Feb 15

What Are The Common Causes of Back Pain?

It is difficult to pinpoint a single causative factor for back pain. However, what seems to be the most likely culprit for back pain is the modern lifestyle. Every eight out of ten adults is bound to suffer from some or the other form of back pain in his or her lifetime. 21st century lifestyle is mostly sedentary.

There is barely enough time for exercise, as all work is done via computer or other machines. This sedentary lifestyle inevitably leads to back pains. The other reasons for back pain are poor posture, natural degeneration of bone and muscle mass, injuries, etc.

Common Causes of Back Pain:

Natural Degeneration of the Bone

The spine is made up of vertebrae, discs, nerves. With age and time, the spine loses its elasticity. This leads to back pain. Moreover, individual parts that make the spine degenerate as well which is responsible for various ailments that are responsible for back pain.

For example, spinal disc degeneration coupled with the joint disease is responsible for spinal stenosis. This is not only painful but exceedingly inconvenient, as well. Spinal Stenosis makes it impossible to walk even short distances or even stand for longer than usual.

Poor Posture

Since childhood we have been taught the importance of a good posture. However, more often than not, we forget the golden rule off standing and sitting erect.

We slump while working on the computer, or while watching TV. While the effects are not immediately noticeable, back pain and stiff neck ensues over time.

Loss of Lubrication

Loss of moisture or lubrication between the joints is the chief cause of neck pain, stiff neck. As the intervetebral disc loses it moisture and volume, it gives rise to a condition which is medically termed as spondylosis.

Spondolysis is an extremely painful condition that again can cripple life. Even a slight trauma is enough to cause a painful inflammation that spreads over the nape. This problem is more evident among those who work for long hours at the computer.

Inflammation of the Spine

Noninfectious inflammation of the spine or Spondylitis. This condition develops early; even young children can be afflicted with spondylitis.

Again there is no particular reason for developing spondylitis. But it leads to painful episodes, more so in the morning.

Accidents or Back Injuries

Accidents or back injuries take long to heal and are painful. Proper rest, exercise aids the healing process. And of course the older you get the longer it takes for the healing.

How to Relieve Back Pain?

Back pain generally starts as a sharp stab of pain, and with time progresses into chronic ailment that can completely destabilize life.

Some back pains are mild and go away after a couple of days without any treatment. These could arise because of muscle spasm.

However, the chronic versions of back pain require medical attention. Provided below are few conditions that are responsible for back pain.

  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Facet Joint Syndrome
  • Forward Head Posture
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
  • Somatic Pain and Your Back
  • Vertebral Compression Fracture
  • Upper Back Pain
  • Herniated Disc
  • Neck Pain
  • Scoliosis
  • Sciatica

In case you are diagnosed with any of the above condition, it best to make timely lifestyle changes.

Calcium Supplements and Exercise

Medicines generally offer a limited relief. Most of the painkillers lose its effectiveness with time. While you can eschew pain killers completely and stick to yoga and stretching exercises, ensure that you have sufficient vitamin and calcium supplements in your diet.

Additionally incorporate greens and low fat dairy products in your diet.

Avoid salt and junk food; these aid depletion of bone mass. This is all the more important in case you have reached middle age.

Make Lifestyle Changes

While it is impossible to completely cure the symptom completely, timely action, proper exercise, therapeutic exercises, acupuncture, yoga, etc., can, to an extent, stop the damage. And most important correct your posture before it is too late.

Inversion Therapy

Inversion therapy is also a successful way of getting relief from back pain. Inversion therapy is the act of inverting by an angle. This decompresses and elongates the spine not only making it more flexible but also relieving the pain.

There have been several success stories in which patients were able to get back their former lifestyle after trying the inversion therapy. Inversion Therapy offers the quickest relief form back pain.

Summary

To sum up, back pain is undoubtedly a nuisance, but it is possible to get relief from it by opting for a healthier lifestyle. Exercise, proper diet and stress free life go a long way in alleviating pain.