Understanding the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Overview

Back pain is a common problem, but this doesn’t make it easier to live with. Most of us experience acute or chronic back pain. Acute back pain frequently occurs and, in most cases, resolves within a few days, although it might last up to six weeks in certain situations. However, chronic back pain typically worsens over time and can extend over a period of six months or even more. But before you seek medical help, you need to know about the type of back pain you’re suffering from. Here we’ve discussed the same with our experts from the best spine hospital in Kolkata.

Tell me the reasons for my acute back pain:

Acute back pain is commonly caused by strained or damaged back soft tissues, which include muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is especially true when lifting a heavy object with poor posture. If you suffer from muscle spasms, you may also experience back pain.

Reasons for chronic back pain:

As per our experts from spine hospital in Kolkata, chronic back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Degeneration of the discs
• Degenerative arthritis as we age
• Herniated discs on a regular basis
• Compression-related fractures
• Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.

Understanding the difference between acute and chronic back pain:

The primary distinction between these two types of pain is one of duration. Because when you have acute pain, your agony fades as your body heals. In most cases, acute pain has a clear cause, such as:

• Burns, abrasions, or bruises
• Sprains and strains
• Bone fractures
• Surgery

In general, intense discomfort subsides within six months. Chronic pain occurs when your discomfort lasts longer than six months or lingers after you recuperate.

What should you do when your back pain becomes chronic?

It all begins with a thorough physical exam and diagnostic imaging testing to pinpoint the source of your back discomfort. Our experts at CMRI will develop a personalized treatment plan to address your disease at its root and boost your comfort.

Most chronic back pain treatments require a variety of methods, ranging from medication and heat and cold therapy to targeted interventional injections and physical therapy.

The reasons why chronic back pain shouldn't be ignored:

Nobody likes to be in pain, especially if it is chronic. It can have far-reaching consequences in your life that go beyond just discomfort. Living with chronic back pain can place additional strain on your body and emotional health, resulting in other problems such as:

• Muscle tenseness
• Impaired mobility
• Insufficient energy
• Appetite changes
• Anger, depression, and anxiety

Chronic back pain can also have a negative impact on your quality of life by limiting your capacity to participate in work or leisure activities due to discomfort or fear of re-injury.

How to treat acute and chronic back pain?

Anti-inflammatory and pain medicines, as well as lotions or ointments, can help alleviate pain, though many are not intended for long-term usage. Treatments that do not involve medication are frequently preferable since they can be taken indefinitely and improve quality of life.

Chronic pain treatment may include:

• Injections of trigger points
• Injections of steroids
• Therapy with stem cells
• Platelet-rich plasma treatment
• Physiotherapy, and even surgery

If you or someone you know is suffering from back pain and is not sure about the type of pain, consult our doctors practicing in the best spine surgery hospital in Kolkata. They will evaluate and provide the treatment appropriate for you.