How does smoking affect back pain. What is the connection between smoking and chronic pain. Can quitting smoking improve spine health. How does nicotine impact spinal discs.

The Relationship Between Smoking and Chronic Pain

Smoking has been linked to numerous chronic pain conditions, including back pain. A 2000 study review found a positive association between active smoking and back pain in 36 out of 46 studies examined. Additionally, a 2016 study identified smoking as a risk factor for lumbar pain and sciatica.

Why does smoking contribute to chronic pain? The answer lies in how nicotine and other toxic substances in cigarettes affect our cells:

• Nicotine can shrink blood vessels, restricting the flow of crucial nutrients like calcium to spinal discs
• Carbon monoxide from tobacco can damage spinal disc cells and blood vessel linings
• These effects lead to cell malnutrition and degeneration, impacting spinal cushions and vertebral discs

Over time, this cellular damage can result in conditions like degenerative disc disease (DDD), which often causes lower back pain or spinal stiffness.

How Smoking Impacts Spine Health

Beyond direct effects on spinal discs, smoking can negatively impact overall spine health in several ways:

Increased Risk of Osteoporosis

Smoking is a well-known risk factor for osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones over time. This decreased bone density can lead to chronic back pain and increase the risk of spinal fractures.

Vertebral Compression Fractures

Smokers with developing osteoporosis are more likely to experience vertebral compression fractures. These occur when weakened vertebrae collapse, potentially causing chronic pain, disability, or limited mobility.

Reduced Physical Activity

Research has shown an inverse relationship between smoking and physical activity. Smokers are less likely to engage in regular exercise, which is crucial for maintaining bone density and overall spine health.

The “Positive Feedback Loop” of Smoking and Pain

Researchers have identified a troubling cycle between smoking and chronic pain:

1. Some individuals use chronic pain as a motivator to smoke, seeking temporary relief
2. However, smoking itself can cause or exacerbate chronic pain conditions
3. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle that can be difficult to break

This “positive feedback loop” traps millions of Americans, potentially causing far more long-term pain than it alleviates in the short term.

Symptoms of Smoking-Related Spinal Issues

People with osteoporosis or other smoking-related spinal conditions may experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Pain throughout the torso or lower back
• Reduced mobility or flexibility in the spine
• Increased risk of fractures, especially in the vertebrae
• Chronic stiffness or aching in the back
• Potential height loss due to vertebral compression

The Benefits of Quitting Smoking for Spine Health

While the effects of smoking on spine health can be severe, quitting can lead to significant improvements:

Improved Circulation

Quitting smoking allows blood vessels to dilate properly, improving circulation to spinal discs and promoting better nutrient delivery.

Cellular Regeneration

With toxic substances removed, the body can begin to repair and regenerate damaged cells in the spine and throughout the body.

Increased Physical Activity

Many people who quit smoking find it easier to engage in regular exercise, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones and a healthy spine.

Reduced Inflammation

Smoking cessation can lead to a decrease in overall bodily inflammation, potentially alleviating some forms of back pain.

Is it ever too late to quit smoking for spine health? While earlier cessation provides the most benefits, quitting at any age can lead to improvements in overall health and potentially slow the progression of smoking-related spinal issues.

Strategies for Quitting Smoking to Improve Back Health

For those looking to quit smoking and improve their spine health, several strategies can be effective:

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): Using patches, gum, or lozenges to manage cravings
• Prescription Medications: Consulting with a doctor about medications designed to aid in smoking cessation
• Behavioral Therapy: Working with a therapist to address the psychological aspects of nicotine addiction
• Support Groups: Joining local or online communities of people also trying to quit
• Gradual Reduction: Slowly decreasing cigarette consumption over time

Which smoking cessation method is most effective for protecting spine health? The most successful approach often combines multiple strategies and is tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences.

Alternative Pain Management Techniques for Smokers

For smokers struggling with back pain who are not yet ready to quit, several alternative pain management techniques may provide relief:

Physical Therapy

Working with a physical therapist can help strengthen the muscles supporting the spine and improve overall back health.

