causes of burning back pain.

Spinal Problems

Our spine is basically composed of several discs, which are filled with a soft, jelly-like substance. In what is known as a herniated disc, which can also be referred to as a bulging disc, the jelly-like substance pushes against the outside of the disk. This can cause significant back pain.

Skeletal Defect

The shape of our spinal cord can play a major role in someone’s level of back pain. If our spine is straight, we have the potential to have good posture; if it’s curved, then our posture won’t be very good. Spine conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis can affect the shape of our spine and cause significant pain. While spine surgery is an option, many people simply strengthen their back.

Stress

While back pain is often related to physical conditions and movements, it can also be related to our mental and emotional state. Generally, when people become stressed, their muscles tighten. When the back tightens up,

Muscle Problems

Staying in the same position for hours at a time, whether that be standing or sitting, can cause your back muscles to tighten. Overuse can also result in tight back muscles. These tight muscles can result in significant back pain. In addition to tight back muscles, weak back muscles can also cause you pain. Unfortunately, many people don’t keep their back very strong, and when your back is weak, you don’t have much stability, which can result in poor posture and back pain.

Nerve Problems

Nerves, which are what allow us to feel, are extremely sensitive. So, it makes sense that it would be extremely painful when a nerve gets pinched. Humans have thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves, so the back is a common location for pinched nerve. Under each spinal nerve is a nerve root, which are extremely important and can be very problematic and painful when damaged.

Suggestions for Treating Burning Back Pain

Here are our suggestions for what you should do if you experience a burning back pain.

Determine Cause

before you can actually fix your back pain, it is important that you determine what is causing it. It’s possible that you know the cause already. Maybe you are lifting items that are too heavy, or maybe you are playing a sport that causes you to move your back in abnormal ways. If you know why your back hurts, then you should make every effort to stop the activity that is making it hurt. If you don’t know why your back hurts, you should receive a diagnostic from a healthcare provider or a spine institute. Determining the cause is the first step to finding the solution.

Strengthen Your Back and Core

Your back and your core are important for providing stability for your body. If your back and core are weak, then you aren’t going to have stability, and when you aren’t stable it is difficult to maintain good posture.  When you exercise, it is important that you don’t perform rapid motions or use large amounts of weight that cause you to strain. Instead, slow, methodical movements that can be done for several repetitions will help you increase your strength. For instance, swimming and yoga are great forms of exercise that help you strengthen your back. Even if you have not had an actual injury, physical therapy can be a great way to improve your strength and stability.

Focus on Posture

Poor posture can both cause and accelerate back and neck pain. When we sit or stand incorrectly, we can put excessive pressure on certain parts of our body. For instance, it is common for people with desk jobs to lean forward and slouch their back, putting pressure on and causing pain in the lower back as well as the cervical spine. Your goal should be to relieve that pressure. Whether you are sitting or standing, you want to keep your back straight. That way, you will not place excessive pressure or cause significant pain.

Medication

Of course, another option is medicine. There are a variety of types of medicine you can take to help you with your back pain. Some, such as , are over the counter medications that may relieve more mild pain. If your pain is constant and intense, prescription medications may be the best way to achieve pain relief. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Back Pains, as well as some opioid medications may be prescribed by your doctor. Be sure to consult with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure that you receive the correct medication and that it can be used with any other medications you are already taking.

How to Engage in Daily Activities with Burning Back Pain

Here is a tip that will allow you to still engage in daily activities without causing further damage to your back.

When you go to pick up something that is even slightly heavy, your form really does matter. Your natural inclination is probably to bend at the waist as you lean down, but this method puts the most stress on your back. Instead, you should bend at the knees, which changes what muscles you are primarily using. Instead of your back, you will be using your hamstrings and the rest of your legs. This will help you prevent further back pain. Ultimately, if you don’t think that your back can handle picking up a heavy item, you should not do it. Try to find a friend or a family member who can help you.

Contact a Pain Specialist

If you are experiencing significant back pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with us. Let our team help you determine the cause and take the necessary measures to alleviate your pain. Call us at 480-986-7246or schedule an appointment on our website.