Causes of Back Pain
back pain causes
Nothing can interrupt a day of normal activity more effectively than back pain. Back pain can be sudden and acute in onset, or it can be chronic and persistent, or somewhere in between. The causes of back pain are many, including muscle strain, ligament tear, repetitive movement, heavy lifting, ruptured disk, arthritis, disease, and the list goes on. The truth about back pain is that most people in have suffered from back pain at one time or other in their lives, but it's never a good idea to live with back pain for long. There's no reason to suffer from chronic back pain. In fact, your back pain may be trying to tell you something. You may have a serious health problem that needs diagnosis and treatment, but if you don't seek medical attention, you may not know until it's too late. Spinal surgeons in Millburn recommend seeking medical attention, especially when back pain becomes a chronic problem. Following is information regarding the most common causes of back pain.
Ligament or muscle strain
Perhaps the most common cause of back pain is muscle strain or ligament strain due to awkward movement, sudden movement, or repetitive motion. Most adults have experienced some form of back pain due to muscle strain, especially a condition commonly referred to as 'throwing your back out.' This can happen to anyone, but major risk factors are poor health, poor physical condition, and obesity.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another leading cause of back pain, especially in those who are elderly. Osteoarthritis typically affects the lower back, and in some situations, arthritis of the spine can lead to narrowing of the space surrounding the spinal cord. This is known as spinal stenosis.
Infection
A less frequent (but still common) cause of back pain is infection. Infection that causes back pain in the area surrounding the vertebrae is referred to as osteomyelitis. Another form of back pain from infection is called diskitis, which involves disks that generally support cushioning of the vertebrae.
Bulging disk or herniated disk
When disks that work to protect and cushion the vertebrae are compromised (such as when bulging as in a bulging disk or cracked as in a herniated disk), this can cause back pain. When the soft cartilage within the disk leaks out or ruptures, it can press on a nerve, causing pain. Typically, x-rays need to be taken to diagnose these conditions.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis typically occurs in elderly patients who are experiencing back pain due to compression fractures of the vertebrae. This happens when bones become brittle and porous. Osteoporosis in young patients is rare; this condition generally happens in older adults.
Injury to the spine
Accidents involving motor vehicles, sports, or other activities that can bring pressure down on the spine are a common cause of back injury that involves back pain. Sprains and fractures can cause sudden and/or acute pain, or they can cause chronic pain that persists on a long-term basis. These injuries need to be assessed immediately by a spinal surgeon or other healthcare provider in order to be diagnosed and treated medically.
Spinal disease
In some patients, back pain is caused by diseases that involve the spine, such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine), ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory disease of the spine that can cause vertebrae to fuse together), or less frequently, tumor. These are also cases in which patients need to seek medical treatment by a spinal surgeon or other healthcare provider.
There's a reason for your back pain. There could be a simple solution, such as changing your chair or shoes or the way you lift objects, or it could be something more serious that requires diagnosis and back pain treatment. Back pain can be a serious impediment to an enjoyable life. There are so many potential causes for your back pain, and it's important for you to seek medical attention before it gets worse. If you've been afflicted with back pain that goes away only to return hours or days later, or if you're suffering with back pain that never goes away, it's essential that you contact a spinal surgeon or other qualified healthcare provider to schedule an appointment soon. Chronic back pain is not a necessary part of aging, and you don't have to live it.
Ligament or muscle strain
Perhaps the most common cause of back pain is muscle strain or ligament strain due to awkward movement, sudden movement, or repetitive motion. Most adults have experienced some form of back pain due to muscle strain, especially a condition commonly referred to as 'throwing your back out.' This can happen to anyone, but major risk factors are poor health, poor physical condition, and obesity.
Arthritis
Arthritis is another leading cause of back pain, especially in those who are elderly. Osteoarthritis typically affects the lower back, and in some situations, arthritis of the spine can lead to narrowing of the space surrounding the spinal cord. This is known as spinal stenosis.
Infection
A less frequent (but still common) cause of back pain is infection. Infection that causes back pain in the area surrounding the vertebrae is referred to as osteomyelitis. Another form of back pain from infection is called diskitis, which involves disks that generally support cushioning of the vertebrae.
Bulging disk or herniated disk
When disks that work to protect and cushion the vertebrae are compromised (such as when bulging as in a bulging disk or cracked as in a herniated disk), this can cause back pain. When the soft cartilage within the disk leaks out or ruptures, it can press on a nerve, causing pain. Typically, x-rays need to be taken to diagnose these conditions.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis typically occurs in elderly patients who are experiencing back pain due to compression fractures of the vertebrae. This happens when bones become brittle and porous. Osteoporosis in young patients is rare; this condition generally happens in older adults.
Injury to the spine
Accidents involving motor vehicles, sports, or other activities that can bring pressure down on the spine are a common cause of back injury that involves back pain. Sprains and fractures can cause sudden and/or acute pain, or they can cause chronic pain that persists on a long-term basis. These injuries need to be assessed immediately by a spinal surgeon or other healthcare provider in order to be diagnosed and treated medically.
Spinal disease
In some patients, back pain is caused by diseases that involve the spine, such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine), ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory disease of the spine that can cause vertebrae to fuse together), or less frequently, tumor. These are also cases in which patients need to seek medical treatment by a spinal surgeon or other healthcare provider.
There's a reason for your back pain. There could be a simple solution, such as changing your chair or shoes or the way you lift objects, or it could be something more serious that requires diagnosis and back pain treatment. Back pain can be a serious impediment to an enjoyable life. There are so many potential causes for your back pain, and it's important for you to seek medical attention before it gets worse. If you've been afflicted with back pain that goes away only to return hours or days later, or if you're suffering with back pain that never goes away, it's essential that you contact a spinal surgeon or other qualified healthcare provider to schedule an appointment soon. Chronic back pain is not a necessary part of aging, and you don't have to live it.