Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Back pain can come in many different forms, and one of the most common types of pain that patients describe to us is dull, chronic pain. Dull back pain may not seem as serious as sharp or shooting pain, but it certainly shouldn’t be ignored. Left untreated, and it’s very likely that your dull back pain will increase in intensity and become more immobilizing.

But what could be causing this dull, chronic type of back pain? In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some common back conditions that may present with dull and chronic back pain.

Causes Of Dull Back Pain

It’s important to remember that the spine is an extremely complex system, and symptoms are rarely uniform for all patients. With that said, we’re going to take a closer look at a few conditions that commonly present with a low but chronic discomfort somewhere along the back.

• Degenerative Disc Disease – As we’ve talked about on the blog in the past, degenerative disc disease is a fairly common condition because everyone experiences some natural disc degeneration over the course of their life as a result of normal wear and tear. When this happens, the soft spinal discs that separate our vertebrae from one another and aid in spinal mobility can begin to weaken and become more brittle. This can lead to decreased flexibility or discomfort with normal movements. Because this condition tends to develop slowly despite being exacerbated by things like poor posture or obesity, it oftentimes presents with dull back pain that can either be confronted head on or allowed to worsen if ignored.
• Posture-Related Conditions – Poor posture can contribute to or worsen a number of different conditions, but it can also be a driving force behind your dull back pain. When you have poor posture and your spine is out of alignment, different areas within your spinal column will have to handle more stress. Oftentimes this extra strain falls on your cervical or lumbar spine, and over time, this can wear down structures or lead to muscle weakening. If your lower back muscles are constantly handling additional strain because of your posture, they can become weaker and will provide less support and stability to your spinal column, which can lead to dull back pain sensations. Fixing your posture can help ensure muscles aren’t overloaded and avoid additional issues that are linked to poor spinal alignment.
• Spinal Stenosis – Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spinal canal begins to narrow. Numerous spinal nerves need to pass unimpeded through this spinal passage, so if this space narrows and nerves become compressed, symptoms can develop. While it can be caused by acute injury, oftentimes it develops more slowly as a result of posture problems, obesity and natural aging, which is why dull pain is a common first symptom. Getting regular exercise, striving to maintain a healthy weight and having ideal posture are all helpful ways to help prevent or slow down spinal canal narrowing.
• Spinal Fractures – You may assume that a vertebral fracture involves sharp or intense pain, and as we mentioned above, symptoms are different for every person, so it’s certainly possible that your fracture presents with intense pain. That said, oftentimes it doesn’t take much trauma for an older individual suffering from some bone density loss to suffer a fracture. In fact, it’s not uncommon for patients to not even realize they suffered a fracture until they finally head to a doctor’s office because of their chronic back pain. Spinal fractures as a result of a fall, a car accident or a collision during athletics can all lead to dull back pain.

These are just a few of the most common conditions that can present with dull back pain, and it’s important to realize that dull back pain is never normal. It may not seem like a major issue, but unless you proactively treat the problem, odds are symptoms will linger and possibly get worse.

Instead, connect with a spine specialist who can help you figure out what’s going on in your spine, and better yet, set you up with an individualized care plan for helping you overcome your issue. For more information, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Sinicropi, reach out to the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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