5 Most Common Causes of Back Pain

Back pain doesn’t discriminate.  Whether you’re an athlete, a student, or someone who just loves gardening, there’s a high chance that you know how painful a back pain can be. According to experts, approximately 8 out of 10 people will experience a back pain at some point in their life. It is the leading cause of disability in men over 45 years old and the fifth most common reason for hospitalization. More than half of people with back pain say that it affects their daily activities, including driving and sleeping. Fortunately, most back pains are not that serious and can be resolved with enough rest, exercise and/or by taking a pain relief medication. However, if you ignore an acute pain, it can lead into chronic and more serious conditions like herniated discs.

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.