How does smoking affect back pain. What is the link between smoking and chronic pain. Can smoking cause spinal conditions. How does nicotine impact spine health. What are the long-term effects of smoking on the spine.

The Relationship Between Smoking and Chronic Pain

Smoking has long been associated with various health issues, but its connection to chronic pain, particularly back pain, has gained significant attention in recent years. Research has consistently shown a strong link between smoking and the development of chronic pain conditions, including back pain.

A comprehensive study review from 2000 examined 46 studies, with 36 of them finding a positive association between active smoking and back pain in both men and women. This correlation raises important questions about the mechanisms through which smoking affects our bodies and contributes to pain.

How does smoking contribute to chronic pain?

The primary culprits in cigarettes that contribute to chronic pain are nicotine and toxic substances like carbon monoxide. These components can have several detrimental effects on the body:

• Nicotine can constrict blood vessels, limiting the flow of essential nutrients to various parts of the body, including the spine.
• Carbon monoxide and other toxic substances can damage spinal disc cells and the interior lining of blood vessels.
• The overall impact of smoking can lead to cell malnutrition, affecting spinal cushions and vertebrae.

These effects create a perfect storm for the development of chronic pain conditions, particularly in the back and spine.

The Impact of Smoking on Spinal Health

While not all smokers may experience a direct connection between smoking and lower back pain, the habit can significantly impact spinal health in various ways. Understanding these effects is crucial for both prevention and treatment of smoking-related spinal issues.

How does smoking affect the spine?

Smoking can impact spinal health through several mechanisms:

1. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Smoking can accelerate the degeneration of spinal discs, leading to DDD, which often causes lower back pain and spinal stiffness.
2. Osteoporosis: Smoking is a known risk factor for osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones over time and can lead to chronic back pain or spinal fractures.
3. Reduced Physical Activity: Smokers are generally less physically active, which can negatively impact bone density and overall spinal health.
4. Vertebral Compression Fractures: Weakened bones due to smoking-related osteoporosis increase the risk of vertebral compression fractures, which can cause chronic pain and limit mobility.

The Science Behind Smoking and Back Pain

To understand the connection between smoking and back pain, it’s essential to look at the scientific explanations for this relationship. The effects of smoking on the body’s cells play a crucial role in the development of chronic pain conditions.

What happens to cells when exposed to nicotine and tobacco?

When cells are exposed to nicotine and tobacco:

• They can be deprived of necessary functions, weakening their ability to perform throughout the body.
• This cellular damage can lead to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and oral pain.
• The toxins in cigarettes can cause cell death or degeneration, particularly affecting spinal cushions and vertebral discs.

These cellular-level changes explain why smokers are more prone to developing chronic pain conditions, especially in the back and spine.

The Vicious Cycle of Smoking and Pain

Interestingly, the relationship between smoking and pain isn’t a one-way street. Researchers have identified what they call a “positive feedback loop” between smoking and chronic pain.

How does the feedback loop between smoking and pain work?

The feedback loop operates in two directions:

1. Pain as a Motivator: Some individuals use their chronic pain as a reason to smoke, believing it helps alleviate their discomfort.
2. Smoking Causing Pain: The act of smoking itself can cause or exacerbate chronic pain conditions.

This cycle can trap millions of people, potentially causing more long-term pain than it seemingly solves in the short term. Breaking this cycle is crucial for improving overall health and reducing chronic pain.

Specific Back Pain Conditions Related to Smoking

While smoking can contribute to general back pain, it’s also associated with specific back and spine conditions. Understanding these conditions can help smokers recognize potential health risks and seek appropriate medical attention.

What are the main back pain conditions associated with smoking?

Some of the primary back pain conditions linked to smoking include:

• Lumbar Pain: A 2016 study found that smoking is a risk factor for lumbar pain, which affects the lower back.
• Sciatica: The same study also linked smoking to an increased risk of sciatica, a condition characterized by pain radiating along the sciatic nerve.
• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): As mentioned earlier, smoking can accelerate disc degeneration, leading to DDD.
• Vertebral Compression Fractures: These fractures are more common in smokers due to the increased risk of osteoporosis.

