Common Causes Of Back Pain: Why Your Back Hurts

Back pain is a leading cause of disability, causing many to miss work or seek treatment. In many cases, it can be treated with home remedies or with a chiropractic adjustment in Denver. You might need surgery in severe cases.

Backache is usually caused by injuries, activities or medical conditions. It’s often related to occupation or age but can affect anyone. Identifying the cause is important to define what type of treatment and after-treatment plan you need. Your doctor may notice the following underlying reasons when you consult them:

Strain/Sprain

You might have sprained or strained your back muscles, ligaments or tendons. This often happens after repeatedly lifting heavy objects or making awkward movements. People who aren’t in top shape are especially vulnerable. Other than pain, you might experience tightness or spasms. An expert in functional medicine in Denver can help in such cases.

Trauma

In many cases, backache is a direct result of an injury to the soft tissues or the bones. The injury may be related to incidents like accidents or falls. In many cases, the pain may develop long after the incident due to the adrenaline numbing it until it wears. You should get yourself checked immediately after such incidents.

Bulging Or Ruptured Discs

The spinal discs act as a cushion between the bones of your spine. These cushions are made of soft materials that can bulge or rupture. This causes pain when it touches a nerve root nearby and there are many close to the spine. In many cases, you might not feel any pain if the bulge doesn’t touch a nerve.

Slipped Disc

Slipped disc or spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the discs slips onto another below. This can result in severe back pain if the disc slips back too far. It can also result in pain and numbness in the leg.

Degenerative Disc Disease

As we age, our discs lose water and wear down. It can’t resist a force as well as it used to, putting more stress on the bones. This may lead to tears on the bones, herniation and pain. It may develop into spinal stenosis.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis refers to the process in which the spinal canal gets narrower. This puts some pressure on the nerves and spine, often causing numbness in the legs. It commonly occurs in people above their 60s.

Osteoporosis

It’s a disease in which you lose bone density. Your skeleton, including the vertebrae, becomes porous and brittle.

Arthritis

It is a condition associated with inflammation throughout the joints in the body, including the vertebrae. It’s accompanied by stiffness and pain as well.

Osteoarthritis

It’s a type of arthritis caused by your cartilages and bones breaking down. Middle-aged people may suffer from it.

Structural Issues

Structural problems in the skeleton, especially those related to the spine’s curvature, can cause backaches. These issues may include scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, etc.

Spina Bifida

It’s a congenital disease in which the spinal cord or its protective covering is not completely covered. This leads to the vertebrae not forming properly, abnormal sensation and even paralysis.

Poor Posture

Maintaining a good posture is important to prevent stress on the spinal column. Using bad posture, like slouching, can cause stress on the column, leading to aches.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes pain and tenderness in the muscles throughout the body, including the back. Researchers believe that it amplifies pain by altering how your brain perceives pain and non-pain signals.

Weight Gain

Being overweight or obese can put a lot of stress on your spine trying to keep your body upright. It can also affect your body’s center of gravity, resulting in more stress.

Emotions

Your emotional state can affect your body directly. Stress can create tension in your muscles with anxiety and depression worsening the pain.

Pregnancy

It’s normal to experience back pain during pregnancy due to the presence of the fetus. The pain usually goes away after childbirth.