This article reveals the 25 most common causes that can lead to back pain. Some cases will require back pain tests, which may include imaging, neurological, and physical tests. I will also share with you all the reasons your back might hurt.
These are important to know because they will help you be more informed. Statistics show that back pain is more likely to be caused by a strain or sprain.
Common Strains and Sprains
A strain or sprain is not usually a serious problem. It happens occasionally, just like in life. It can happen for many reasons. It doesn’t mean that your back pain isn’t real. This is often called “soft-tissue pain” by healthcare professionals. It is caused by injury to a ligament or muscle (soft tissues).
A lift, twist, or sudden violent jerking motion can cause strain and strain injuries. Ligament or muscle damage can also be caused by falls and accidents. You did something wrong, or someone else did it to you. Here are some examples of strain or sprain injury symptoms:
- Stiffness
- Muscle tightness
- Spasming muscles
Many doctors advise against expensive testing too early in the process. Unless you have a compelling reason to go for tests immediately (e.g., if you fall off a ladder and are unable to move), it is best to take things slowly, one step at a time.
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when your neck snaps back and forth quickly, like in an auto accident. Whiplash can cause tissue swelling over time, so it may take up to a few days before you feel the effects. Whiplash symptoms include stiffness, neck pain, and limited ranges of motion.
You might also experience headaches and dizziness. These symptoms usually disappear within a few weeks. You may only need heat/ice treatment or over-the-counter medication.
If the jolt causes damage to the vertebrae or discs, it may cause nerves to become irritated, leading to burning sensations in the arms. If this is the case, seek medical attention.
Deadlifts
Lifting weights at the gym incorrectly can lead to strains and sprains. However, good form is important when lifting heavy objects. This is not only for the gym. Incorrectly lifting heavy boxes, groceries, and suitcases can cause real back pain.
A Cough Or Sneeze
As we mentioned, a sudden jolt can be enough to shake your back. Some estimates say a sneeze can travel up to 100 miles an hour. This is a lot of force! You can see how even a sneeze could cause muscle or tendon pulling.
A severe cough or sneeze can cause damage to a vertebrae or disc. However, if this happens, the underlying structure is likely already vulnerable and the cough or sneeze was the last straw.
Stretching And Exercise
Exercise comes with risks. Even if you are not in back pain, it is possible to get hurt. These injuries are usually caused by doing too much or using poor form.
If you lift and twist at the same moment and don’t properly integrate your abdominals to stabilize your spine, or if your back is strained from jumping around in aerobics classes trying to keep up with a well-conditioned instructor who’s just starting out, your back could be especially vulnerable.
Even a simple stretch can be pushed to the limit by going too far. Learn about good back posture when moving.
Dancing
A night of dancing is the best kind of fun! Add three-inch heels and some cocktails and woohoo!
Dancing can be a fun and social activity. However, like all other physical pursuits, it is important to practice to avoid injury.
Practice before you dance in high heels. Get some core and aerobic conditioning for both men and women. This will reduce injuries and allow you to look your best.
Intimate Act
When it comes to your back, we probably don’t need too many details. This intimate act is obviously very important, and it is easy to get carried away in the heat. Don’t worry, as with all strains and sprains in life, it will heal over time. You can try other options that aren’t as painful for your back.
Shoveling Out
If your core strength and form are strong, reaching, twisting, and lifting can lead to back pain. You want to remove the snow from your sidewalk as soon as possible. But, guess what? It is possible to build core strength while clearing the sidewalk of snow.
As you lift more snow, use your abdominal muscles to engage as you lift. Then, twist and throw carefully. This is a great way to get a great workout. If all else fails, you can hire a teenager to do the job or buy a snowblower.
Pinched Nerves
Pinched nerves can cause back pain that is not similar to that of soft-tissue injury. If the nerves in the neck are pinched, the pain can spread to the arms or legs. Although there may be many causes, they all press on a nerve.
They can cause back pain. Pinching nerves in the spinal canal or at their exit from the spine can cause back pain. It can feel either temporary or permanent. Here are some ways a pinched nerve might feel:
- Sharp
- Elec.
- Burning
- Tingling
- Num
- Hot/cold
Herniated Discs
The vertebral discs are tissue with an outer tough layer (annulus fibrusus) and an inner soft-gel-like layer (nucleus pilosus). The discs act as a cushion between the vertebral bones. They are susceptible to injury, disease, and repetitive stress from activities.