Acupuncture

Some individuals find acupuncture effective in managing chronic back pain, though results can vary.

Mindfulness and Meditation

These practices can help manage pain perception and reduce stress, which often exacerbates back pain.

Yoga and Stretching

Regular gentle stretching and yoga can improve flexibility and reduce back pain for some individuals.

Can these alternative techniques completely offset the negative effects of smoking on spine health? While these methods may provide some relief, they cannot fully counteract the cellular damage caused by smoking. Quitting remains the most effective way to improve overall spine health.

The Role of Diet in Smoking-Related Back Pain

Diet plays a crucial role in overall spine health, and its importance is heightened for smokers dealing with back pain:

Calcium-Rich Foods

Consuming adequate calcium is essential for maintaining bone density, which is particularly important for smokers at risk of osteoporosis.

Vitamin D

This vitamin is crucial for calcium absorption. Smokers may benefit from increased vitamin D intake through diet or supplements.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can help combat the inflammation often associated with smoking and back pain.

Hydration

Proper hydration is essential for maintaining the health of spinal discs, which can be compromised by smoking.

How significant is the impact of diet on smoking-related back pain? While a healthy diet cannot completely negate the effects of smoking, it can play a substantial role in supporting overall spine health and potentially mitigating some smoking-related damage.

The Future of Research on Smoking and Back Pain

As our understanding of the relationship between smoking and back pain continues to evolve, several areas of research show promise:

Genetic Factors

Researchers are investigating whether certain genetic factors may make some smokers more susceptible to back pain than others.

E-cigarettes and Vaping

As alternative nicotine delivery systems gain popularity, studies are examining their potential impacts on spine health compared to traditional cigarettes.

Long-term Recovery Studies

Ongoing research is tracking the long-term spinal health outcomes of individuals who quit smoking at various ages.

Personalized Treatment Approaches

Future studies may lead to more tailored approaches for addressing smoking-related back pain based on individual factors.

What potential breakthroughs might we see in treating smoking-related back pain? While it’s impossible to predict with certainty, advancements in regenerative medicine and personalized treatment protocols show particular promise in this field.

As research continues to shed light on the complex relationship between smoking and back pain, one fact remains clear: quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps an individual can take to protect and improve their spine health. For those struggling with back pain and nicotine addiction, seeking support from healthcare professionals can provide valuable guidance in addressing both issues simultaneously.

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February 11, 2022

By Justin Field, MD

Smoking is linked to numerous chronic pain symptoms and diseases. As of 2014, over 16 million Americans were living with a smoking-related illness. Many people who smoke cigarettes or use vaping devices also report a common symptom — back pain. This commonality has led many researchers to study the relationship between smoking and back pain.

People who experience back pain from smoking may also have undetected spinal conditions. This chronic pain may indicate degenerating cells or worsening bone health, both of which can irrevocably harm your body. However, if patients decrease their nicotine intake early enough, they could see and feel the difference of a healthier spine.

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The Link Between Smoking and Chronic Pain

Smoking cigarettes regularly ensures a consistent flow of nicotine to your brain. People who smoke inhale about 1-2 milligrams of nicotine per cigarette, equaling up to 20-40 milligrams per pack. Inhaling tobacco also releases tar and carbon monoxide into your lungs, both toxic substances that can affect your overall health in many ways.

Many researchers have found a link between smoking and chronic pain. Because cigarettes and tobacco products are filled with toxic inhalants, smoking creates many health conditions that result in persistent pain. Smoking-related diseases are certainly not limited to back pain, as cigarette ingredients can have many effects on the human body.

The scientific explanation for smoking and chronic pain comes down to your cells. Nicotine and tobacco can deprive your cells of their necessary functions, which weakens their ability to perform throughout your body. Your diminished cells can create chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease and oral pain.

Some researchers find that smoking and pain exist in a “positive feedback loop.” Some people use their chronic pain as a motivator to smoke, while smoking can also cause chronic pain conditions. This deadly cycle traps millions of Americans every day and can cause far more pain in the long run than it solves.

Can Smoking Cause Back Pain?

