Back pain is an issue many Americans are plagued with, and it can be difficult to predict. It may only last a day or linger on and off for months. There are two forms: chronic and acute. These can arise for a number of reasons, and it’s important to understand which you’re dealing with, so you make the necessary changes.

A Guide to Acute & Chronic Back Pain

What Is Acute Pain?

Acute pain is short-lived. It could be a single sharp, stabbing pain in your lower back or a muscle strain that creates on-and-off discomfort for weeks or months. Whatever the frequency or severity, it won’t last.

Acute pain often develops following a sudden injury to the muscles, spine, and soft tissue. Examples include compression fractures, herniated discs, pain from pressure on the sciatic nerve, and general muscle pain. Longer-term examples that are still acute include lower back pain that develops during pregnancy, back pain from a kidney stone, or frequent muscle spasms.

It’s important that you rest your back muscles so they can recover. Many patients also see a chiropractor to manage the acute pain. It may only take a spinal readjustment or massage to resolve the majority of the discomfort. Prevention is a priority, and the chiropractor will recommend making healthy lifestyle choices and being mindful of ways to avoid reinjury in the future.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Back pain is considered chronic when it lasts longer than six months. It usually develops from identifiable injuries, such as a muscle tear. There are also mechanical causes, such as osteoarthritis, disk disease, and spinal stenosis. A chiropractor or physician will often confirm these through X-rays, MRIs, and other diagnostic services.

Chronic pain is often mistaken for acute pain because there are breaks in the discomfort. You may feel constant pain for weeks and then suddenly enjoy a month without pain. This is often due to injuries that are never fully treated or that are easily aggravated again, such as a muscle strain. A chiropractor is your best bet for managing this pain. They can reduce compression on the spine, and with realignments, reduce tension on the surrounding muscles and nerves. They’ll offer recovery advice including strength-building to improve spinal and core health.

If your back pain is becoming overwhelming, contact The Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center of Cincinnati in Ohio. This practice offers a wide scope of back pain treatments and has served patients since 1988. Dr. Mark Korchok can help with sports injuries, lower back pain, neck pain, and general physical therapy. You can learn more about treatment options online or call (513) 677-2200 to schedule an exam. Connect on Facebook to receive more health tips.