A herniated disc can bulge out, press on nerves and cause back pain. The amount of pressure it puts on a nerve can cause pain that is either mild or severe. It may also produce a dull or sharp sensation. However, it is possible that a disc bulge won’t cause back pain as long as it isn’t pressing on a nerve. It is important to not rely on imaging tests for back pain analysis.
Some discs will bulge more if you place weight on them. If you replace a flat tire, it stops bulging if you place the car on a lift; if there is no weight, the tire or disc will return to its normal shape.
Treatments for a bulge that is impinging upon a nerve are usually nonsurgical. These include physical therapy, home remedies, steroids, and nerve blocks. This problem is best treated over time.
Sciatica
Your sciatic nerve runs from the lower spine (your lumbar) to the foot. The pain that results from a pinched sciatic nerve can radiate from the hip to your ankle, or only partially. Sciatica usually affects one side at a given time.
Sciatica can make it very painful and difficult to find a comfortable place. Sciatica back pain can often be described as a shooting pain. It can also vary in severity. It can be worse if you lift your knee or bend forward.
While herniated discs are often the cause of sciatica, other factors can also contribute to the condition, such as narrowing of the spine (see the section on stenosis), or rare cases of tumors.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, will provide pain relief for sciatic nerve. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a powerful painkiller, but it doesn’t reduce the inflammation that causes the back pain. The use of therapeutic exercises and physical therapy can help to realign the body and relieve pressure on the nerve.
Spinal Stenosis
This refers to a narrowing in the spinal canal (or vertebral foramen), which is where nerves exit. This is usually caused by bone spurs and inflammation. The nerves can become compressed when the spaces between them narrow.
This is called compression in medical parlance. Patients born with a narrower spinal canal are more susceptible to this condition. This is called congenital stenosis or short pedicle syndrome by doctors. This group is more susceptible to nerve compression earlier in life.
Arthritis is the main cause of most stenosis. Because osteoarthritis is more common in older people, stenosis is most likely to affect those over 60. Stenosis may also be caused by a birth defect.
Most spinal stenosis affects the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar). It is rare for it to occur in the middle of the back (thoracic). It can be worse if you bend forward, but it is easier to lean forward and lie down. By bending forward, you can distract (pull apart) the facet joint, which relieves pressure from the underlying nerve. It also opens the bony canal.
To relieve the pressure of stenosis, you may need to exercise, take medication, use steroids, or have surgery.
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
The sacrum is the triangular bone at the end of your spine that fits into your hips (pelvis). It is composed of between three and five vertebrae. The sacroiliac (or SI) joint is the joint between your sacrum and your pelvis. SI joint problems can lead to pain in many areas, including:
- Lower back
- Buttock
- Groin
- Legs
- Pain at the top (iliac crest)
Pain usually affects one side of the body. Static positions, such as sitting, standing, or lying down, can make the symptoms worse.
Some people may feel more back pain when they climb stairs or bend forward. SI joint dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a strain in the ligaments surrounding the joint, muscle imbalances, abnormal walking patterns, and laxity due to pregnancy.
Most people find that lying in a fetal position on their sides with their knees bent can provide some relief.
A pillow between your knees can help. Long term, you can benefit from physical therapy and exercises that strengthen muscles and correct muscle imbalances. SI joint dysfunction can be treated and diagnosed with specialized injections that are administered directly to the joint.
Arthritis
Arthritis can be described as a broad term that covers inflammatory diseases that affect the musculoskeletal and musculoskeletal systems. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It affects one or more joints.
Osteoarthritis
This form of arthritis affects approximately 27 million Americans. It can affect any joint, including the spine. Overuse of certain joints, especially the knees, can lead to osteoarthritis. The cartilage covering the ends of the bones begins to wear away.
It hurts when bone rubs against bone. Other symptoms include stiffness or weakness in the arms and legs. You can also benefit from heat treatments, exercising, and sleeping on a firm bed.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This type of arthritis causes the spine and sacroiliac joints to become stiff and inflamed. Lower back and buttock pain are two of the most common symptoms.
The most severe form of the disease can cause the vertebrae to fuse, which results in a bent-over position becoming permanent.
The milder form of the disease is common in most people. It affects less than 1% of the population and more women than men.
People with this disease feel worse after sleeping or waking up. The treatment options include remedies for back pain and inflammation, hot baths and showers, and exercise.
