Most of us will suffer from back problem at least once in our life. Statistics show that 80% of Americans will experience this condition in their lifetime. Back problem affects all age groups although studies have determined that there is significantly higher incidence of back problems with those in the 30 to 60 years age group.
Back pain is troubling, it is a common cause for employees to be absent from work. It brings discomfort although it usually does not require urgent hospital treatment, except in a few cases. Below are the common causes of back pain.
Back Muscle Strain
Discounting the major medical conditions that cause back pain, strain on the back muscle is most common. Normally, an aching or severe pain is felt at the back, resulting after an activity, lifting heavy object or sudden movement. Bad posture is a major culprit for back muscle sprain.
Awkward position like bending for a long period of time is another. Your lower back bears the weight of your upper torso when you bend. Also take note of this when lifting heavy objects. Do not lift a heavy object from the floor up in a bent position but make sure that you start with both knees fully bent before lifting the object so that your legs, not your back, will carry the weight.
Back pain may be caused or aggravated by being overweight. When you are overweight, there is too much weight in your upper back that will cause unnecessary strain in your lower back.
Lumbar Herniated Disc or Sciatica
When a nerve root in the lower spine is strongly compressed, pain and numbness that moves along the sciatic nerve is likely to result. This large nerve serves the buttocks, legs and feet.
Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
This disease causes the breakdown of the lumbar disc between the vertebrae causing inflammation in the lower back, resulting in chronic lower back pain, muscle spasms, and sometimes sciatica. Patients as young as 20 can be affected by this disease.
Slipped Disc
This is the slipping forward of a vertebra in the low back on the disc space below it. The fracture usually occurs in childhood, and does not normally bring about a lot of pain until a patient’s young adulthood.
Spine Joints Degeneration
Individuals over 60 are most likely to have this condition and the resulting back pain. Osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are two of the most common causes of back pain in older adults.
Degenerative Arthritis or Osteoarthritis of the Spine
The breakdown of the cartilage between the facet joints in the spine causes this condition, which develops over time.
While most back problems do not need urgent and prolonged hospital treatments, a few conditions associated with having a back pain do require medical emergencies, such as in the case involving any type of spinal infection, tumor or fracture.
Obviously, there are many conditions that are within your control if you want to have a strong back and healthy existence as you enjoy the productive times of your life.