Current smokers may report symptoms of lower back pain that seem unrelated to their smoking habits. However, a 2000 study review found a positive association between active smoking and back pain. Out of 46 studies, 36 found that both men and women had experienced back pain from smoking. Additionally, a 2016 study found that smoking is a risk factor for lumbar pain and sciatica.

So, does smoking cause back pain? It definitely increases the risk of back pain and spinal disc degeneration. Toxic substances, like the carbon monoxide from tobacco, can damage spinal disc cells and blood vessels’ interior lining.  Nicotine can shrink blood vessels, which restricts the flow of crucial nutrients like calcium.

Over time, cells degenerate or die, which impacts spinal cushions and breaks down the vertebral discs. This process can lead to degenerative disc disease (DDD), which often causes lower back pain or stiffness in your spine. Overall, smoking cigarettes causes cell malnutrition, wreaking havoc on your spinal cushions and vertebrae.

Effects of Smoking on Spine Health

Some people who smoke will not experience a direct connection between smoking and lower back pain like DDD. However, smoking-related diseases can be tied to several spinal conditions that create a similar effect.

Smoking is a well-known risk factor for osteoporosis, a disease that weakens your bones over time. This decreased bone density can lead to chronic back pain or spinal fractures. Smokers with developing osteoporosis are more likely to experience a life-changing vertebral compression fracture. This injury happens when weakened vertebrae induce a spinal collapse. A vertebral compression fracture can create chronic pain, lead to a disability or limit your mobility.

Aside from the effects of osteoporosis, smoking can reduce your physical activity and create other forms of chronic back pain. Researchers have found that smoking and physical activity have an inverse relationship, which means that people who smoke are less likely to be active adults. Because regular exercise improves bone density, smoking could negatively affect a person’s spinal health both physically and behaviorally.

PEOPLE WITH OSTEOPOROSIS OR OTHER BONE-RELATED ISSUES MAY FEEL A RANGE OF SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING:

• Pain throughout the torso or lower back
• Weakness in the legs
• Pain when sitting, bending over or lifting items
• Feelings of distress, anxiety or depression

How Smoking Affects the Back’s Ability to Heal

Some active smokers will recognize intense lower back pain and assume the damage has been done. Fortunately, you can alleviate your back pain and mitigate the risks of further spinal degeneration. The best way to begin healing is to stop or significantly reduce smoking.

Recovering from chronic back pain may involve any range of physical therapies, surgeries or habit changes. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your body. Researchers have found that smoking cessation can improve spine health and reduce the risk of diseases like sciatica. You may see excellent progress without surgery when you quit smoking.

Your chronic pain recovery begins when you get rid of the toxic substance that has weakened your body over time. Studies have found that smoking can increase your pain sensitivity, meaning your chronic back pain may feel worse because you smoke. In turn, you may feel less pain once you quit smoking and speak with a specialist about your lower back pain.

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Smoking and chronic pain have what some researchers call a comorbid relationship. Pain can lead people to begin smoking and may be similar to what they feel later in life because of smoking. This cycle can cause irreversible damage to your spine.

Chronic back pain is a prevalent condition that affects millions of adults. Its worst cases can prevent you from enjoying many simple pleasures of life. At Desert Institute for Spine Care, we treat hundreds of patients with chronic back pain. Our personalized diagnostic approach finds the source of your pain and helps you address solutions or appropriate treatment.

If you smoke and have noticed symptoms of chronic back pain, our specialists can help you identify solutions. We begin with the root and create an individualized plan to help you feel better. We start with minimally-invasive treatments, such as medication or therapeutic injections, but can also perform innovative surgical procedures.

DISC specialists are Arizona’s leaders in minimally invasive spine care. Our procedures range from traditional treatments to complex spine surgery. We will always recommend the least invasive option to alleviate your pain. If you want to know more about our services, you can contact us online. Call 602-944-2900 if you have questions.

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Does Smoking Cause Low Back Pain?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 14% of Americans are current smokers, and therefore at risk for a number of smoking-related conditions. Low back pain is one such condition that has a strong association with smoking.

