Mechanical back pain is a form of pain that results from irritation or injury to the ligaments, facet joint, discs or muscles in the back. Nearly 97 percent of back injuries account for this type of pain. Treatment is dependent on the extent of the injury and psychosocial factors for the patient. Other names for mechanical back pain include idiopathic low back pain, lumbago or lumbosacral sprain.
Acute mechanical back pain persists for approximately four to six weeks. The source of the pain occurs in areas that affect the mechanical movements of the body such as vertebrae, soft tissues and spinal joints. Mechanical back pain generally occurs near the lumbar spine, but pain can spread to the buttock and thighs.
Chronic mechanical back pain lasts longer than four to six weeks and requires extensive diagnostic tests to determine the exact cause. This type of back pain can be the result of a more serious condition. A patient may become disabled, preventing the ability to perform normal daily functions.
Comprehensive treatment for chronic mechanical back pain focuses on a thorough assessment of the problems causing the pain. A multi-disciplinary team might be required to develop the best approach for managing the chronic pain. Treatments range from non-surgical conservative methods to more invasive techniques.
Treating mechanical back pain may involve non-surgical conservative methods such as medication and exercises. Medication’s role in treating mechanical back pain helps to facilitate an exercise program. Over-the-counter and anti-inflammatory pain relievers can be taken to relieve back pain. It normally takes up to seven days for the pain to subside.
Some people also seek chiropractic adjustments for relief from back pain. Weakened muscles from whiplash injuries can be strengthened. The goal of this treatment is to correct damage that the whiplash injury caused to soft or structural tissue.
Exercises for mechanical back pain can be as simple as walking, standing or working. An exercise program is individualized and provides long-term benefits against a recurrence of back pain. A physical therapist who specializes in spine-oriented injuries designs the program. In most cases, patients can complete the exercises at home without the aid of special equipment.
Invasive techniques that have the potential for side effects and complications may be used to relieve chronic back pain. These may include nerve blocks and injections or intraspinal implants. Nerve blocks and implants inject medication near the spinal cord to reduce back pain. Intraspinal implants are used when patients are unresponsive to other methods. Spinal cord stimulation blocks pain signals from the brain by using a small wire to apply electrical impulses to the damaged areas. Intraspinal infusion involves continuously delivering medication to the spinal nerves through an implanted pump.