Each of these conditions can significantly impact quality of life and may require medical intervention.

The Role of Nicotine in Back Pain

While cigarettes contain numerous harmful substances, nicotine plays a particularly significant role in the development of back pain and other chronic pain conditions.

How does nicotine specifically contribute to back pain?

Nicotine impacts back health in several ways:

1. Blood Vessel Constriction: Nicotine causes blood vessels to shrink, restricting the flow of crucial nutrients like calcium to spinal structures.
2. Cellular Damage: It can directly damage cells in the spine and intervertebral discs.
3. Reduced Healing: By limiting blood flow, nicotine can slow down the body’s natural healing processes, prolonging recovery from injuries or exacerbating chronic conditions.
4. Pain Perception: Some studies suggest that nicotine may alter pain perception, potentially making individuals more sensitive to pain over time.

Understanding these mechanisms highlights the importance of nicotine cessation in managing and preventing back pain.

Long-term Effects of Smoking on Spine Health

The impact of smoking on spine health isn’t limited to short-term pain or discomfort. Long-term smoking can lead to severe and potentially irreversible changes in spinal structure and function.

What are the long-term consequences of smoking on the spine?

Some of the long-term effects of smoking on spine health include:

• Accelerated Disc Degeneration: Smoking speeds up the natural aging process of spinal discs, leading to earlier onset of degenerative disc disease.
• Increased Risk of Spinal Fractures: Due to the link between smoking and osteoporosis, long-term smokers face a higher risk of spinal fractures, particularly in old age.
• Chronic Pain: The cumulative damage from years of smoking can result in chronic back pain that may be difficult to treat.
• Reduced Spinal Mobility: As spinal structures degrade over time, smokers may experience decreased flexibility and range of motion in their spine.
• Increased Risk of Failed Back Surgery: Smokers who undergo spine surgery often have poorer outcomes and higher rates of complications compared to non-smokers.

These long-term effects underscore the importance of quitting smoking as early as possible to preserve spine health.

Quitting Smoking and Back Pain Improvement

While the negative effects of smoking on back health are significant, there’s good news for those willing to quit. Many studies have shown that smoking cessation can lead to improvements in back pain and overall spine health.

Can quitting smoking improve existing back pain?

Yes, quitting smoking can potentially improve existing back pain:

1. Improved Blood Flow: Quitting smoking allows blood vessels to dilate, improving nutrient delivery to spinal structures.
2. Enhanced Healing: With better blood flow and reduced toxin exposure, the body’s natural healing processes can function more effectively.
3. Slowed Degeneration: While quitting can’t reverse existing damage, it can slow down further degeneration of spinal discs and vertebrae.
4. Pain Reduction: Many former smokers report a decrease in chronic pain levels after quitting.
5. Better Treatment Outcomes: Non-smokers typically respond better to various back pain treatments, including physical therapy and surgery.

It’s important to note that while improvements may not be immediate, the benefits of quitting smoking for spine health accumulate over time.

In conclusion, the link between smoking and back pain is well-established and multifaceted. From cellular damage to increased risk of specific spinal conditions, smoking poses significant threats to spine health. However, by understanding these risks and taking steps to quit smoking, individuals can protect their spinal health and potentially improve existing back pain conditions. As always, those experiencing chronic back pain should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice and treatment options.

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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.

Contact DISC for a Consultation Today

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

7 Unobvious Causes of Back Pain – Information from an Orthopedist

Contents

According to statistics, every inhabitant of our planet has experienced back pain at least once in their life. The main causes of pain are clear: these are diseases of the spine, an uncomfortable pillow or mattress, or too intense training.

In fact, there are at least 7 more non-obvious reasons why a person may experience back pain. We tell you which ones.

