About 8% of all adults—roughly 16 million people—experience chronic back pain.
Unsurprisingly, back issues are some of the most frequent complaints that physicians hear from patients. In fact, it is so common that it is the sixth costliest condition in the U.S., amounting to more than $12 billion per year. Most of these costs are related to days off work and disability payments.
If you often have back pain, you may wonder whether it is considered chronic. Read on to find out.
This Is When Back Pain Becomes Chronic
If you have back pain that lasts longer than three months, it is considered chronic. The pain may come and go, and you may experience temporary relief from time to time.
It is not always easy to determine where chronic pain comes from. Chronic back pain is typically age-related, but may also appear after an injury. Some of the most common conditions that cause chronic back pain include:
- Arthritis of the spine
- Spinal stenosis
- Disc problems
- Myofascial pain syndrome
There Are Two Main Types of Back Pain
The two main types of back pain include:
- Spine-related
- Muscle-related
Spine-related chronic back pain is usually characterized by:
- Pain while resting
- Pain while moving
- Radiating pain
- Dull, aching, or sharp pain
- Electric pain
- Weakness
If your chronic back pain is muscle-related, it may be characterized by:
- Pain while moving
- Muscle tightness
- Dull, aching, or sharp pain
- Pain while resting
Determining whether your pain is spine- or muscle-related will help you and your doctor develop the right treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, you may be able to recover long-term disability benefits to help pay for the expenses associated with your condition. Don’t delay—reach out to our office right away to learn how we can help you get what you need.
Call Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 to speak with an experienced attorney about your case.
