What are the Common Causes of Back Pain?

Back pain usually occurs because something is off in
the way your spinal joints, disc, muscles, and nerves fit together and move.
You should visit your doctor in case you have severe back pain and your doctor
will check to see if you have the following causes due to which back pain is
occurring and these are:

a)    Herniated Discs: Herniated disc can cause pain in your lower back or hip because the nerves of that area are pressed and it usually causes by wear and tear.

b)    Degenerative Disc Disease: This is one of the major causes of your back pain where the discs or shock absorbers between your spine’s vertebrae gets shrink or tear which can cause the bones to rub together and this condition may happen as you get older.

c)    Spinal Stenosis: In case, you are dealing with spinal stenosis where your spinal canal has narrowed and this will adds pressure on your spine and nerves which results that feel numbness in your legs and shoulders probably. This is a condition which happens to many people older than the age of 60 years.

d)    Spondylolisthesis: This is a cause where the bone in the spine slips forward and out of place, typically in your lower back. The degenerative form of this condition is known as arthritis, which weakens your joints and ligaments keeping the spine aligned. This condition can cause a disc to move forward over a vertebra.

e)    Inflammation and Wear of the Sacroiliac Joint: This is located in the area where your spine and pelvis come together. It does not move much, but it’s important because it moves the upper body load to the lower body. Inflammation and wearing away of the sacroiliac joint cartilage can happen after an injury and the reason could be arthritis, infection, or even pregnancy.

f)    Cervical Radiculopathy: Cervical radiculopathy is a pinched nerve of your spine and it is usually caused by a bone spur or a herniated disc.

g)    Accidents and Injuries: Road accidents and injuries such as muscle sprains, strains, and fractures are also causes of back pain. Injuries can cause some of the physical problems, but some can cause pain throughout your life.

How the causes of back
pain can be treated?

There are following methods through which the causes
of back pain can be treated and these are:

a)    Exercise and Physical Therapy: The water exercises are especially safe for a sore back as the water supports your weight, which can make you more comfortable, and also builds your strength. It is best to do the aquatic therapy which makes you more flexible and lessen the pain for chronic low back problems.

Yoga is the best exercise which increases your
flexibility, strength, and sense of balance. It’s good for stress relief and
also helps you to deal with the pain.

Physical therapy is also the best way to reduce the
back pain with a variety of techniques which includes:

•    Massage

•    Heat

•    Ultrasound

b)    Medication: If you are dealing with severe back pain then your doctor may prescribe some stronger pain medicines or muscle relaxants, however, there are some of these prescribed medicines can make you drowsy.

The antidepressant duloxetine may help in the condition of arthritis and chronic lower back pain. Usually, the doctors prescribe antidepressants and anticonvulsants for pain related to irritated nerves. Steroids which you take usually will not be recommended for acute low back pain. Your specialist may inject steroids directly into your back which help in controlling the back pain.

c)    Acupuncture: This is one of the best treatments which provide relief from the chronic low back pain. In this therapy, the doctor places the thin and dry needles gently into your skin at specific points may trigger the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers so that you have a higher pain tolerance. Generally, the doctors advise using this therapy along with other treatments.

d)    Chiropractic and Osteopathic: Spinal manipulation is the effective therapy for acute low back pain; however, it may not be an effective therapy for chronic back pain.

Getting the chiropractic adjustments soon after you
have hurt can prevent chronic problems later.

An osteopath is a therapy which combines with drug
therapy with spinal manipulation or traction, followed by physical therapy and
exercise.

e)    Surgery: Surgery is the last option for chronic back pain when you have a herniated disk or a pinched nerve from the spinal cord.