1. Insomnia

Yes, back pain can really make it difficult to sleep at night. In fact, sleep disturbances can lead to back pain and even make it worse. Researchers still haven’t figured out the physiological cause of back pain from lack of sleep. Perhaps the reason is increased sensitivity to pain against the background of general stress.

2. Smoking

Smokers are almost 3 times more likely to suffer from back pain. Tobacco slows down the flow of blood to tissues and bones. This can lead to the destruction of the discs in the spine (which is very painful). And since smoking also slows down the healing process, the pain can linger. According to numerous studies, nicotine increases pain. Nicotine adversely affects the condition of the bone tissue. Normally, the processes of destruction and formation of bone substance are ongoing, and normally these processes occur without affecting the strength of the bones. Smoking shifts this balance in the direction of bone destruction: it affects bone tissue cells. As a result, the bone substance loses its density and acquires a structure resembling a sponge. Osteoporosis, or a decrease in bone density, in the spine leads to deformation of the vertebral bodies. This can lead to various pinched nerves and constant back pain.

3. Diseases of the feet

One of the main functions of the feet is the spring, with the help of which, when walking, they take on most of the load of the body. With the development of pathology, the stop-spring function is partially or completely lost, and other segments of the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, begin to take on the extra load. Therefore, it may be worth contacting a specialist, purchasing suitable insoles or changing shoes to orthopedic ones.

In all ORTEKA salons, a foot scanning service is available – so the insoles will be selected especially for you.

How it works?

Salon expert:

1. performs a partial foot examination;
2. takes a picture of the foot and writes out a recommendation form;
3. enters data for the manufacture of individual insoles.

This service is completely safe and takes no more than 5 minutes.

4. High growth

Scientists have identified a link between height and back problems. For example, according to one of them, in women with a height of 170 cm, the risk of lower back pain is 20% higher than in women of a shorter height. The risk also increases in men over 185 cm. Hormones or the way tall people move may be to blame. Posture problems can occur when a person bends over frequently. For example, to talk to lower people.

Another cause of back pain in tall people is the habit of slouching.

5. Clothes that are too tight

Perhaps it is fashionable and seductive. But it is also extremely harmful: in tight clothes, the lower part of the spine and pelvis move unnaturally. A tight pencil skirt forces the woman to keep her knees together, and also reduces the step – the lower back suffers greatly from this. Frequent wearing of tight skirts can cause problems with discs or spinal muscles.

Or jeans (especially tight ones) are tight on the legs, which greatly restricts the movement of the knees and hips. An unnatural position of the body places additional stress on the joints, which ultimately leads to a decrease in depreciation.

Very tight clothing can also contribute to slouching while sitting. All this weakens the muscles that are supposed to keep the spine in the correct position.

6. Urinary tract infections

Frequent “seasonal” diseases are cystitis and urethritis, bladder infections. A rarer and more serious problem is pyelonephritis, or inflammation of the kidneys. They cause lower back pain as well as:

• Heat;
• Chills;
• Nausea.

Back pain in urinary tract diseases is felt regardless of movement. With pyelonephritis and other diseases of the urinary tract, the back hurts constantly, and the pain can also “give” to the lower abdomen and genitals.

7. Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is necessary for normal bone metabolism – as you know, calcium is absorbed only in synthesis with this vitamin. People who don’t get enough of it are especially prone to back pain. Perhaps this is due to the weakness of the vertebrae. Ensure sufficient vitamin D intake – for example, purchase special vitamin complexes or dietary supplements (required after consulting a doctor!).

2 390 ₽

Vitamin D3 2000 IU (Vitamin D3 2000 IU), 120 capsules

2 790 ₽

Astrum Bone-Aid Mineral Complex “Bone Strength”, 120 tablets

New

Calcium Magnesium D3 for bones, 60 capsules x 0.65 g

However, back pain in most cases is associated with orthopedic diseases. We invite you to take our online test and find out why you may experience discomfort.

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.

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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-intensity aerobic exercise—those that don’t strain or jar your back—can increase your back 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.