背痛可能与椎骨有关

Vertebrae are the bones of the spine, which encase the spinal cord and offer outlets for nerves to branch off the main spinal cord to the rest of the body, according to Cleveland Clinic. In total, there are 33 vertebrae in a human adult. In addition to housing the all-important spinal cord, the vertebrae are also responsible for neck and back movement.

根据克利夫兰诊所的说法，椎骨又称脊柱骨，它包裹着脊髓，为神经提供了从主脊髓分支到身体其他部位的出口。一个成年人总共有33个椎骨。除了容纳至关重要的脊髓外，脊椎还负责颈部和背部的运动。

Each vertebra is stacked between two discs that act as shock absorbers, creating a cushion, so the bones don't rub against each other (via American Association of Neurological Surgeons). The discs are composed of a tough outer layer known as the annulus and a gel-like center called the nucleus. Naturally, these discs begin to deteriorate with age, and the ligaments that hold them in place begin to weaken. Both age and injury are factors that can increase the risk of a herniated disc, which occurs when the disc tears and the inner nucleus leaks out, pushing against the spinal cord or nearby nerves. This can lead to some pretty significant pain.

每个椎骨都叠放在两个椎间盘之间，椎间盘起到减震器的作用，形成一个缓冲垫，这样骨头就不会相互摩擦。椎间盘由坚韧的外层环和凝胶状的中心核组成。自然地，随着年龄的增长，这些椎间盘开始恶化，固定它们的韧带开始变弱。年龄和损伤都会增加椎间盘突出的风险，当椎间盘撕裂和内核泄漏，挤压脊髓或附近的神经时，就会发生椎间盘突出。这可能会导致相当严重的疼痛。

Symptoms and treatment options for herniated discs

椎间盘突出症的症状和治疗选择

If a disc herniates but does not press against a nerve or the spinal cord, you may experience little or no pain, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. However, if a nerve is pressed, it can cause pain and other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or weakness in the arms or legs, depending upon where the affected nerve is.

根据美国神经外科医生协会的说法，如果椎间盘突出但没有压迫到神经或脊髓，你可能会感觉轻微或没有疼痛。然而，如果神经受压，可能会引起疼痛和其他症状，如麻木、刺痛、灼热感或四肢无力，具体取决于受影响神经的位置。

Treatment often includes rest, over-the-counter pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen, and applying heat or ice to areas with pain (via Cleveland Clinic). Consider speaking with your doctor if symptoms don't improve after four to six weeks, if you have trouble standing or walking, or if the pain interferes with your daily activities. Your healthcare provider may recommend muscle relaxants or therapeutic interventions, including electrical stimulation, massage, ultrasound therapy, and stretching. In more severe cases, spinal injections, such as epidurals or surgery, may be necessary to reduce pain and other symptoms.

治疗方法通常包括休息、非处方止痛药，如非甾体抗炎药(NSAIDs)或对乙酰氨基酚，以及在疼痛部位加热或冰敷。如果你在站立或行走时有困难，或者疼痛已经影响你的日常活动，且症状在四到六周后没有改善，请考虑和你的医生谈谈。您的医疗保健提供者可能会推荐肌肉松弛剂或治疗干预措施，包括电刺激、按摩、超声波治疗和拉伸。在更严重的情况下，可能需要脊髓注射，如硬膜外注射或手术，以减轻疼痛和其他症状。