Meanwhile, more and more sufferers complain of a stiff back. In this case, the back area seems downright stiff, and the discomfort occurs at irregular intervals.
What is a stiff back?
The pain of a stiff back is found in the lower back region and does not allow sufferers to sleep at night. The so-called stiff back is a symptomatic phenomenon that can appear at any time, regardless of what the affected person is doing straight. The pain is found in the lower back region and does not allow the affected person to sleep at night. The daily fatigue caused by the sleepless nights, but also the constant feeling of being completely stiff, makes it difficult for those affected. The patients have little mobility and suffer permanently from pain. Mostly the complaints are initial and intensify in the course of the time. If the back pain persists over a longer period of time without any prospect of improvement, a herniated disc can occur in the worst case. Those affected cannot stand or sit for long periods of time, as they then experience severe pain.
Causes
Patients who often complain of a stiff back have certainly thought about the possible cause of the discomfort. It is not uncommon for patients to run from one doctor to another and usually rarely get what they hope for: Cure. In most cases, it is errors in posture, one-sided loads, curvatures of the spine and tension that trigger the stiff back and the associated pain. Meanwhile many occupations are exercised, in which one sits almost only. This leads to one-sided postures that cause damage to the whole organism. The foundation stone for back complaints is thus laid. But carrying loads can also cause damage to the spine and lead to a stiff back. Nerves are often pinched, or the dreaded herniated discs occur. These then cause very great pain.
Diseases with this symptom
- Facet syndrome
- Muscle stiffness
- Polio
- Arthritis of the vertebral joints
- Herniated disc
- Sciatic pain
- Renal pelvic inflammation
- Lumbago
- Spinal curvature
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Dysmenorrhea
Diagnosis and course
Affected people who have had a stiff back for a long period of time should definitely see a doctor. In most cases, tension is the cause of the pain. However, it is also possible that serious underlying diseases may be the cause of the back pain. These can be tumors, for example, which can trigger similar pain. In order to rule this out, a doctor should definitely be consulted, who can then diagnose the pain after a thorough examination. The doctor will then suggest a suitable therapy to eliminate or at least reduce the agonizing symptoms. The symptoms of a stiff back are usually chronic in nature and will certainly worsen without appropriate therapy. Also, it is then possible for more discomfort to develop. That is why it is so important that the diagnosis is made by the doctor at the earliest possible stage. If the stiff back has existed for a long time, it is not necessarily possible to prevent the pain from radiating to other parts of the body. This then mainly affects the buttocks and thighs.
Complications
A stiff back is often due to problems in the lumbar spine or pelvis. Here, initial muscle tightness, unless promptly and successfully treated, can lead to a number of complications. These include acute pain that can become chronic. In addition, a herniated disc may develop. If the disorders originate in the upper back, severe tension and severe pain may develop in the neck, especially in the upper thoracic spine and cervical spine. A workplace that is not ergonomically designed can exacerbate this negative development. Here, too, there is ultimately the threat of a herniated disc. In addition, numbness can occur in the extremities, especially in the fingers. Dizziness and severe headaches are also common complications of a back condition.In this case, the headache can take on migraine-like features and severely affect the patient’s quality of life. If the stiffness is caused by discomfort in the middle back, severe muscle irritation can result. In addition, deformation of the rib-vertebral joints, especially the thoracic spine, may occur. Provided the stiff back is merely due to poor posture while sleeping, a long car ride, or a long flight, no complications are expected.
When should you see a doctor?
If a stiff back does not improve with the application of heat and exercise and relaxation, if the stiffness continues to progress, or if there is increased pain, the primary care physician should be consulted for an initial evaluation. If further examinations are necessary, the physician can refer the patient to an orthopedist, neurologist or radiologist. If drug therapy or physiotherapy has already been initiated and the complaints persist unabated, a change in treatment or further diagnostics may be necessary: a discussion with the attending physician will provide information about the therapeutic options under consideration. A prompt visit to the doctor is indicated by symptoms of paralysis or sensory disturbances caused by a stiff back, which can extend far down into the leg. Pain and restricted movement in the back caused by a fall or traffic accident should also be clarified by a doctor immediately. Not infrequently, psychological factors such as great emotional stress, an anxiety disorder or chronic overstrain are the cause of the stiff back or at least contribute to the symptoms. A discussion with a psychiatrist or psychologist can contribute in this case substantially to the improvement of the complaint.
Treatment and therapy
Most people with a stiff back suffer very much from the discomfort, physically as well as psychologically. For this reason, the only desire of these sufferers is to annihilate or at least alleviate the pain. In order for this desire to become achievable, regular exercise is absolutely necessary. Most of the patients have very weak muscles and they completely lack any strength. Sometimes there is also a shortening of entire muscle areas. In this case, stretching exercises are particularly suitable. But of course, the appropriate sport is very important to strengthen the muscles permanently and thus provide a stable body framework. Many people adopt a one-sided posture every day, if only because of their professional activity. Therefore, it is very important that these groups of people in particular provide sporting compensation. If physical activity is not possible during working hours, it should definitely be done during free time. To treat the stiff back, it is still highly recommended to apply heat to the affected areas. This leads to a loosening of the muscles, which then loosens more easily and allows movement without pain. However, if there is inflammation in the back area, it is essential to refrain from adding heat, as this will increase the inflammatory reaction.
Outlook and prognosis
A stiff back can be treated relatively well. However, in this case, the patient’s commitment is also required. A doctor should be consulted. Often, a stiff back occurs because of an incorrect basic posture, which has a negative effect on the back in the long term. In addition to the stiff back itself, there is also back pain. If, in addition to the stiff back, pain also occurs, a so-called pain therapy can be carried out. This is successful in many cases and can greatly limit the symptom. In case of further back problems, physiotherapy is recommended to treat the back and the wrong sitting posture. Here, treatment by heat and massages is also carried out. Likewise, heat applications at home are possible. A stiff back cannot be treated in all cases. However, the course of the disease is positive if treated early. However, the patient must also exercise himself and pay attention to a healthy back posture in everyday life.
Prevention
However, those who have not had any complaints with a stiff back until now are also urged not to disregard exercise. This is the only way to guarantee freedom from complaints in the future.To prevent these complaints, it is also important to avoid one-sided and incorrect postures. Regardless of the activity, the posture should always be taken consciously. Thus, the stiff back can be prevented with high probability, provided that no causative diseases are present.
This is what you can do yourself
Tension in the spine is very painful and significantly limits mobility. For acute pain caused by tension, mud packs and infrared radiation have proven effective. Step positioning is useful to relieve acute pain. The legs are placed elevated at right angles while the back lies flat. Heat treatments relax the tense areas and thus provide relief. After the acute phase, exercise is on the agenda, because despite pain, rest is not recommended. In most cases, the problem is muscle tension caused by incorrect sitting or lying down. Exercise is also the right thing to do in the case of tension in the cervical spine. Those who have to sit a lot due to their job should always keep an upright posture and protect themselves from drafts. It is advisable to take regular breaks from exercise. This strengthens the muscles and stabilizes the bones. Even with severe pain, patients should never lie in bed for long periods of time. Physical training reduces the pain and can lead to its complete disappearance. Untrained people should walk, cycle or swim for at least 20 minutes a day. Even taking the stairs instead of the elevator can go a long way. Bending over in a way that is easy on the back relieves pressure and prevents damage to the intervertebral discs. To do this, patients bend their knees slightly forward but keep their upper body straight. Lifting loads is done by lowering the knees with the upper body extended. The spine must not “sag.”
