Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

More than 90 percent of Americans will experience acute or chronic back pain at some point in their life, so it’s clear that back pain doesn’t discriminate. Whether you’re old, young, white, black, active or sedentary, back pain can come for you. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at five spinal problems that can happen to anyone, and more importantly, how you can treat these conditions.

5 Spine Problems That Could Happen To You

This isn’t meant to scare you, but it is meant to shine a light on the idea that if you don’t work to protect your spine, any of these conditions can develop. Here’s a look at five spine conditions that can happen to anyone.

1. Herniated Disc – Spinal discs play an important role in helping your spine move, but if these discs shift out of place because of abnormal pressure or poor posture over the years, a herniation can develop. These herniated discs can compress nearby spinal nerves and cause pain, numbness or muscle weakness. Herniated discs can oftentimes be treated with conservative treatments like rest and physical therapy, but they may also need to be treated with a minimally invasive decompressive operation.
2. Scoliosis – Scoliosis is categorized by an abnormal bend or curvature of the spine. It can affect patients young and old, and it affects roughly 9 million Americans. If your shoulders are uneven, if you walk with a hitch in your step or your body appears to be leaning in one direction when standing and looking in a mirror, you may be dealing with a type of curvature disorder. If it’s accompanied by pain and discomfort, talk to a spine specialist. Physical therapy and bracing can help to prevent further curvature and alleviate symptoms, and surgery can help correct more severe cases.
3. Whiplash – Whiplash is a common neck issue that can occur when your head snaps backwards with a great deal of force. This tends to happen if you are involved in a rear end accident. Your body stays in one location because of the seat belt, but your head and neck often feel the force of the impact. This can cause soft tissue tearing and muscle strains, which can lead to inhibited range of motion or pain with movement. Rest, physical therapy, painkillers and heating pads can help resolve most whiplash injuries.
4. Sciatica – Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower spine all the way down your leg, and if that nerve gets damaged or impinged, pain and area weakness can occur. Sciatic nerve pain can come about as a result of trauma during athletic activities, bodily changes during pregnancy or gradually over the years as our bodies are exposed to stress and pressure. Physical therapy is often the preferred treatment vessel, while anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxers can also help patients find relief.
5. Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is the most common spinal condition in patients over the age of 50, but it can also occur in younger populations if they are overweight, have poor posture and don’t get enough vitamins and nutrients on a regular basis from their diet. Osteoarthritis may not cause pain in and of itself, but it can weaken bones which can lead to an increased risk of fractures or degeneration. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and posture improvements are three great ways to ward off osteoarthritis.

For more information about any of the above conditions, or to talk to a specialist about your back pain, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and his talented team today.

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