Back pain can be a debilitating condition. It’s the leading cause of disability among people that are under the age of 45. The back is very complex with disks, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones. Back pain can have a variety of causes and in some cases the reason for the patient’s pain can never be identified. These are some of the most common reasons for back pain.
One of the most preventable causes of back pain is everyday lifestyle choices. These are just some of the choices that can impact back pain and overall health:
- Smoking can stop your body from delivering nutrients to the disks in your spine.
- Improper footwear such as flip-flops or high heels can throw the entire body out of alignment triggering pain in the back and throughout the body. Read this article to find out more about the best footwear choices.
- Not getting any exercise really puts you at risk for back pain due to weak muscles in the back.
- Being overweight puts a lot of strain on the body and can cause pain in the back and elsewhere.
- At work there are two major risk factors for back pain. The first potential problem is lifting heavy objects. The second possible problem is if you work a desk job, not having proper workstation ergonomics can cause back pain. This is especially true if you slouch while using the computer all day.
Other important reasons that can cause back pain include:
Emotions- They can have a big impact on back pain. Pain can be induced or made worse by anxiety, stress, and depression.
Mattress- There is a litany of mattress options available for purchase. Owning a low quality or unsupportive mattress can trigger or even create back pain. Exercise caution when buying a mattress by doing research, reading reviews, and giving them a good long test in your regular sleeping position in the showroom.
Sleep disorders- People that suffer from sleep disorders are also much more likely to experience back pain.
Spinal Disks- Damage to the spinal disks such as bulging or rupture can cause very bad back pain. But, in some cases those conditions can cause no pain. In those cases usually the condition of the spine is only discovered when the back in incidentally X-rayed for another reason.
Arthritis- Is a condition that can lead to spinal stenosis. That is when arthritis causes the space around the spinal cord to narrow.
Osteoporosis- This condition can cause compression fractures of the spine. Osteoporosis does not cause pain, but it is painful if it starts causing fractures. If you have this condition consult with your doctor to discover preventative treatment options to avoid fractures.
Tendons and Ligaments- These can become sprained or strained. This can happen when you stretch too far, lift too much weight, or move in a way that causes injury. This injury can be painful especially if your back starts having spasms. If you have this condition a physical or occupational therapist can help strengthen your back with therapy.
Accidents and Injuries- Falls, auto accidents, work injuries, and other accidents can all cause temporary or permanent back pain. Not only can sprains or strains happen from these injuries, but also spinal fractures, whiplash, disc herniation, and many other spinal injuries.
If you experience back pain more than two weeks or the pain is severe, than seek medical attention for the problem. In many cases there are plenty of non-surgical treatment options that can be used to make the pain lessen or go away completely. Physical or occupational therapy is a great way to strengthen your back and help you feel better.