Also called the spine, the spine is a “bone rod” that supports the whole body. It includes seven cervical vertebrae at the neck, twelve dorsal vertebrae and five lumbar vertebrae located in the lower back.

These vertebrae are mobile, articulated relative to each other, thanks in particular to the intervertebral discs, which allow the stability and mobility of the joints. Many ligaments and muscles maintain the structure.

Pain affecting the spine is common. They are also called “back pain”. They can be isolated or irradiate in a limb. They can be diffuse or on the contrary very localized.

In the vast majority of cases, they are benign, linked to osteoarthritis of the vertebrae, but it is important to consult your doctor when pain persists. These pains can be indicative of serious conditions (tumor, vascular, infectious or inflammatory).

You should know that back pain as such affects about 80% of adults during their lifetime. It is a real public health problem, the prevalence of which has been increasing for 50 years.

In the majority of cases, pain in the spine is “common”, that is to say, benign. They are often the consequence of osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints (interapophyseal joints) or lesions of the intervertebral discs, which wear out with age.

The consultation with the doctor will allow to better specify the pain, in particular:

• its location (lumbar, cervical, dorsal, etc.)
• its character (mechanical, inflammatory, nocturnal, etc.)
• associated signs (stiffness, deformation, neurological signs, etc.)

An X-ray or MRI can help the doctor make the diagnosis.

There are certain signs that will particularly get the doctor’s attention, as they can be associated with serious conditions of the spine. Here are some “red flags” or warning signs to be aware of:

– lumbar pain in a person under 20 years or over 55 years, especially if it is the first lumbago or in an elderly woman (it may be a vertebral collapse related to a fracture caused by osteoporosis)

– presence of fever

– pain following a violent trauma

– pain of insidious installation, without triggering factor, or which worsens (inflammatory lesion, tumor, infectious)

– neurological signs

– associated chest pain

– pain radiating to one of the thighs (sciatica or cruralgia, herniated disc)

Rheumatological diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthropathies, infectious diseases (infectious spondylo-discitis), or even tumor diseases (vertebral lesion or intraspinal tumor) may be involved.

Back pain can be very disabling, even when it is mild. They alone are responsible for 10 to 20% of work stoppages in Europe.

It is therefore crucial not to let such pain drag on, and to quickly take the necessary measures to find the cause and alleviate it.

Everything obviously depends on the cause. With common, non-severe acute pain, it is important not to sit still for too long. It has been proven that prolonged rest, especially in bed, worsens pain rather than relieving it.

In the event of an acute attack (torticollis, lumbago), symptomatic management, intended to relieve the pain (painkillers of various categories), allows the resumption of normal activity as quickly as possible.

Analgesic treatment should be short-lived and you should not hesitate to see your doctor again if the pain persists beyond 4 to 7 days of treatment.

For chronic pain, spinal manipulation and osteopathy can be effective. Strength exercises, supervised by a physiotherapist or physiotherapist, can also be beneficial. Activities like yoga, swimming or the aquatic gym can also provide relief.