Specific findings in research show:

• The more frequently one smokes, the greater the risk of back pain

  ¹
  Hurtubise J, McLellan K, Durr K, Onasanya O, Nwabuko D, Ndisang JF. The Different Facets of Dyslipidemia and Hypertension in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2016;18(12):82. doi:10.1007/s11883-016-0632-z

• Smokers with low back pain also tend to have pain in the leg, usually extending below the knee

  ²
  Dionne CE, Laurin D, Desrosiers T, et al. Vitamin C is not the Missing Link Between Cigarette Smoking and Spinal Pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018;43(12):E712-E721. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002466

Smoking may change the level of nutrients, such as cholesterol and vitamins, in the blood and the health of organs, such as the heart and the lungs. While these metabolic changes may help explain the link between smoking and a degenerating spine, it remains to be seen if smoking is a cause of back pain.

Smoking Alters Blood Flow and May Lead to Back Pain

Consequences of smoking may indirectly contribute to the development of degenerative lumbar spine problems. These consequences include, but are not limited to

¹
Hurtubise J, McLellan K, Durr K, Onasanya O, Nwabuko D, Ndisang JF. The Different Facets of Dyslipidemia and Hypertension in Atherosclerosis. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2016;18(12):82. doi:10.1007/s11883-016-0632-z
^,
3
Virdis A, Giannarelli C, Neves MF, Taddei S, Ghiadoni L. Cigarette smoking and hypertension. Curr Pharm Des. 2010;16(23):2518-2525. doi:10.2174/138161210792062920
^,
4
Libby P, Buring JE, Badimon L, et al. Atherosclerosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2019;5(1):56. Published 2019 Aug 16. doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0106-z
^,
5
Moradinazar M, Pasdar Y, Najafi F, et al. Association between dyslipidemia and blood lipids concentration with smoking habits in the Kurdish population of Iran. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):673. Published 2020 May 13. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-08809-z
:

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure. A history of cigarette smoking impairs the ability of the endothelium (the thin membrane of cells lining the blood vessels) to regulate blood pressure, causing hypertension (elevated blood pressure) in some individuals.
• Abnormally high blood cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia, can go undetected but increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease.
• Atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is aggravated by hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis causes decreased blood flow to organs and tissues and may result in ischemia. Atherosclerosis in the aorta (a main artery of the heart) and ischemia in the leg have long been considered potential causes of low back pain and intervertebral disc degeneration.

⁶
Kurunlahti M, Tervonen O, Vanharanta H, Ilkko E, Suramo I. Association of atherosclerosis with low back pain and the degree of disc degeneration. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1999;24(20):2080-2084. doi:10.1097/00007632-199910150-00003
^,
7
Gahier M, Hersant J, Hamel JF, et al. A Simple Scale for Screening Lower-Extremity Arterial Disease as a Possible Cause of Low Back Pain: a Cross-sectional Study Among 542 Subjects. J Gen Intern Med. 2020;35(7):1963-1970. doi:10.1007/s11606-020-05670-z
^,
8
Kauppila LI, McAlindon T, Evans S, Wilson PW, Kiel D, Felson DT. Disc degeneration/back pain and calcification of the abdominal aorta. A 25-year follow-up study in Framingham. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1997;22(14):1642-1649. doi:10.1097/00007632-199707150-00023

Passive smoking,

⁹
Attard R, Dingli P, Doggen CJM, Cassar K, Farrugia R, Wettinger SB. The impact of passive and active smoking on inflammation, lipid profile and the risk of myocardial infarction. Open Heart. 2017;4(2):e000620. Published 2017 Aug 8. doi:10.1136/openhrt-2017-000620
also called second-hand smoking, and waterpipe tobacco smoking,

¹⁰
Hallit S, Hallit R, Haddad C, et al. Previous, current, and cumulative dose effect of waterpipe smoking on LDL and total cholesterol. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019;26(8):8194-8201. doi:10.1007/s11356-019-04311-1
^,
11
Al Ali R, Vukadinović D, Maziak W, et al. Cardiovascular effects of waterpipe smoking: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2020;21(3):453-468. doi:10.31083/j.rcm.2020.03.135
commonly known as hookah, similarly contribute to abnormal blood pressure and cholesterol. The combination of cigarette smoking and waterpipe smoking may increase cholesterol levels higher than either type of smoking alone.

