If you wake up every morning with back pain, you’re not alone. Experts estimate that as much as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some point in their lifetime. Determining the cause of back pain is essential in developing a treatment plan.
While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest movements, like picking up something off the ground, can have painful results. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to pinpoint what is causing your back pain. It may be caused by several factors, including:
Strains and sprains
Muscle strains and sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. Activities that can lead to strains or sprains include:
- Lifting something improperly
- Lifting something too heavy
- Making an abrupt and awkward movement
A muscle sprain occurs when ligaments (the tough bands of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint) are torn or overstretched from their attachments. On the other hand, a muscle strain is caused when the muscle fibers or tendons are overstretched or torn.
Disc injury
A spinal disc has a soft, jellylike center (nucleus) encased on a tougher, rubbery exterior (annulus). Sometimes the nucleus pushes out through a tear in the annulus and can irritate a nearby nerve, which is known as a herniated disc. Most herniated discs occur in the lower back, although they can also occur in the neck.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spinal cord. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. Common symptoms include:
- Numbness or tingling in a hand, arm, foot or leg
- Pain or cramping in one or both legs
- Weakness in a foot or leg
Abnormal spine curvatures
There are three main types of spine curvature disorders, including:
- Lordosis: The spine curves significantly inward at the lower back
- Kyphosis: An abnormally rounded upper back (more than 50 degrees of curvature)
- Scoliosis: The spine curve is often S-shaped or C-shaped
Abnormal spine curvatures are usually first diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. The abnormal curvature can cause significant pain and poor posture because it places pressure on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and vertebrae.
Movement and posture
Unsupported postures can cause the weight on your spine to disperse incorrectly, which can weaken the tissues in your lower back. As a result, the muscles, discs, and joints in the back are pushed beyond their limit, causing back pain. Similarly, a sudden injury from lifting a heavy object incorrectly can cause back pain and dysfunction.
Contact us
At Comprehensive Medical Care, our skilled team of physicians and therapists specialize in creating a personalized treatment strategy with each individual patient’s goals and condition in mind. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality of non-surgical care for back pain in a welcoming, caring environment. If you are experiencing back pain, contact our team today.