Fibromyalgia
Because symptoms can vary greatly and no one knows the exact cause, this condition is called a “syndrom”. Although there are no specific medical tests for fibromyalgia (the XMRV virus), a connection to the virus has been made. There have been other possible causes, including genetics, infections, and psychological or physical trauma.
Although it is sometimes referred to as arthritis-related, it is not a true form of arthritis. It doesn’t cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Fibromyalgia, like arthritis, can lead to severe back pain and fatigue.
However, it is a chronic back pain that can last for a long time. Research suggests that this syndrome is caused by an abnormally high level of pain receptors.
This means that their bodies react to pain chemically more strongly. Fibromyalgia is mostly a problem for women. It is estimated that between 0.5 to 5% of people are affected by Fibromyalgia depending on the country. The pain is felt all over the body, but more so in the muscles and ligaments.
Low back pain is very common. Other symptoms include fatigue and headaches, touch sensitivity, depression, and fatigue.
There are many treatments available, including home remedies that reduce back pain and physical therapy.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
This chronic muscle pain affects many parts of the body, including the hips and back. Fascia, connective tissue, is what covers and links all parts of the body.
The area becomes painful and tight when muscle and fascia are tangled together. The trigger point is the most sensitive point in the knot. Myofascial pain is common in fibromyalgia patients.
Everybody has muscles that get knotty from time to time, but myofascial pain sufferers experience it more often, more severely, and longer. These are the symptoms:
- Aching muscles
- Motion Restriction
Massage and a technique known as myofascial release can help relieve trigger points. Trigger point injections and medications are also options.
Coccizynia
The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, is the bone at the end of your spine. The area that causes pain is, as you can probably guess, Coccydynia most often occurs after a fall.
This pain can also occur without any trauma. It can make sitting painful. To make their lives easier, most people with coccydynia have a pillow that is shaped like a donut. Local injections and anti-inflammatory medication are two options.
Fractures
Fractures refer to cracks or breaks in bones. Fractures can develop in the vertebrae due to injury, disease, overuse, or severe trauma like a car accident or fall. Most fractures of the spine occur in the lower or midback. These are some of the symptoms of a fracture:
- Chronic back pain that lasts longer than a few weeks
- Increased activity-related discomfort
- Sleep disruptions resulting in chronic back pain
- Numbness or weakness in the arms and legs.
- Bladder, bowel, and/or genital problems
- Moving difficulties
Osteoporosis
This disease weakens bones and makes them more vulnerable to fractures. Women are more affected by osteoporosis than men. Women are more susceptible than men to osteoporosis.
Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable. This disease can lead to fractures of the vertebrae (and other bones, such as hips, wrists, and wrists).
The flexion, or forward pattern, is the most common type of compression fracture in the spine. The vertebrae break in the front (anterior), but not in the back (posterior).
Because the vertebra is shorter at the front than it is at the back, the vertebra loses height. The spine then collapses more than normal, sometimes making the back appear humped. The bone falls forward like a soda bottle and then collapses.
The severity of pain from factures can range from mild to severe. Even simple movements can cause fractures in advanced cases. The vertebra can crack from lifting heavy objects or sneezing.
Pain medications are one option. Patients should begin walking as soon as the pain subsides.
Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty are two procedures that can stabilize fractured vertebrae. The first injects bone cement into fractured areas to create stability. The second works similarly, but restores height.
Spondylolysis And Spondylolisthesis
Both of these conditions are common. Spondylolysis can be caused by a birth defect or trauma.
Spondylolysis can also be a problem for ballet dancers or athletes involved in physically demanding sports such as gymnasts. These athletes are also more susceptible to spinal stress fractures due to the constant football collisions.
Medically, spondylolisthesis is when the vertebra becomes loose after it has been fractured. Some forms of spondylolisthesis do not require fractures. This is simply due to instability. Most likely, the lower back will be affected.
Although it may feel like a strain or sprain injury at first, this injury will not improve over time. Sciatica can occur when the vertebrae slip and the sciatic nerve is pinched. Bracing is an alternative to taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication.
The body will naturally heal the bone after bracing. This can be used as an internal brace by strengthening the core muscles. If this fails, surgery may be necessary.
Traumatic Injury
These injuries usually occur as a result of extreme force, such as vehicle collisions, high impact and high-risk activities like skiing or cliff diving, falls, and violent acts like gunshot wounds or physical assaults.
Although fractures can be caused by pain, the bone can become more vulnerable if it is subjected to a less severe impact.
