Back Pain | Causes and Treatment for Back Pain

What causes Back Pain?

Simple strains can caused back pain. Most people experience back pain, even while simply sitting. Bending, straightens and twist can cause constant stress on the back which can result back strain or back pain.

Back pain is the second most common neurological disorder in the United States — only headache is more common. But,there are ways to prevent back pain by strengthening muscles that support the spine with back exercises, together with correcting posture, proper lifting techniques and understanding the physical limitations of our back.

Our lower back supports most of the weight of our body and is subject to the most mechanical stress. The reason why, the lower back is commonly injured. Lower back pain caused by strained muscles or ligaments is the most common type of back pain.

Though most back pain is caused by muscle or ligament strain, there are other causes such as damage or injury to spinal nerves, bones, or discs.

Sciatica, which is not a disease in itself but radiating pain and other symptoms caused by inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve, can be caused by many conditions.

Osteoarthritis of the spine is a common cause of back pain in people over 65 years of age. The incidence of some other back conditions also increases with age. Back pain is sometimes caused by a problem with the kidneys.

If you back pain persists for over 3 months, it is considered chronic back pain. But that doesn’t mean, we have to wait for 3 months to see a doctor. For, an aching back can be a symptom of something that requires immediate attention such as a kidney infection.

Back pain that lasts several days should be diagnosed and treated by a physician. If the pain is severe or is accompanied by numbness or pain down the leg, you should see a doctor immediately — severity of back pain does not always associate with the severity of the injury or damage.

In large cases the cause of back pain is hard to pin down. A simple muscle strain often causes more pain that a herniated disc.

Herniated discs can produce intense back pain but often do not produce any symptoms at all. Even in those with damaged discs and spinal joints, the source of the pain may be strained back muscles. If a doctor recommends surgery to relieve back pain, you should seek for a second opinion. For, surgery will not help relieve it and most herniated discs can be improve without surgery.

Stress, anxiety, and depression are often related to back pain. Stress can cause muscles to contract, which reduces blood flow to the tissues and often leads to pain. Stress hormones also heighten the perception of pain.

From exercising to learning relaxation techniques can relieve stress. Relieving stress is the most effective way to reduce pain. Back pain can occur suddenly, but more often develops gradually. Especially when the muscles supporting the back are held in one position too long, the back muscles get fatigued and strained. By products of muscular activity build up in the back muscles, like high level of lactic acid in the muscles can cause muscle irritation and pain.

Chronic back pain is frequently the result of inadequate muscle strength, shortened muscles;poor posture, or being overweight, poor bending and lifting techniques. Remember, If you have back pain the first step is to be properly assessed by your primary care provider because, back pain has many causes, from muscle strain to more serious, so it’s important to find out what is causing the back pain.