Can diabetes cause back pain? Diabetes and back pain have been associated but it is not usually the cause. In most cases, things that cause diabetes also cause back pain, such as being overweight, not exercising enough, and age related problems. Upper back pain diabetes symptoms are usually attributed to muscle strain, poor posture, pressure on spinal nerves, or osteoarthritis. In rare cases diabetes back pain can also be attributed to gallbladder disease or an infection (DiabeticConnect.com, 2011).
Diabetes and Lower Back Pain
Back pain in diabetes which occurs in the lower back and feet has been attributed to nerve damage. This is known as diabetic neuropathy, and it is very common. One clear indicator of this is a numbness that occurs in your lower legs or feet. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearing house (NDIC), 60-70% of diabetics have some form of neuropathy.
Sometimes back pain and diabetes can be attributed to the fat around your abdominal area. Fat in your abdominal area pulls your spine forward; this causes you to over-arch your lower back. Losing weight allows your belly muscles to help support your spine, which helps your posture and reduces diabetes lower back pain.
Low Back Pain and Diabetes Treatment
Lower diabetes and lower back pain is very treatable. If your diabetes lower back pain is due to neuropathy, you doctor will most likely treat your conditions with pain medications. Acupuncture, biofeedback, or physical therapy is some treatments that have been known to be helpful with lower back pain diabetes symptoms as well.
The best way to treat diabetes and back pain is through exercise. As was said before, losing weight and building strength in your abdominal muscles will help both your posture and your back pain. Plus, diabetes and back pain can be worsened by stress; exercise is an awesome way to relieve stress.
One concept that should be understood in both diabetes and back pain is that staying active reduces pain. Just be sure to avoid positions and activities that will increase the pain. One mistake that people with diabetes make is they become inactive because of the pain. Too little activity leads to the loss of flexibility, strength, and endurance, which eventually leads to more pain. If you are in a lot of pain, start with some gentle activity that gets you moving, and then gradually increase your activity level (WebMD.com, 2011).
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