Do Genetics Play a Role In Your Back Pain?

Thinking of the people you know, and the way they handle aches and pains- one out of them is sure to soldier through it and take is as if it is nothing.  However, another may have to lay down and would be more likely moaning and groaning their way through the same exact thing.

Researchers have been studying these reactions in people, stemming from research originally being done on children with a genetic alteration in the SCN9A gene, which totally takes away their ability to feel any pain what so ever, and have found that these same alterations may effect the way you process pain as well. 

This could also have an effect on pain management, treatments, and other parts of healing.

While the typical alterations of SCN9A is much less dramatic that the total loss of pain feelings- researchers have noticed that those with similar set ups in the SCN9A gene as those with the disorder have also been self-assessed as feeling a level pain that is less than those who report higher levels of pain.

Researchers have found that the way this same gene is in an individual effects how quickly pain signals travel through the body, and they have found that those with a lower pain tolerance and those with a higher pain tolerance have a different overall ‘set-up’ in the SCN9A gene.

What does this mean for back pain sufferers?

By studying this, they have also discovered that people who suffer from back problems and sciatica (and similar pain-oriented issues) may have specific issue directly related to the way SCN9A is set up in them when compared to someone without the same conditions.  In those suffering from  back pain issues, the SCN9A gene may actually be forcing the pain signals from cell membranes to hit harder and more fiercely. 

This discovery may help find new ways of treating common back ailments, and more successful treatment plans in the long run.  All of these new discoveries, may help many of those feeling hopeless about their back pain finally receive a treatment that may help.