Factors That Can Cause Back Pain

spinal stenosis

Back pain is known to be one of the most common complaints in the whole world. It is so common that it has become normal for most people that they just shrug it off and carry on with their lives. Though it is usually lasts for only a short time, it's still a good idea to understand why we are experiencing back pain so we can somehow prevent any future pain or complications.

The most common origin of back pain are our muscle tissues but it can also originate from our nerves, joints, bones and other structures around our vertebrae. One of the most important things we should realize is that it is not a medical condition itself. In reality, it is a symptom of a condition that one may have. Let's look at the conditions that can cause back pain:

• Medical conditions - such as intervertebral disc degeneration, herniated discs, muscle spasms and muscle tension may cause back discomfort. They are caused by the movements of our vertebrae and by the tightness of our muscles. Age can also cause these medical conditions because some elements of our spine wear down as we age. Other conditions include scoliosis, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, pregnancy, and even kidney stones can also lead to back pain.

• Injuries - like back bone sprains and fractures can obviously lead to back discomfort. Accidents like falls can also cause it. This is because these injuries and accidents weaken our backbone and make it more sensitive. It then becomes more susceptible to strain and tension. For this reason, it is easier for someone who has experienced a back injury or accident to feel back discomfort.

• Smoking - There are many studies that have linked smoking to back pain. If you are a smoker, you are more susceptible to it than non-smokers. This is because smoking deteriorates our spinal discs by clogging up our arteries that bring blood, nutrients and oxygen to our lower spine. Smoking can also slow down the healing process which in turn prolongs the pain for people who have undergone back surgery or injuries.

• Job - Your job may be the cause why you are experiencing back discomfort if you job involves a lot of lifting, sitting, bending or constant vibration. All these activities add strain to our back muscles and may even alter our postural alignment in the long run. These simple activities can cause back discomforts especially if done for long period of time.