Back pain is a common problem that afflicts some 80% of the adult population at some point in their lives. Many people in Singapore may suffer from mild back pain from time to time, and its exact cause may be difficult to diagnose.
In most cases, it is a minor problem caused by a strain to the muscle or ligament. When severe back pain occurs, it may result from pressure on nerves due to the misalignment of the bones in the back, warranting immediate medical attention.
Overview of the Back
The back can be subdivided into the upper (thoracic) and lower (lumbar) back. The bones in the back protect delicate nerves and support body weight.
- Upper Back (Thoracic): The upper back supports the chest and connects the neck with the lower back. It is made up of 12 thoracic vertebrae and connected to the ribs, allowing for the rotational movements of the torso.
- Lower Back (Lumbar): The lower back connects the spinal column with the pelvis, transmitting the weight to the legs. It is comprised of 5 lumbar vertebrae and supported by ligaments and muscles. The lower back allows for the bending (forward and backward) of the torso.
Causes of Back Pain in Singapore
Back pain may be due to spinal (thoracic or lumbar) or extra-spinal causes (referred pain from other organs). For many people in Singapore, spinal causes of back pain may be associated with a shooting pain or numbness in one or both legs (sciatica). These symptoms can be due to nerve compression in the back. For others, the pain may just be localized to their back.
Pain in the back may involve either the upper or lower back. The spinal column is made up of multiple spinal segments, including two adjacent vertebral bodies and an intervening jelly-like cushion of the intervertebral disc with surrounding ligaments, as well as joints between two bones, called facets. Pain may arise due to any process in the spine that gives rise to unnatural stresses on the spinal column. It can range from discogenic causes due to wear and tear of the intervertebral disc and its bulging out into the spinal canal, to other causes of pain due to bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. The bones supporting the back may also undergo wear and tear as a result of excessive loading, causing bony spurs to form.
Mechanical Back Pain
At times, you may experience back pain only after certain activities, which may relieve after taking rest. This type of pain is called mechanical pain, referring to pain arising due to the moving parts of your bones.
Non-Mechanical Back Pain
Non-mechanical back pain arises due to conditions like tumors and infections. In non-mechanical back pain, the pain may be continuous or intermittent but is not related to your activity levels. For some, the pain may shoot down their legs like a sharp electric current when the nerves get pressed at the back at their site of origin, and pain travels along the path of the whole nerve.
Preventing Back Pain with Good Posture
Back pain is often associated with everyday movement and posture. Good posture involves training your body to stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions where there is less stress exerted on supporting muscles and ligaments, reducing back pain.
Learn more about What is Good Posture.
When to Seek Medical Help for Back Pain in Singapore
Consult a medical professional if you are experiencing persistent back pain or other associated symptoms which may include:
A spine specialist will be able to determine the cause of your back pain so that remedial measures can be taken to prevent further worsening. He or she will assess your condition and find out what the pain generators are before starting any treatment.
Adjunct A/Professor Hee Hwan Tak is a spine surgeon whose clinical practice is 100 percent on spinal disorders in the paediatric and adult population.
He manages all types of spinal disorders, for example, degenerative spine (including cervical spine or neck), spinal fractures, spinal tumor, spinal infections, spinal deformities (including scoliosis).
To consult Dr Hee regarding your back condition in Singapore, make an appointment at +65 67370680