It is important to know the causes of your back pain to help
you figure out the right and effective self-help measure and knowing when to go
to the doctor. Here are some of the common causes of back pain:
#1 - Muscle strain
Muscle
strain is the most common cause of an acute back pain. It usually results from
sudden movements like twisting, bending or lifting a heavy object and general poor
body mechanics. When we overwork our muscles and causes a tear, it develops
muscle spasms which is a way for our body to signal that we’re in pain and and
protect the area from further injury. Most of the time, this can be resolved
with rest and applying ice on the injured area and only lasts a few days to few
weeks. If the symptoms last more than 6 weeks, this could be an indication of a
much serious problem.
#2 - Degenerative disc diseases
The
spinal vertebrae are separated by disks which act as a cushion and shock
absorber for our vertebrae. These disks can degenerate over time from wear and
tear and lose their cushioning ability. This problem can end up pinging a nerve
which causes a pain that shoots down the back of the leg, commonly known as
sciatica. Disc degeneration can also lead to slipped disc where one vertebrae
slips forward over the one below it, which is also known as spondylolisthesis. Other
symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and muscle spasms.
#3 - Poor posture
Whether
you’re a student studying for an exam, an office worker crunching a deadline,
or someone who’s binging a show in Netflix, you’re probably spending hours and
hours sitting in front of a computer. Most of us has a hard time of maintaining
a proper posture throughout the day. Some of us doesn’t even know what a proper
posture is. Prolonged improper posture, especially when sitting, can cause a
lower back pain. According to Dr. Jay Kang of
Chiropractic Health Club in Riverside, CA, “a sitting or desk job is not as
easy on your body as most people think. Sitting actually puts more
pressure on your lower back discs than standing.” Taking a break and doing
regular stretches can save you from developing a back pain.
#4 - Poor health habits
Research
shows that smoking and being overweight post as risk factors in developing a
back pain. Carrying an extra weight
means more pressure on your spine and can contribute to your back pain. Smoking
has been associated as a contributing factor for poor blood circulation which
can affect the flow of nutrients to joints and muscles in the back. Some
studies also show that smoking can accelerate disc degeneration and chronic
back pain due to increased brain activity that reduces resilience to pain.
#5 - Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis
is the breakdown of the cartilage in a joint which can reduce its elasticity
and can cause stiffening of the joint. The facet joints, which connects the
vertebrae, can develop osteoarthritis and result in rubbing of the bones and
produce an excruciating pain. This can lead to development of bone spurs and
nerve impingement.
Knowing the cause of your back pain can help you develop
preventative measures to avoid it. Going into surgery doesn’t guarantee to fix
your back problem and should be your last option. You should consider seeking a
spinal manipulation treatment first before jumping into surgery. A spine health
specialist, such as a chiropractor, can help you determine the best treatment
for your condition. There’s also a lot of home remedies you can do like icing
your back and getting enough rest when dealing with an episode of back pain. And
lastly, eating healthy, exercising and focusing in strengthening your core
could also help relieving some pressure of your spine and reduce your back
pain.
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