Three key causes of back pain

Most people suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. Considering the back is a complex system of nerves, muscles, ligaments, discs, bones and of course the spinal cord, it can be tricky to pinpoint the exact cause of pain.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” cure for back pain and definitely no miracle cure. However, with the right treatment you can reduce the severity and impact of back pain on your life.

1.    Back injury

Injury is a highly common reason for back pain. Either as a result of direct impact from a fall, back strain from heavy lifting, or due to repetitive activities such as sitting for hours typing at a computer with incorrect posture.

Back injury can also occur as a result of bulging, ruptured or herniated discs, and osteoporosis that can lead to compression fractures.

2.    Inflammation

Inflammatory pain is caused by spinal disc inflammation.  This can be related to back injury but is more commonly the result of a medical condition, such as ankylosing spondylitis, that causes the immune system to attack the spine. Other causes of inflammation include arthritis and wear and tear caused by age, infection such as a kidney infection or shingles, and cancer.

3.    Chronic pain

With chronic pain disorders, such as fibromyalgia, the nervous system registers pain but there are no obvious health risks associated with the pain. This can be quite complex for medical professionals to diagnose, and frustrating for patients who have to live with the pain.

Chronic pain can also be the result of genetic factors such as curvature of the spine, or a short leg.

Symptoms of back pain

The symptoms of back pain can vary such as:

·      a dull aching pain

·      sharp pain that can be made worse by movement such as sitting, standing, bending or lifting

·      tingling pain or numbness down the legs or arms

·      loss of range of motion

·      leg or arm weakness

·      stiffness

·      muscle and joint tenderness

·      shooting pain

How high is your risk of back pain?

The following factors are linked to a  higher risk of developing back pain:

  • pregnancy
  • a sedentary lifestyle
  • poor physical fitness
  • older age
  • obesity and excess weight
  • smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
  • strenuous physical exercise or work, especially if done incorrectly
  • long-term repetitive activity, such as computer-based work
  • genetic factors
  • medical conditions, such as arthritis and cancer

Lower back pain is generally more prevalent in women than in men, possibly due to hormonal factors. Stress, anxiety and mood disorders can exacerbate back pain.

When to seek medical help

Short-term back pain can often resolve itself without treatment. However, if any of the following occurs seek medical help:

  • persistent back, joint or limb pain
  • sudden, unexplained weight loss
  • fever
  • inflammation or swelling on the back
  • pain down the legs
  • pain that reaches below the knees
  • a recent injury, blow or trauma to the back
  • urinary incontinence
  • difficulty urinating
  • loss of control over bowel movements
  • numbness around the genitals or buttocks

How to prevent back pain

There are ten key ways to prevent back pain.

  1. Regular exercise helps build strength and control body weight. Low impact aerobics can reduce the risk of straining the back or joints.  Core strengthening exercises strengthen muscles that support the back, while flexibility training helps improve flexibility in the muscles. Consult your health care professional before starting a new exercise program.
  2. A healthy diet with plenty of fresh, organic vegetables and a reduced sugar and fat intake can support bone health and control body weight.
  3. Eliminate smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. A significantly higher number of smokers and heavy drinkers experience pain compared to non-smokers and non-drinkers.
  4. Control body weight. The more weight people carry, the more stress it puts on the skeletal system, which results in pain. People who carry weight in the abdominal area are at greater risk of back pain.
  5. Practice good posture when sitting or standing. Make sure to sit or stand upright, lock your core muscles and keep your head in a neutral position. Avoid slouching as this puts pressure on the spine. When seated, ensure you have good back support and keep your feet flat on the floor.
  6. Use your legs to lift objects rather than your back. When lifting, bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible. As you lift, carefully straighten your legs and try to maintain a straight back position.  Ensure to keep the object you are lifting close to your body. Also ensure to lock your core stomach muscles during lifting. Never lift and twist at the same time. If an object is too heavy to lift on your own, seek some help or use machinery to lift the object for you.
  7. When moving objects across the floor, use your leg strength to push the object rather than pulling it toward you.
  8. Wear flat, supportive and comfortable shoes to reduce strain on the back.
  9. When driving make sure your side mirrors are positioned so that you don’t need to twist. Take plenty of breaks during a long journey where you stop, get out of the car to stretch and walk around.
  10. Sleep on your back or side on a supportive mattress. Never sleep in a position where you have to twist your neck, such as on your stomach.

Chiropractors can diagnose and treat back pain with gentle manipulation techniques that are designed to strengthen and support the spine and joints. For more information and a spinal assessment contact Lane Chiropractic Pottsville on 6676 2270.

Comments

  1. Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.

  2. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my opinion if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did the web will be much more useful than ever before

  3. Hi my family member I want to say that this post is awesome nice written and come with approximately all significant infos I would like to peer extra posts like this

  4. The enthusiasm I have for your work matches your own. Your visual presentation is refined, and the content you’ve authored is of a high caliber. Nevertheless, you appear to be uneasy about the possibility of delivering something that may cause unease. I agree that you’ll be able to address this concern promptly.

  5. O que eu não percebo é que você não é mais bem-favorecido do que você é agora Você é muito inteligente Você sabe muito sobre esse assunto me fez acreditar nisso de vários ângulos diferentes É como homens e as mulheres não ficam fascinadas até que seja algo a ver com Lady gaga Suas próprias coisas excelentes O tempo todo cuide disso

  6. Alguém essencialmente ajudou a tornar os artigos significativos. Id state Esta é a primeira vez que visitei sua página da web e até agora me surpreendi com a pesquisa que você fez para tornar este post incrível Trabalho fantástico

  7. Nice blog here Also your site loads up very fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  8. ในฐานะแพลตฟอร์มการพนันที่มีประสบการณ์ยาวนานหลายปี fun88 มุ่งมั่นที่จะมอบประสบการณ์การพนันออนไลน์ที่ปลอดภัย ยุติธรรม และน่าตื่นเต้นแก่ผู้เล่น.fun88 มือถือ

  9. Simply Sseven You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  10. you are in reality a just right webmaster The site loading velocity is incredible It seems that you are doing any unique trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have performed a wonderful task on this topic

  11. Your blog has become an indispensable resource for me. I’m always excited to see what new insights you have to offer. Thank you for consistently delivering top-notch content!

  12. What i do not realize is in fact how you are no longer actually much more wellfavored than you might be right now Youre very intelligent You recognize thus considerably in relation to this topic made me in my view believe it from numerous numerous angles Its like men and women are not fascinated until it is one thing to do with Lady gaga Your own stuffs excellent All the time handle it up

  13. Its like you read my mind You appear to know so much about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit but other than that this is fantastic blog A great read Ill certainly be back

  14. okestream net okestream net
    okestream net okestream net (https://northernfortplayhouse.com/)
    I like reading through a post that will make men and women think.

    Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!

  15. sgcwin sgcwin sgcwin sgcwin
    I do consider all the ideas you have offered for your post.
    They’re really convincing and can certainly work.
    Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for starters.
    May just you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.

  16. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my opinion if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did the web will be much more useful than ever before

  17. Masalqseen I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.

  18. I do trust all the ideas youve presented in your post They are really convincing and will definitely work Nonetheless the posts are too short for newbies May just you please lengthen them a bit from next time Thank you for the post

  19. Hey there You have done a fantastic job I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends Im confident theyll be benefited from this site

Leave a Reply