Back Pain

Overview

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention worldwide, and Lahore is no exception. It can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes movement difficult. While most episodes of back pain improve with time and conservative care, persistent or severe pain requires proper evaluation to identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment. Back pain can originate from muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves, or the vertebral bones themselves.

Common Causes

• Muscle strain — the most common cause, often from heavy lifting or awkward movements
• Disc herniation — when the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes through the tougher exterior, potentially irritating nearby nerves
• Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on nerves
• Spondylosis — age-related degenerative changes in the spine
• Scoliosis — abnormal curvature of the spine
• Vertebral compression fractures — particularly in patients with osteoporosis

Red Flags

Certain symptoms accompanying back pain require urgent evaluation: numbness or weakness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, pain that radiates down the leg past the knee, fever accompanying back pain, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer. These may indicate serious underlying conditions such as cauda equina syndrome, spinal infection, or malignancy that require immediate attention.

Non-Surgical Management

The majority of back pain episodes respond well to conservative treatment. Dr. Hannan may recommend physiotherapy to strengthen core muscles and improve flexibility, activity modification, appropriate pain medication guided by your physician, and in some cases targeted injections. Surgery is considered only when conservative measures have failed, or when there is a clear structural problem that is amenable to surgical correction, such as a herniated disc causing significant nerve compression.