The Complexities of Curing Chronic Back Pain

Physicians are constantly faced with a challenge when it comes to treating chronic back pain. The inconsistent nature of pain often makes it extremely difficult to target; it can come and go, switch from sharp to subtle, and even centralize itself, only later to radiate throughout the entire body. With most injuries like broken bones and fractures, an X-ray reveals the exact source of pain. However, back injuries that trigger back pain or pain in the limbs are not as easily identifiable since damaged nerves are extremely difficult to pinpoint. In a special feature by Alice Park in TIME magazine, entitled "Healing the Hurt," some interesting studies surrounding chronic pain were transcribed. Research discovered that individuals who suffer from chronic pain due to disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome and back disorders, have highly active nerve responses which in turn exacerbate the sensation of pain in the body.

Although chronic back pain, or chronic pain anywhere in the body, can be difficult to treat, it is very important to the overall well-being of pain patients that they find relief. Often, individuals living with chronic pain develop emotional instability and they may potentially even lose sensation in the affected portion of the body.

Despite these findings, there are alternative ways to "trick" the brain and ultimately treat those individuals who suffer from chronic back pain. Opioids and analgesics are able to naturally mask pain in the human body. These natural "pain-killers" interject the path where pain signals travel, namely the spinal cord. Physicians often treat patients with chronic back pain by combining prescribed synthetic opioids and physical therapy. Physical therapy, although painful for those struggling with back pain, can help with the rehabilitation process. In a TIME magazine article entitled, "Why Exercise Won't Make You Thin," writer John Cloud wrote, "people with chronic back pain who exercise four days a week have 36% less disability than those who exercise only two or three days a week." For many sufferers, the combination of exercise and medication allows them to live a fairly normal lifestyle. They are able to mask the pain just enough and then focus on preventing further ailments. For other chronic back pain sufferers, often those with more permanent nerve damage, a more invasive treatment plan is required.

For those with more permanent damage, physicians will perform an epidural steroid injection to temporarily relieve chronic back pain. The steroid directly "treats" the irritated nerve root in the spine to mask the pain signals traveling up the central nervous system to the brain. There are, however, various injections that treat more complex regional, chronic back pain syndromes.

Stellate ganglion blocks relieve the sympathetic nervous system, which is an area responsible for transmitting the signals to mobilize a stressed portion of the body. If all of these alternative treatments are unsuccessful, a spinal cord stimulator, an invasive device that overrides pain signals, can be implanted into the body. There are risks involved with every invasive treatment, but this stimulator, which replaces pain with a tingling sensation, has been known to effectively mask chronic, debilitating back pain.

People with chronic back pain are often sedentary for years of their lives. By obtaining medical attention right away, there is a chance physicians can help sufferers return to a more normal way of life with these alternative treatments. By proactively consulting a qualified medical professional when experiencing any kind of pain or discomfort, you may find yourself one step closer to a healthier, happier existence.