Do you suffer from back pain? You’re among millions who face this struggle every day.
About 619 million people worldwide suffered from back pain in 2020.And this number is expected to reach 843 million in 2050. Over 70% of people develop low back pain at some point, which usually improves within two weeks.
However, about 20% have symptoms that persist after a year. That’s not all; 72% of adults with back pain reported feeling sad, worthless, or hopeless.
Given these staggering statistics, it’s clear that back pain has become more than just a common ailment—it’s a global epidemic.
With millions of people affected, back pain not only restricts daily activities but can also take a significant toll on mental health, productivity, and overall well-being.
As this condition continues to rise, finding effective solutions is more crucial than ever. This blog explores types of back pain, its symptoms, common causes, how it is treated, why it is challenging, and how virtual reality-based (VR) therapy can help you find pain relief.
Types of Back Pain
Back pain is categorized into different types depending on its location, duration, and underlying causes. Here are the various types of back pain an individual can suffer from:
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Acute Back Pain
Acute back pain is sudden and often results from an injury or strain. It typically lasts a few days to a few weeks1 and can range from mild to severe pain. Causes may include muscle strains, lifting something improperly, or a fall. This type of pain often resolves with rest and basic pain management techniques.
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Chronic Back Pain
Chronic back pain persists for 12 weeks1 or longer, even after the initial cause of pain has been treated. Pain may stem from long-term conditions like arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or nerve-related issues like sciatica. Chronic pain often requires a comprehensive treatment plan, including medical interventions and lifestyle adjustments.
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Referred Pain
Referred pain originates in one part of the body but is felt in another. For example, issues with the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract can sometimes cause back pain. Addressing the underlying cause is essential for pain relief.
Symptoms of Back Pain
Back pain can present itself in various ways, depending on the severity and underlying cause. Common symptoms include:
- Increased pain with lifting and bending1.
- Heightened pain when resting, sitting, or standing1.
- Erratic back pain
- Stiffness in the morning that lessens with some activity1.
- Pain that branches away from the back into the buttocks, leg, or hip1.
- Numbness or weakness in your legs or feet1.
Common Causes of Back Pain
While there are many ways to treat back pain, identifying the root cause is the critical first step in finding the right treatment plan for long-lasting relief.
About 8 percent of all adults experience persistent or chronic back pain and, as a result, are limited in certain everyday activities. Here are a few common causes of chronic back pain:
Poor Posture
Poor posture is a leading cause of back pain, whether slouching at your desk or hunching over your smartphone. When your spine is not aligned correctly, it puts undue strain on your muscles, ligaments, and discs, leading to discomfort and sometimes chronic pain.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Another significant cause of back pain is a lack of movement. Sitting for prolonged periods, particularly in non-ergonomic chairs or without regular breaks, can weaken your muscles and stress your spine. Over time, this can lead to stiffness and discomfort.
Injury
Injuries, such as sprains, strains, or more severe incidents like herniated discs are common causes of acute back pain. Whether it’s from lifting something heavy incorrectly or experiencing an accidental fall, injuries can result in inflammation, muscle spasms, or nerve compression. Treating injury-related pain requires a comprehensive approach, often involving rest, physical therapy, and sometimes more invasive interventions.
Chronic Conditions
Certain medical conditions, like arthritis, scoliosis, or degenerative disc disease, can also lead to chronic back pain. These conditions cause inflammation, joint pain, or structural abnormalities in the spine, leading to persistent discomfort. Managing these conditions involves long-term strategies addressing symptoms and underlying causes.
How Is Back Pain Treated?
Back pain treatment varies depending on the severity, duration, and cause of the pain. Here are a few common methods used to treat back pain:
Conventional Treatments
- Rest and Activity Modification: In the initial stages of acute pain, limiting activities that aggravate the discomfort and allowing the back to rest can help.
- Heat and Ice Therapy: Applying heat or ice packs to the affected area can reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain.
- Over-the-Counter Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin can temporarily relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, strengthening the back muscles, and correcting posture to alleviate pain. Therapists use exercises, stretches, and movement therapies to target specific areas of discomfort.
Advanced Medical Treatments
- Corticosteroid Injections: For severe inflammation or nerve compression, corticosteroid injections can relieve pain.
- Spinal Manipulation: Chiropractors or osteopaths may perform spinal adjustments to relieve pain by correcting misalignments in the spine.
- Surgery: In cases where conventional treatments are ineffective, surgery may be required to address structural issues like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Exercise and Stretching: Regular physical activity, especially core-strengthening exercises, can help prevent future back pain by improving muscle support for the spine.
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Changing your workspace or daily routine to improve posture and reduce strain on your back can help prevent or alleviate pain.
By understanding the types of back pain, recognizing the symptoms, and exploring available treatments, you can take proactive steps to manage and reduce your back pain effectively.
Why Is Treating Back Pain Challenging?
Treating back pain can be particularly difficult due to a variety of factors, many of which make it a complex and ongoing issue for both patients and healthcare providers.
Multiple Underlying Causes
Back pain often has multiple causes, ranging from nerve compression and disc degeneration to muscle strain. These factors are interconnected with the brain, nervous system, and hormones, which can make chronic pain difficult to pinpoint and treat effectively. Each case is unique, so treatment plans must be tailored to the individual’s specific condition, adding to the complexity.
Subjective Nature of Pain
Pain is subjective, and everyone feels it differently. This makes it hard for healthcare providers to measure or assess pain accurately. Patients may also have expectations of complete pain relief, which can be unrealistic, especially in cases of chronic pain where managing symptoms is the main goal rather than curing the condition.
