Your lower back is responsible for carrying most of your weight and is the area where most back pain occurs, according to the Mayo Clinic. The American Chiropractic Association states that back pain is the one of the most common reasons for missed work and the second leading cause of doctor visits. A variety of conditions can cause back pain, which can range from mild to severe. Knowing the causes may help you prevent the injuries that are the underlying culprits.
Strains and Sprains
Strains and sprains are the most common cause of back pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. An injury to a muscle is referred to as a strain, while an injured ligament is called a sprain. Excess body weigh, lifting heavy objects improperly and bad posture are all contributing factors to these types of injuries. The lower back is a turning point for the waist, which makes it especially vulnerable to muscle injuries.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative arthritis that occurs more frequently in older adults. It is a breakdown of the disks between the bones; as these disks deteriorate, less cushion is available and the joints between the vertebrae press tightly against one another. This causes stiffness and loss of motion as well as pain.
Peter F. Ullrich, Jr., MD of Spine Health, states that the pain is typically worse first thing in the morning, subsiding slightly through the day as fluid builds up from movement, lubricating the joints and decreasing the pain. The pain begins to worsen as the physical stress of the day begins to take its toll on the joints.
Herniated Disks
Often referred to by patients as a slipped disk, a herniated disk is the result of wear and tear over a period of time. Eventually, this stress causes your disk to rupture, or herniate. In some cases, traumatic injuries, such those often suffered in automobile accidents, can result in the same condition. The pain felt from a herniated disk occurs because the disk pinches one of the many nerves found in the spinal cord.
Non-surgical and surgical treatments are available for this condition. Some of the more common non-surgical approaches include physical therapy, cortisone injections and oral steroids to reduce inflammation. If these methods are not successful, surgery may be required to remove the portion of the disk that is placing pressure on the nerve.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is another condition that occurs due to age. The Mayo Clinic states it is a result of a decrease in bone calcium. This loss of calcium weakens your bones, making them susceptible to compression fractures. A compression fracture can happen quite easily. If your bones are brittle, fractures can occur even while you're doing something as simple as performing household chores. Falling is another means of obtaining a compression fracture, even if the fall is slight. The pain is a result of these fractures.
