Back pain can stop you from exercising, playing sports, or performing physical tasks at work or at home, such as lifting items. While back pain is common, there are many potential causes of it. Finding out why you’re having back pain is the first step in being able to treat it effectively, so you can resume your normal activities. These are some of the possible causes of back pain, as well as the risk factors that increase your chance of having it.
Strain
Straining your ligaments or muscles can lead to back pain, especially if you lift heavy objects on a regular basis. You can also strain ligaments or muscles in your back if you move awkwardly, such as twisting around suddenly. You might have a higher risk of this happening if you play basketball or other sports that require you to make abrupt turns, pivots, and similar movements.
Spinal Disc Problems
Problems with your spinal discs can result in back pain in your lower, mid, or upper back. Spinal discs cushion the bones that make up your spine. Injuries or wear and tear can cause damage to these discs, leading to back pain. Spinal disc problems include ruptured, herniated, or bulging discs. This happens when the inner portion of spinal discs bulges or tears, which can put pressure on nearby nerves. Keep in mind that spinal disc problems can occur without causing any back pain, though. Degenerative disc disease is another spinal disc problem that can develop, especially as you age.
Arthritis
Arthritis can cause back pain and stiffness as you get older. This condition can develop as the cartilage on the ends of your bones erodes, causing them to bump against each other. You can end up having arthritis in your lower back, especially if you have a family history of this condition or if you’ve had previous back injuries.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when your bones become weaker with age. When this happens, your spinal bones or vertebrae are more vulnerable to fracturing, which can lead to back pain.
Risk Factors for Back Pain
When you have one or more risk factors, your chance of developing back pain increases. Keep in mind that back pain can occur in any individual, though, even those without any risk factors. The risk factors that raise the risk of back pain include having a sedentary lifestyle with little to no exercise, being overweight, and getting older. Your risk of having back pain increases as you age due to wear and tear on your spine. Being overweight adds strain to your back muscles and ligaments, while being sedentary causes your back muscles to be weaker. Lifting heavy items with your back rather than your knees can also increase your risk of having back pain.
If you’re looking for relief from back pain, please contact Huntington Orthopedics to schedule an appointment. Our orthopedic team can help you find the right treatment to ease back pain.