Smoking and its High Association to Low Back Pain

As we all know, smoking is not good for our health. It can lead to lung cancer, COPD, asthma, heart disease, stroke and other diseases. But did you know that smoking can also cause your chronic back pain? Aside from other causes such as lack of exercise, obesity, degenerative disease, and poor posture, smoking has been also highly associated with chronic back pain. Several studies have consistently shown that smokers are more likely to suffer chronic back pain than non-smokers.

According to the research presented in the annual meeting of American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, smoking history, hypertension and coronary artery disease were significantly associated with the development of lower back pain. Along with the high blood cholesterol levels, these causes, which are also risk factors of atherosclerosis or occlusion of the arteries, can be significantly associated with the development of lumbar spondylosis which leads to back pain. These findings support the theory that the mechanism of injury in low back pain is due to the damage to the vascular structures of the discs and joints.

Aside from damaging your vascular structures, smoking can also interfere with your brain processes which contributes to your back pain. A study led by the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern suggests that smoking interferes with a brain circuit associated with pain which makes smokers more prone to chronic back pain. In this study, the researchers examined the nucleus accumbens and the medial prefontal cortex, which corresponds to addictive behavior and motivated learning. The connection between these two brain regions are crucial in chronic pain development – that the stronger the connection between them, the less resilient an individual is to chronic pain. They found out that compared to nonsmoking participants, smokers had a stronger connection between the nucleus accumbens and the medial prefontal cortex. This increases the risk of the smokers three times more to develop chronic back pain than nonsmokers.

Several studies also showed that nicotine from cigarettes could affect the way the brain sends pain signals. The nicotine may also damage tissue in the lower back and elsewhere in the body by slowing down circulation and thus reducing the flow of nutrients to joints and muscles. It also disrupts the development of bone and tissue growth. In result, smoking also seemed to make people more vulnerable to pain in the neck, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips and knees.

The data may not pinpoint exactly the root cause, but the connection is quite clear – smokers who experience back pain should quit the bad habit as early as possible. Quitting smoking is a very critical step to the rehabilitation from low back pain. In addition, other treatments such as ice/hot therapy, strengthening your core, increasing your cardiovascular exercise, and taking pain relief medicines can temporarily relieve your back pain. For a long term treatment, chiropractors can help you reduce your back pain through spinal manipulation and adjustments. If you’re a smoker and have a chronic back pain, consulting a chiropractor can definitely help you find the right treatment plan for you.

So next time you go to light one up, remember, smoking is literally a pain in your neck, and in your back.

Cause of Back Pain: Spondylolisthesis

If you’re experiencing some type of back pain, you’re not alone. Back pain is one of the most common medical problems. According to research, 80% of American population will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. Back pain can range from dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Most back pains are not that serious and can be resolved with home remedies, especially those caused by muscle tightness and muscle fatigue. However, if you’re experiencing a chronic pain, your back pain can be a signal of a more serious underlying medical condition, like spondylolisthesis.

In about 5% of the adult population, a crack develops in one of the vertebrae and may later develop as a stress fracture. Due to the constant forces in the lower back, this fracture doesn’t heal like a normal bone. This stress fracture is called spondylolysis. Now, if the stress fracture is left untreated, it might fully separate, causing one vertebra to slip forward over the vertebra below it. Once the slippage occurs, this condition is called spondylolisthesis, or more commonly known as a “slipped disc.” This slippage is most common at the point where your fifth lumbar vertebra connects with your sacrum due to the downward pull of gravity. Because the stress fracture occurs before the forward slippage of the vertebral body, spondylolysis is generally a precursor to spondylolisthesis.

Causes of Spondylolisthesis

There are five main types of spondylolisthesis, each with a different cause. Spondylolisthesis can be caused by:

• a birth defect in the formation of part of the vertebra called the facet. This is called the dysplastic spondylolisthesis which can cause the vertebra to slip forward. 
• repetitive stress to the lumbar spine. This results in defect developing in the vertebra, particularly in pars interarticularis, which causes it to slip. This is called the isthmic spondylolisthesis and is more common in sports such as weightlifting, football and gymnastics.
• degeneration of joints through arthritis. The joints become worn and lose their ability to keep the alignment of spine in its normal position. This is also known as degenerative spondylolisthesis and is more common in older adults.
• a sudden injury or trauma to the spine. Also known as traumatic spondylolisthesis, the fracture of the pedicle, lamina or facets can cause the disc to slip forward.
• a bone abnormality. Pathologic spondylolisthesis is cause by structural weakness of the bone usually causes by a bone disease or a tumor.

Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis

The most common symptom of spondylolisthesis is a lower back pain. This usually gets worse with activity or prolong standing, and is often relieved by lying down. The pain can also extend into the buttocks or posterior thigh in some cases. Other symptoms include:

-          pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation radiating from your lower back to your back legs (sciatica)

-          hamstring tightness

-          neck stiffness

-          loss of flexibility of your spine

-          stiffness or tenderness in your back

-          muscle spasms in your back or neck

-          excessive curvature of the spine (kyphosis)

Treatment

Determining the right treatment will depend on your symptoms and how severe they are. In most cases, non-surgical treatment is recommended first before considering surgery. If you’re feeling pain in your back, take a short period of rest, avoiding activities such as bending, lifting, twisting, squatting, and playing sports. You can also take anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and/or analgesic drugs to control the pain. Simple stretching and strengthening exercises may also help increase the range of motion in your lower back and hamstrings. Doing hot/cold pack treatments may also help in relieving some pain and relax your muscle tightness. If your pain still persists and you’re unsure on what to do, consult a spinal healthspecialist like a chiropractor, who are specialized in providing non-surgical treatments through spinal manipulations and manual therapies. 

5 Most Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain doesn’t discriminate.  Whether you’re an athlete, a student, or someone who just loves gardening, there’s a high chance that you know how painful a back pain can be. According to experts, approximately 8 out of 10 people will experience a back pain at some point in their life. It is the leading cause of disability in men over 45 years old and the fifth most common reason for hospitalization. More than half of people with back pain say that it affects their daily activities, including driving and sleeping. Fortunately, most back pains are not that serious and can be resolved with enough rest, exercise and/or by taking a pain relief medication. However, if you ignore an acute pain, it can lead into chronic and more serious conditions like herniated discs.

It is important to know the causes of your back pain to help you figure out the right and effective self-help measure and knowing when to go to the doctor. Here are some of the common causes of back pain:

#1 - Muscle strain

Muscle strain is the most common cause of an acute back pain. It usually results from sudden movements like twisting, bending or lifting a heavy object and general poor body mechanics. When we overwork our muscles and causes a tear, it develops muscle spasms which is a way for our body to signal that we’re in pain and and protect the area from further injury. Most of the time, this can be resolved with rest and applying ice on the injured area and only lasts a few days to few weeks. If the symptoms last more than 6 weeks, this could be an indication of a much serious problem.

#2 - Degenerative disc diseases

The spinal vertebrae are separated by disks which act as a cushion and shock absorber for our vertebrae. These disks can degenerate over time from wear and tear and lose their cushioning ability. This problem can end up pinging a nerve which causes a pain that shoots down the back of the leg, commonly known as sciatica. Disc degeneration can also lead to slipped disc where one vertebrae slips forward over the one below it, which is also known as spondylolisthesis. Other symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and muscle spasms.

#3 - Poor posture

Whether you’re a student studying for an exam, an office worker crunching a deadline, or someone who’s binging a show in Netflix, you’re probably spending hours and hours sitting in front of a computer. Most of us has a hard time of maintaining a proper posture throughout the day. Some of us doesn’t even know what a proper posture is. Prolonged improper posture, especially when sitting, can cause a lower back pain. According to Dr. Jay Kang of Chiropractic Health Club in Riverside, CA, “a sitting or desk job is not as easy on your body as most people think.  Sitting actually puts more pressure on your lower back discs than standing.” Taking a break and doing regular stretches can save you from developing a back pain.

#4 - Poor health habits

Research shows that smoking and being overweight post as risk factors in developing a back pain. Carrying an extra weight means more pressure on your spine and can contribute to your back pain. Smoking has been associated as a contributing factor for poor blood circulation which can affect the flow of nutrients to joints and muscles in the back. Some studies also show that smoking can accelerate disc degeneration and chronic back pain due to increased brain activity that reduces resilience to pain.

#5 - Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage in a joint which can reduce its elasticity and can cause stiffening of the joint. The facet joints, which connects the vertebrae, can develop osteoarthritis and result in rubbing of the bones and produce an excruciating pain. This can lead to development of bone spurs and nerve impingement.

Knowing the cause of your back pain can help you develop preventative measures to avoid it. Going into surgery doesn’t guarantee to fix your back problem and should be your last option. You should consider seeking a spinal manipulation treatment first before jumping into surgery. A spine health specialist, such as a chiropractor, can help you determine the best treatment for your condition. There’s also a lot of home remedies you can do like icing your back and getting enough rest when dealing with an episode of back pain. And lastly, eating healthy, exercising and focusing in strengthening your core could also help relieving some pressure of your spine and reduce your back pain.