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Many of us might have felt a telltale twinge in our backs at some point as we’ve engaged in certain activities—our body’s way of warning us that we’re probably doing something physically risky. Lifting heavy furniture, sleeping in an awkward position, bending or sitting for prolonged periods, or any number of other everyday activities could potentially lead to back pain. It could be easy to hurt your back, but not necessarily as easy to recover, especially as we get older.

It is estimated that up to  80 percent of Americans will experience some form of back pain during their lifetime, with lower back pain being more common than other forms, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlight the following information from the National Health Interview Survey that shows just how prevalent this condition is among Americans: “In 2018, 28.0% of men and 31.6% of women aged ≥18 years had lower back pain in the past three months.” 

In 2018, lower back pain was the third most common diagnosis and reason for surgery among Americans, as indicated by Statista. The ACA shares that back pain accounts for over 264 million lost workdays in one year. 

So, how do we get through these painful episodes, and what could we do if the pain does not resolve itself?

About back pain

Back pain does not discriminate. It can affect all segments of the population, across genders, socioeconomic and age groups, at any point in one’s life. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), it could even be an unpleasant symptom of some medical conditions, including arthritis, cancer, infections, and bone fractures. However, Dr. Debra Perina, Professor and Director of the Prehospital Care Division, Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, shares that the majority of low back pain is often mechanical in nature and may be triggered by poor posture, unsupportive seating, or motions such as awkward bending or incorrect lifting techniques. 

Such pain can often be caused by malfunctions in the way the sections of the lower back —including the spine, muscles and nerves—function and move together.  

Mechanical back pain could manifest in several ways. Some people report a dull ache, muscle spasms, and tightness, while others describe burning and stinging that migrate from the low back down the back of the legs.

Depending on the age and fitness level of the individual and the cause of the pain, Mayo Clinic shares that acute back pain can sometimes be treated with rest and other home remedies, including heat, ice, stretching, light exercise, and over-the-counter medications. 

Chronic back pain

According to Dr. John Peloza of SpineHealth.com, when back pain continues for more than three months, it is considered a chronic condition. While acute pain is usually alleviated by treatment and can fade as the body heals, chronic pain can be stubborn and severe, often does not respond to initial treatment, and usually requires extensive diagnostic work to determine its cause. 

The NINDS shares that there are many potential diagnoses for the cause of chronic back pain, including herniated discs, osteoarthritis, compression fracture, and trauma. This organization also shares that treatments for chronic back pain are numerous and varied. Such treatments often include medications, such as muscle relaxants and narcotics, physical therapy, and surgery.  

Managing back pain

The business of back pain is booming. Each year, nearly 500,000 Americans opt for back surgery to manage lower back pain, at a total cost of almost $11 billion. Surgery can be life changing when it works, but unfortunately, patients of up 40 percent of back surgeries report recurring pain after surgery, according to Penn Medicine. Even when surgery is successful, it could take between three and 12 months to return to most normal daily activities.

So, what are your options if you’re managing acute or chronic back pain at home? Sudden or severe back pain, or pain that just won’t go away, should always be checked by a healthcare professional to rule out the possibility of serious injury. If you know the cause of your back pain and you’ve decided to treat your symptoms at home, you might want to consider staying active if this is recommended by your doctor. 

Medical devices for back pain management

When managing back pain at home, medical devices are available to help provide pain relief and strengthen an injured area. Some devices available could be effective for the management of back pain for some people, including high-tech corsets, spinal cord stimulators and a therapeutic approach called electrotherapy, among others. 

A specific type of electrotherapy known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has gained traction in recent years.

NMES applies low levels of electrical current to lower motor neurons, which are those responsible for the movement of your body’s muscles. It helps promote muscle contraction, which in turn is thought to assist with improved blood circulation and reduced muscle spasms. Studies have observed health benefits of NMES treatments, including improvements to muscle strength and back pain relief. 

NeuroMD Medical Technologies has developed a corrective therapy device that it claims helps to restore lower back health and offers pain relief for those managing chronic back pain at home. The device delivers electrical stimulation set to optimal NMES parameters, that is gentle and effective, helping to provide lasting relief which may assist users to avoid costly treatments and invasive surgeries.

The company claims over one million treatments to date, and lists some of the benefits as reduced inflammation; improved musculoskeletal health and function; better blood flow to damaged tissue; and the strengthening of spinal muscles. 

Back pain is a major public health issue and one that could continue to increase as our population ages and more people develop conditions such as obesity. Surgeries can be a costly, invasive treatment option that could have a disappointing track record of success, often leaving back pain sufferers needing further interventions. For those with a chronic back pain condition, NMES electrotherapy could be a non-invasive, inexpensive, clinically proven, life-changing complement to a healthy lifestyle and healthcare professional approved pain management plan.

To find out more and try a 60-day risk-free trial, click here.