An estimated 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain in the world with lower back pain being the number one reported area of concern. Nearly 40% of adults in the United States refuse to seek help for that pain despite the fact that nearly 60% of people report that the pain negative impacts their quality of life.
One of the big sources of lower back pain is the sciatic nerve, which is actually made up of five nerve roots and is known to send pain shooting down the leg. Pain from the sciatic nerve is also known to cause people to fall as the shooting pain catches them by surprise and causes their leg to buckle. the nerve pain coming from the sciatic nerve can be very intense.
According to one report, 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their life. Aside from the sciatic nerve, lower back pain can also be caused by bulging discs, herniated discs, and degenerative disc disease.
Degenerative disc disease is a condition that causes the discs in the back to slowly deteriorate starting with the lowest ones and working its way up the back. Roughly 30% of all adults between the ages of 30 and 50 have some disc degeneration.
There are several different treatment options, which will vary based on the source and cause of the pain being experienced. The only way to properly diagnose the pain is to see a doctor for a full work-up including x-rays and possibly an MRI. Once a doctor experienced in back pain has the chance to fully evaluate your condition, they can make a pain treatment recommendation tailored to your needs.
Back pain can be so debilitating because it impacts your every movement. It is impossible to move around, walk, sit, or stand without engaging your back. When dealing with back pain on a daily basis, seeing a doctor is the must-do first step to recovery. Often times, people attribute back pain to ageing and assuming they just have to live with it, but that is not the case.
Another reason people will avoid seeing a doctor about their back pain is that they are afraid of needing surgery. However, there are many non-invasive or minimally invasive options depending on the source and cause of the pain. Assuming a major surgery is the only option is short-sighted.
Sometimes the treatment comes in the form of orthopedic care, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy treatment, or a minimally invasive spine surgery. It is impossible to predict what will need done until you see a doctor to explore your options.