¹²
Hallit S, Zoghbi M, Hallit R, et al. Effect of exclusive cigarette smoking and in combination with waterpipe smoking on lipoproteins. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2017;7(4):269-275. doi:10.1016/j.jegh.2017.08.006

Smoking Weakens the Spine’s Health

Smoking reduces the nutrient content of the blood that is delivered to the intervertebral discs and joints of the spine. Studies have drawn conclusions about whether or not the following effects of smoking play a role in back pain:

• Low vitamin D. Smoking alters the speed of vitamin D production,

  ¹³
  Hansdottir S, Monick MM, Lovan N. Powers LS, Hunninghake, GW. Smoking disrupts vitamin D metabolism in the lungs [abstract]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010;181:A1425
  the amount of vitamin D circulating in the blood,

  ¹⁴
  Ren W, Gu Y, Zhu L, et al. The effect of cigarette smoking on vitamin D level and depression in male patients with acute ischemic stroke. Compr Psychiatry. 2016;65:9-14. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2015.09.006
  and the number of vitamin D receptors.

  ¹⁵
  Haley KJ, Manoli SE, Tantisira KG, Litonjua AA, Nguyen P, Kobzik L, Weiss ST. Maternal smoking causes abnormal expression of the vitamin D receptor [abstract]. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009;179:A5874
  Gradually, these effects may lead to vitamin D deficiency. Moderate deficiency of vitamin D has the potential to decrease bone density, which may contribute to the development of bone fractures.

  ¹⁶
  Reid IR. Vitamin D Effect on Bone Mineral Density and Fractures. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2017;46(4):935-945. doi:10.1016/j.ecl.2017.07.005
  The association between vitamin D deficiency and low back pain is well-established,

  ¹⁷
  Gokcek E, Kaydu A. Assessment of Relationship between Vitamin D Deficiency and Pain Severity in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Retrospective, Observational Study [published correction appears in Anesth Essays Res. 2018 Oct-Dec;12(4):970]. Anesth Essays Res. 2018;12(3):680-684. doi:10.4103/aer.AER_96_18
  but may only exist for certain subgroups such as women less than 60 years old

  ¹⁸
  Xu HW, Yi YY, Zhang SB, et al. Does vitamin D status influence lumbar disc degeneration and low back pain in postmenopausal women? A retrospective single-center study. Menopause. 2020;27(5):586-592. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001499
  or individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency.

  ¹⁹
  Kanaujia V, Yadav RK, Verma S, Jain S, Patra B, Neyaz O. Correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and nonspecific chronic low back pain: A retrospective observational study. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(2):893-897. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1478_20

• Low vitamin C. Smokers generally metabolize vitamin C faster and have lower vitamin C levels in the blood as a result of the rapid metabolism.

  ²⁰
  Schectman G, Byrd JC, Gruchow HW. The influence of smoking on vitamin C status in adults. Am J Public Health. 1989;79(2):158-162. doi:10.2105/ajph.79.2.158
  While vitamin C has been a factor of interest in low back pain research, vitamin C deficiency does not explain the link between smoking and back pain.

More research is needed to explore the possible ways that smoking leads to prolonged and more frequent episodes of back pain. Targeted treatments, such as vitamin C supplements, can be tailored to current or former smokers with back pain or at risk of developing back pain, once the association is better understood.

Smoking also has certain effects on brain circuitry. Back pain is more likely to become chronic in smokers, possibly due to the cooperation of specific areas of the brain— the nucleus accumbens and the medial prefrontal cortex.

²¹
Petre B, Torbey S, Griffith JW, et al. Smoking increases risk of pain chronification through shared corticostriatal circuitry. Hum Brain Mapp. 2015;36(2):683-694. doi:10.1002/hbm.22656
These regions of the brain are known for their role in many cognitive functions, such as reward, addiction, and habit formation. The connection between these brain regions weakens after quitting smoking.

