Back Pain

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain can make everyday tasks seem impossible. Simple things like walking may be difficult and painful. Knowing what’s causing your back pain and when to turn to an expert is essential.

Some symptoms associated with back pain include:

• Posture problems

• Stiffness

• Sciatica

• Mobility issues

• Muscle spasms

• Difficulty standing straight

• Leg weakness

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

You may experience acute back pain, which occurs suddenly and can last a few days, or chronic back pain, which comes on quickly or slowly and lasts for more than 12 weeks.

Mechanical and Structural Causes of Back Pain

Mechanical and structural issues can lead to back pain — for example, a muscle strain or injury. Actions that can strain muscles and spinal ligaments in your back include improper lifting or sudden, awkward movements.

Bulging or herniated discs (slipped discs) and ruptured discs can also cause lumbar pain. Discs work like cushions between your vertebrae, absorbing shocks and giving you some mobility. If a disc bulges or ruptures, it could compress the nearby nerves, potentially leading to irritation and pain.

If you have spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal, the nerves can be pinched which in return can cause back pain, leg pain, pain shooting down the legs, and difficulty walking.

Conditions That May Cause Back Pain

Degenerative disc disease is a potential culprit as well. With age, the normal wear and tear of the discs can lead to narrowing of the cushion between the bones, and in advanced stages, bones rubbing together, causing back pain.

A type of arthritis that specifically targets the spine is ankylosing spondylitis. This fairly rare condition can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse, resulting in a hunched posture and a decrease in range of motion and back pain.

Diseases like scoliosis, osteoporosis, and tumors can all affect your spine. Scoliosis is the abnormal sideways curve of the spine, while osteoporosis is a disease that is caused by poor density of the bone (most often seen in post-menopausal women) and It can lead to fractures.

Kidney stones can cause mid-back pain, as can pregnancy and fibromyalgia. These conditions should be considered and ruled out when evaluating someone with back pain.

In addition, there are mental health concerns that may lead to the development of back pain. Depression and anxiety, as well as stress, can affect the body in many ways, including causing neck and back pain.

The chances of developing lumbar pain increase with age. Other risk factors include:

• Weight

• Posture

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Weak abdominal muscles

• Smoking

• Excessive alcohol consumption

Call Now