Unlike mechanical pain, inflammatory pain does not improve with rest. On the contrary, it usually worsens at rest, and may not respond to analgesics.
By: Maria Camila Sanchez
April 09, 2024
Back pain is one of the most frequent reasons for consultation, with the main cause being the strain of tissues, such as muscles or ligaments, due to lifting heavy objects, being overweight, sprains, pulls, excessive exercise, among other reasons. These types of injuries are usually benign and improve with rest and the use of pain relievers or muscle relaxants.
Inflammatory back pain
However, back pain can also be a sign of an underlying inflammatory health condition, such as arthritis or even cancer.
Dr. Guillermo Valenzuela, a rheumatologist and past president of the Florida Society of Rheumatology, explains that inflammatory back pain is characterized by pain that occurs at rest and changes from rest to activity. Patients may wake up with intense pain in the lumbar or cervical region, which responds to anti-inflammatories but requires continuous use of them.
This type of pain typically affects young people and can significantly impact the quality of their rest. It is important for individuals experiencing inflammatory back pain to seek consultation with a specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Main causes of inflammatory back pain
Ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis are among the main causes of inflammatory back pain. Additionally, conditions like psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and uveitis have been linked to back pain as well.
Back pain and its relationship with cancer
Medical literature suggests that back pain can be a presenting symptom of certain cancers, particularly when there are metastatic tumors in bones. Types of cancer such as lung, prostate, or breast cancer can manifest with back pain along with other symptoms like fever, neurological deficits, weight loss, and fatigue.
It is important for individuals experiencing persistent back pain, especially if it worsens at rest and does not respond to traditional pain relief methods, to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management. Complementary references can be found here and here.