Lack of Cause
One of the biggest challenges in treating chronic back pain is when there’s no clear, identifiable cause. This can make it challenging to choose the proper treatment. Without a specific diagnosis, treatment often becomes a process of trial and error, which can be frustrating for patients.
Shifting Treatment Goals
Initially, the primary goal in treating back pain may be to eliminate the pain entirely. However, as time passes, the focus often shifts to improving function and managing discomfort rather than achieving complete pain relief. Adapting treatment goals to the patient’s changing condition can add another layer of complexity.
Multidisciplinary Approach
A multidisciplinary approach is often necessary because chronic back pain can affect various aspects of a person’s life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This involves multiple healthcare professionals working together to create a comprehensive treatment plan, from medical doctors and physical therapists to psychologists. Coordinating this level of care can be challenging and time-consuming.
At XRHealth, we offer one place for all your therapeutic needs. Work with physical, occupational, and mental health providers in one clinic. Our coordinated care approach ensures that all professionals are aligned, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration.
Virtual Reality: An Innovative Pain Management Solution for Back Pain
Given the complexity of treating chronic back pain stemming from multiple causes, the subjective nature of pain, and often the lack of an identifiable root cause—virtual reality therapy offers a fresh, innovative pain management solution. Here are a few benefits of utilizing VR-enabled pain management for back pain.
Non-Invasive and Drug-Free Treatment
One of the most significant advantages of VR therapy is that it offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative for managing chronic pain. Many patients with long-term back pain rely on medications such as opioids, which can come with undesirable side effects and the risk of dependency. VR therapy, on the other hand, offers pain relief without the need for drugs, allowing patients to reduce or eliminate their reliance on medication.
Reduces Pain Perception
A study examined the effects of VR on patients with chronic back pain. The average pain intensity was measured at three points – pre-intervention, during, and post-intervention2. The average pain intensity was measured using a scale that addresses how pain affects activity, sleep, mood, and stress. By the end of the study, the VR group had lower average scores, indicating significant pain improvement2.
This showcases how VR therapy helps patients manage their chronic pain by reducing the brain’s perception of pain. Through immersive virtual environments, patients are distracted from their pain, focusing instead on calming or engaging experiences. This provides temporary relief and retrains the brain to respond less intensely to pain signals over time, leading to longer-lasting pain reduction.
Tailored to Individual Needs
One of the unique aspects of VR therapy is its adaptability. Each session can be modified to suit the patient’s preferences and therapeutic needs. Whether a guided meditation in a virtual nature scene or interactive exercises promoting mobility, VR offers a personalized approach that makes the therapy more engaging and enjoyable for chronic back pain sufferers.
Enhances Psychological Well-Being
Chronic back pain often leads to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress, which can further aggravate physical pain. VR therapy not only targets the physical aspects of pain but also has a positive impact on mental well-being. Research has shown that VR pain therapy has drastically improved emotional well-being, mental health, and energy levels3. Immersing patients in peaceful or stimulating virtual environments reduces stress and anxiety, helping them feel more relaxed and in control of their condition.
Improves Mobility and Functionality
Studies have revealed a significant improvement in participation, trunk functionality, average range of motion, and proprioception after VR intervention4. For patients with chronic back pain, improving mobility and restoring functionality is just as important as pain relief.
VR physical therapy can incorporate exercises that gently strengthen muscles and improve posture, helping patients regain their range of motion without aggravating pain. This makes it a powerful tool in rehabilitation, supporting both physical recovery and long-term mobility.
Convenient and Accessible
VR therapy can be delivered in various settings, from clinics to homes, making it a convenient option for many patients. For those who prefer the comfort and privacy of their homes, VR therapy systems can be used independently or with minimal guidance from a healthcare provider, allowing for ongoing treatment that seamlessly fits into their daily lives. XRHealth is a fully remote VR-based therapy clinic. Patients work with licensed clinicians to develop personalized pain to address their specific symptoms and therapy goals.
Long-Lasting Relief
A clinical study assigned 179 participants with chronic lower back pain to two eight-week VR programs. At the end of treatment, 66% of participants reported a greater than 30% reduction in pain5. At one-month follow-up, all participants reported a 30% reduction in pain. At the two and three-month follow-up marks, the results remained the same with the exception of pain intensity5.
Unlike temporary fixes such as pain medications, VR therapy has been shown to provide long-lasting pain relief by addressing the brain’s pain processing mechanisms. With regular use, chronic back pain patients can experience sustained improvement in pain levels and overall quality of life.
If you suffer from back pain, VR therapy can help you manage it effectively. By combining pain relief, improved mental well-being, and enhanced mobility, VR therapy offers a promising, noninvasive, and personalized approach to effective pain management.
Transform the Way You Manage Back Pain with XRHealth
XRHealth is a telehealth therapy clinic designed to help you manage pain through innovative, patient-centered treatments. Our VR-based medical environments offer a revolutionary approach to acute and chronic pain management, helping you take control of your well-being.
Our virtual clinic provides a multidisciplinary approach to care, offering coordinated treatments that address your physical and mental health needs. Our team includes mental health providers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, all working together to ensure a holistic approach to your treatment.
With over three decades of research supporting virtual reality in healthcare, our clinic offers evidence-based solutions that deliver the highest level of care. You can access professional support through real-time appointments with licensed therapists, ensuring seamless communication throughout your plan of care.
Discover how our approach can support your journey toward better health.
Contact our clinic today
