6 Common Causes of Back Pain
Back pain is one common reason why you may skip work or school. Since it affects the spine and the back muscles, the pain can get pretty uncomfortable and sometimes even debilitating. Intense activities, injuries, and other medical conditions can cause back pain. It also affects any age and gender, but people in the older age group and those who are exposed to heavy physical activities are more prone to experiencing this condition.
If you feel some aches and pain in your spine, you might want to find the reason why you are feeling this discomfort. Here are seven types of back pains and their possible treatments:
1. Muscle strain. You are more likely to have experienced back pain because of muscle strain since it is one of the most common reasons for the ache. Have you ever felt soreness and stiffness on your back after hours of playing sport or doing a workout routine? Muscle strain happens when the muscles retract because of intense physical activity like heavy weight lifting or spraining your ligaments because of sudden uncoordinated movements.
2. Ruptured Disks. When the spinal column is torn and its discs protrude, they can sometimes pressure the nearest spinal nerves. This condition is called a ruptured disc and is also commonly called herniated or slipped disc. It happens when the discs start to wear out or when the gelatinous part of the spine begins to dry out causing the walls of the discs to separate and stiffen. If you have a ruptured spinal disc, you may find it difficult to bend over.
3. Osteoarthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when the cartilage that acts as the cushion of your bones begins to dry out and wear down. One of the areas that this condition commonly affects is the spine, thus causing back pain, especially during a person’s later years.
4. Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become so brittle because the body lost too much bone or failed to make new ones or both. This is a serious condition. If you have osteoporosis, a simple sneeze or accidental bumps can cause pain or injury. Like osteoarthritis, it also commonly affects the spine, causing extreme pain in your back.
5. Kidney problems. The most common cause of back pain is usually illnesses of the spine or back muscles. But kidney diseases can sometimes cause it too. Most of the time, kidney-related back pains are mistaken as common muscle pain. When you have an infection or blockage in the kidneys, you may feel a searing pain in your lower back area. Kidney stones can also cause lower back pain. When you feel pain in that area, consider talking to your doctor so that he can determine the exact cause of your lower backache.
6. Abnormal curvature of the spine. The backbones are the strongest part of your body. It must be, since it props the whole body up and gives us a good deal of flexibility and strength too. That is why the spinal column is so important, and if it is in pain or is injured, you cannot fulfil your regular tasks. As you grow older, this spinal column ages as well. But there are also cases when people are born with deformed spines. Scoliosis is the sideways curvature of the spine that causes back pain. This commonly occurs among teenagers after the growth spurt.
People usually ease their back pain by simply avoiding the things that bring stress to the back. If your back pain is brought about by muscle strain, try to stay away from heavy lifting or strenuous activities. A short rest can make all the difference. You can also put ice or heat compress to the painful area to soothe it.
You can also try to correct your posture to avoid future back pains. Do not slouch when you are sitting, standing, or walking. Try to check your posture every 15 minutes if you are on your desk at work. This is so that you can make it a habit to straighten your back and eventually have a good posture.
Back pain per se is not life-threatening. But knowing the reason why your back is aching is crucial so that you can prevent it from worsening. Detecting a serious disease in its early stages is also important so that you can have a high possibility of recovering from it.
If your back pain is a result of a more serious medical condition, try to consult a virtual walk in clinic Brantford for proper diagnosis and treatment. If the pain is debilitating and is already hindering you from enjoying your daily activities, you have all the more reasons to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Do not be discouraged when the treatment or therapy is difficult or painful in the beginning. Your condition should improve eventually if you are consistent in taking your medications or undergoing treatment or therapy.