Because there are many causes of back pain, knowing exactly why your back is giving you some trouble is the key to its proper treatment before it could get worse. One thing is sure about back pain- it is not the disease itself. Back pain is a symptom of something that needs your attention and should be treated right away.
Majority of patients complaining of back pain do not have serious diseases. The pain usually caused by strained muscles due to a physical activity. These activities include long hours of sedentary position such as sitting, standing, or stooping or while doing exercises. Among the causes, muscle strain is the easiest to deal with.
Another cause of pain is ruptured disc that compresses the spinal nerve. This type of injury could result from sudden lifting of heavy objects especially with wrong body position. It could also be caused by constant and repetitive vibrations from a machine that creates tension on the vertebral discs.
Another physical factor that causes back injury is weight gain. As one gains weight, it puts more pressure on the bones that need to carry the additional weight. This weight is commonly concentrated on the lower back causing paralyzing pain.
Pregnant women could also experience severe back pain. Among the causes of back pain, this is the least to worry about because the pain typically disappears after delivery of the baby. The pain is usually caused by the expanding pelvic area putting pressure on the surrounding bones and joints including the lower back.
Osteoarthritis is common among people fifty and above. This skeletal disease may affect the joints of the spine causing severe back pain. Osteoarthritis is a kind of degenerative disease where the cartilage that cushions the joints is damaged. This causes the bones to rub directly with each other without any lubricating layer. The result is swollen joints that are very painful. The pain progresses in severity if left untreated. In this type of disease, surgery is often needed.
With old age also comes another degenerative disease called osteoporosis. This is characterized by the weakening of the bones due to mineral insufficiency specifically calcium. With the depletion of bone minerals, the bones lose their density making it weak and susceptible to fractures. This condition also creates unbearable pain on the back. Osteoporosis commonly affects elderly women especially those with poor diet.
A more serious disease that could affect the back bones is tumor. Unlike other causes of pain, pain arising from a tumor is often progressive and persistent. The pain is also not alleviated by rest or lack of movement. Any suspicion of a tumor growth should be properly diagnosed as it is possible to develop into spinal cancer.
It is always good to remember that any pain involving the back could be an indication of a more serious problem so it is always best to seek professional advice. Any of the causes of back pain should be properly handled by a qualified professional for proper treatment. When properly diagnosed, right treatments and precautions could be provided to avert the situation, lessen the pain, or delay its effect.