Disc Degeneration
Degeneration can occur due to both genetics and traumatic events. As we age, discs tend to degenerate more frequently. All tissues of the body are affected by aging, including intervertebral disks.
The inner, gel-like core is the thicker portion, and the outer one is the thinner. Both the outer and inner parts of the disc can lose moisture and elasticity over time. This reduces their ability to cushion and stabilize intervertebral joints.
The domino effect begins when the discs shrink in height. The facet joints will change their position when the discs are shorter. This causes more compression at the joint and increases wear on the cartilage between the bones.
As the cartilage becomes less strong, bone spurs develop at the joints. These bone spurs can reduce the amount of space available for nerves. Back pain can also be caused by pinched nerves. Every person is unique. Some people have bone spurs that don’t cause any problems. Some people are not so fortunate.
Exercise, proper body mechanics, and anti-inflammatory pain medication are some of the treatments for disc degeneration.
Scoliosis
This is an unusual side curve of your spine. Rotated vertebrae are common. It can also be genetic. In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. It is more common in females than in males. It is more common in adolescents.
Scoliosis is not known to cause back pain. If you feel pain, it is usually due to a disc problem or joint problem that has developed from an abnormal curve. Scoliosis can also be caused by deteriorating vertebral joints and discs. This type of scoliosis is called degenerative scoliosis and occurs later in life.
Because of the different degrees of abnormal curvature, treatment options can vary. The abnormality is usually not significant for most people. However, it is a good idea to have an annual checkup to see if the curve is growing.
Bracing, exercise, and physical therapy are some of the options. Spinal fusion may be required if the curve is severe enough that it affects lung function, balance, and nerve function.
Rare But Serious Spine Problems
Your spine can be affected by a variety of other conditions. Those mentioned here are quite serious. All of these require medical attention.
Spinal Cord Injury
The spinal nerves can be damaged, and the person may become partially or completely paralyzed. These injuries usually occur as a result of trauma, such as falling from a horse or diving into shallow water.
Some of the diseases and conditions discussed in this article can also cause damage to the spinal cord. The spinal canal narrowing due to stenosis can cause severe damage to the nerves and spinal cord.
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Trauma or disease can cause this rare disorder. Your spinal cord becomes the cauda equina bundle of nerves in the lower back, called the lumbar spine. It resembles a horse’s tail.
These nerves control lower body functions such as the bladder, legs, genitals, and bowels. The possibility of Cauda-equina syndrome has been raised.
Infections, Cancer, And Tumors
Infections of the spine can be caused by bacteria or organisms from other parts of the body. A tooth abscess or skin infection could be the source. The affected area may become tender and swell once it reaches the spine. Infections can cause fevers.
Cancers can originate elsewhere in the body and then travel to the spine. While the pain caused by a spinal tumor may be similar to other back conditions, it is more severe than strain or sprain conditions.
A physician should be consulted if back pain persists in young adults or children. There are some childhood tumors that can show up in the spine.
Psychological Stress
Stress is believed to be the root cause of all back pain. Some doctors disagree. Others disagree. We know that back pain can have obvious physical causes. Imaging technology can show pinched nerves and fractured vertebrae.
These are possible causes of the pain and can be confirmed with further analysis. Some pains, such as back pain, may have unknown causes. Stress can cause muscles to tense up. For example, long-term muscle tension in your jaw can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) pain.
All kinds of negative reactions can be triggered by stress. What causes stress? Psychological counseling is often able to provide answers to these questions. This is particularly helpful for people whose back pain may be caused by issues like sexual assault, chronic illness, depression, and so on.
Back pain can sometimes be used to address job dissatisfaction or to receive attention from a spouse who is not caring.
Stress is a normal part of everyday life. Stress can be caused by stress in many areas, including child-rearing, romantic relationships, and financial difficulties.
Each person will respond differently to stress. It is possible to manage stress and stop it from becoming more severe. Meditation, exercise, and other relaxation methods can help a lot.
Summary
- Statistics say that your back pain will be of the strain or sprain type. This means you have pulled a muscle, ligament, or both.
- Strengthen your core abdominal muscles to support your sport or lifestyle. Stretching can be used to prevent and treat common strains and sprains.
- Pinched nerves, arthritis, and fractures are less common but can cause back pain. These issues require medical attention.
- All parts of your body are affected by aging, including the discs in your spine and the bones that make up your spine. They can become damaged by lifestyle choices and diseases.
- Back pain can be caused by psychological stress.
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