Coughing causing back pain? Learn how to find relief

back-neck/by Baylor Scott & White Health/Feb 2, 2024
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Winter weather often impacts our health, and this time of year means that many of us will catch a cough and feel under the weather for a few weeks. Coughing can be caused by many things, from the common cold and flu to COVID-19 and even seasonal allergies. As well as a scratchy throat and runny nose, there can be other uncomfortable side effects to a persistent cough, including disc herniation and lumbar disc degeneration, the initial treatment is usually a mixture of anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxers, as well as core-strengthening physical therapy,” said Dr. Avramis.

If your back pain persists and these initial methods are not relieving any discomfort, your health care provider may consider more advanced methods.

“The next tier of treatments is advanced imaging, typically through an MRI, and pain management injections such as an epidural steroid injection or facet injection. Ultimately, if these treatments do not provide lasting improvement, surgical treatment is then considered,” said Dr. Avramis.

If your back pain is causing you to lose sleep or you experience numbness, tingling or incontinence, it’s important to see a spine specialist for care.

Unsure if you should see a spine specialist? Rate your pain through our 10-question assessment. Take the quiz.

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