Back Pain After Quitting Smoking

The habit of smoking is an important obstacle to overcome, and one way that smoking cessation may pay off is with a reduced risk of back pain.

Former daily smokers may experience generalized body pain, including back pain, that continues or begins after smoking cessation.

²²
Perski O, Garnett C, Shahab L, Brown J, West R. Associations between smoking status and bodily pain in a cross-sectional survey of UK respondents. Addict Behav. 2020;102:106229. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106229
After quitting, nicotine withdrawal causes the level of serotonin in the brain to decrease. With lower serotonin levels, the sensitivity to pain increases.

²³
Wurtman RJ, Wurtman JJ. Brain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression. Obes Res. 1995;3 Suppl 4:477S-480S. doi:10.1002/j.1550-8528.1995.tb00215.x
Smokers with chronic pain may be advised to quit smoking gradually or to alleviate withdrawal symptoms using nicotine patches.

Watch Quitting Smoking: A Must for People with Back Pain Video

The neurological and vascular effects of smoking on the back can be reduced by quitting, but cannot be fully reversed. Both current and former smokers are at risk for numerous conditions, including low back pain and degenerative disc disease, because of the lingering effects of smoking.

Smoking and Low Back Pain Among Certain Groups

Factors such as age, gender, and history of spinal conditions may turn the dial up on the influence that smoking has on the spine. Research studies of hundreds of individuals have supported the following findings:

• Adolescents who smoke were up to 2. 4 times as likely to experience low back pain compared to nonsmoking adolescents.

  ²⁴
  Feldman DE, Rossignol M, Shrier I, Abenhaim L. Smoking. A risk factor for development of low back pain in adolescents. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1999;24(23):2492-2496. doi:10.1097/00007632-199912010-00011

• Adult smokers were about 30% more likely to have low back pain compared to nonsmoking adults.

  ²⁵
  Shiri R, Karppinen J, Leino-Arjas P, Solovieva S, Viikari-Juntura E. The association between smoking and low back pain: a meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2010;123(1):. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.05.028

• Men who smoke were 18% more likely to have low back pain, 25% more likely to have disc degeneration, 33% more likely to have spinal instability, 49% more likely to have spondylolisthesis, and 52% more likely to have spinal stenosis compared to nonsmoking men.

  ²⁶
  Kwon JW, Ha JW, Lee TS, Moon SH, Lee HM, Park Y. Comparison of the Prevalence of Low Back Pain and Related Spinal Diseases among Smokers and Nonsmokers: Using Korean National Health Insurance Database. Clin Orthop Surg. 2020;12(2):200-208. doi:10.4055/cios19095

• Women who smoke were 50% more likely to experience chronic back pain compared to women who never smoked.

  ²⁷
  Schmelzer AC, Salt E, Wiggins A, Crofford LJ, Bush H, Mannino DM. Role of Stress and Smoking as Modifiable Risk Factors for Nonpersistent and Persistent Back Pain in Women. Clin J Pain. 2016;32(3):232-237. doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000245

• Smokers with a history of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis are more likely to have back pain than smokers without the condition.

  ²⁸
  Scott SC, Goldberg MS, Mayo NE, Stock SR, Poîtras B. The association between cigarette smoking and back pain in adults. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1999;24(11):1090-1098. doi:10.1097/00007632-199906010-00008

Both back pain and associated leg pain are less common in former smokers than in current smokers,

¹¹
Al Ali R, Vukadinović D, Maziak W, et al.
Cardiovascular effects of waterpipe smoking: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2020;21(3):453-468. doi:10.31083/j.rcm.2020.03.135 so quitting smoking may alleviate back pain and may also improve outcomes after back surgery.

²⁹
Jazini E, Glassman SD, Bisson EF, Potts EA, Carreon LY. Do Former Smokers Exhibit a Distinct Profile Before and After Lumbar Spine Surgery?. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018;43(3):201-206. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000002293

How does smoking affect back pain?

It turns out that smokers are much more likely to have lower back pain. We understand why this happens.

