Have you had back pain for a long time?

Lower back pain for more than three months, which is relieved by movement, is a warning sign to go to the rheumatologist.

With busy lives, poor posture, or improper movements, many people end up with lower back pain that is often relieved with anti-inflammatories. But when the discomfort transcends time, it is possible that such discomfort far from any pain is ankylosing spondylitis, a disease that must be addressed immediately.

But what is the disease about? According to the Mayo Clinic, it is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the small bones of the spine (vertebrae) to fuse together. With this, the spine can become less flexible and lead to a stooped forward posture. Also, if the ribs are affected, it may be difficult to breathe deeply.

Other symptoms that may be experienced

- Chronic pain and stiffness of the lower back, buttocks, and hips. This discomfort generally develops slowly over several weeks or months.

- Pain and stiffness that get worse during periods of rest or inactivity and improve with movement and exercise.

- Waking up frequently in the middle of the night or early in the morning with back pain.

- Feeling of stiffness in the morning, when the person wakes up from rest.

- Inflammatory pain that starts before the age of 45.

So what should you do? According to Dr. Helga García, medical manager of rheumatology at Novartis, “if a person experiences low back pain for a period of more than three months, which is relieved by physical activity; morning back stiffness or pain in the heels or soles of the feet, you should visit the rheumatologist immediately ”. A doctor is the only one who can indicate the appropriate treatment.

There is no clarity on what causes this disease, but to find relief, experts suggest practicing exercises that allow the extension of the back and maintain mobility of the shoulders and hips. They also recommend avoiding contact and shock exercises and sports, and those that require continuous flexion of the back.

Another suggestion is to maintain a correct posture during work and rest, and preferably sleep on a hard mattress.

- Quitting smoking and eating a balanced diet also helps you feel better.