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Back pain is one of the most popular reasons we seek medical help. Earlier, Men Today already wrote about its main reasons. Today we will talk about the prevention of back pain.

Contents of article

Back pain can affect anyone, from the elderly to the child. But there are factors that can increase the risk of developing it. Below are the most important ones.

Age . Back pain often occurs with age, starting from 30-40 years.

Lack of exercise. Weak, untrained back and abdominal muscles can cause back pain.

Overweight. Being overweight puts extra stress on your back.

Diseases. Some types of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.

Incorrect lifting. Using your back instead of your legs when you are trying to lift a heavy load can cause pain.

Psychological conditions. People prone to depression and anxiety also have a greater risk of pain.

Smoking. Smokers are more likely to experience back pain. This may be because smoking reduces blood flow to the spine and increases the risk of osteoporosis.

( See also: Pain while running: why it occurs and how to treat it)

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Prevention

You can avoid or prevent back pain by improving your fitness and learning and practicing proper body mechanics. To keep your back healthy and strong you need:

Exercise. Regular low-impact aerobic exercise—those that don’t strain or jar your back—can increase your back’s strength and endurance and allow your muscles to function better. Walking and swimming are good choices. Talk to your doctor about what activities you can try.

Build muscle strength and flexibility. Abdominal and Back Workouts that Strengthen Your Core helps to train these muscles to work together like a natural back brace.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight strains the back muscles. If this is your situation, losing weight can help prevent back pain.

Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of back pain. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day, so quitting smoking should help reduce this risk.

( Read also: 9 habits that threaten the health of your joints)

Back pain? It’s time to quit smoking! — HealthInfo

The bag is too heavy. Intensive exercise in the gym. Uncomfortable office chair. Permanent computer seat . Yes, and just “unsuccessfully turned.” How many different reasons we find to explain why the back hurts. And doctors add one more. It has been established that smoking has a detrimental effect on the condition of the spine. So you want the back to pass? Quit smoking !

Tobacco is the enemy of intervertebral discs

A few years ago, Chinese scientists conducted a study on mice. They exposed the animals to tobacco smoke, simulating regular smoking (4 cigarettes a day, 5 days a week for six months). After this “smoking” period, the composition of the intervertebral cartilage of mice was studied. It turned out that the content of proteoglycans in it (components that provide flexibility and elasticity of the disc) was only 63% of the norm. The synthesis of new proteoglycans and collagen significantly decreased – almost two times.

At the same time, the researchers noticed that the “smoking” mice accelerated the processes of cellular aging almost twice.

All this led to an unequivocal conclusion: smoking has a negative effect on the condition of the intervertebral discs, which means it leads to back pain .

Smoking affects the blood vessels

The dependence of the degree of pain in the spine on smoking was revealed several years ago by American scientists. At Emory University (Atlanta), doctors examined the results of computed tomography of 182 patients. One third, 34% of them, were smokers. CT scan assessed the condition of each intervertebral disc and the spine as a whole. As a result, scientists came to the conclusion that the condition of the spine in smokers was worse, and the degree of osteochondrosis was higher.

This is due not only to the disruption of the synthesis of substances that make up the cartilage of the intervertebral disc. Smoking also affects microcirculation, causing spasm of blood vessels and capillaries. This means that the intervertebral discs do not receive sufficient nutrition, the process of their degeneration is accelerated.

Smoking reduces bone density

Nicotine damages bone tissue. Normally, the processes of destruction and formation of bone substance are ongoing, and the balance of these processes allows the bones to maintain strength. Smoking shifts the balance towards bone destruction, as it affects the osteocyte cells that form the basis of bone tissue. As a result, the bone substance loses its density, acquires a structure resembling a sponge.

Osteoporosis, or a decrease in bone density, in the spine leads to deformation of the bodies of the vertebrae themselves. This means that various pinched nerves are possible, which leads to constant back pain.

Smoking is a risk factor for arthritis

Nicotine negatively affects not only bone and cartilage tissue. Smoking is one of the important provoking factors of rheumatoid arthritis, a serious joint disease that not only causes pain, but also seriously limits a person’s mobility.