Causes Of Back Pain

Back pain can be linked to the bony lumbar spine, ligaments around the spine and discs, discs between the vertebrae, lower back muscles, spinal cord and nerves, the skin around the lumbar area and abdominal and pelvic internal organs.

Upper back pain can be caused by disorders of the aorta, spine inflammation, and tumors in the chest. This article briefly discusses what causes back pain.

Potential Causes

Issues with the spine, such as osteoporosis can be a cause of back pain.

The human back is mainly composed of a complex structure of ligaments, muscles, discs,tendons, and bones, that work together to support the body and help us move around.

Each segment of the spine is cushioned with cartilage-like pads called discs.

Issues with any of these parts of the body can cause back pain. In some cases of its hard to identify a cause .

Damage can result from medical conditions, strain, and poor posture, among other factors.

Strain On The Back

Back pain is commonly a result of tension, strain, or injury. Frequent causes of back pain are as follows:

  • Strained muscles or ligaments
  • Muscle spasms
  • Muscle tension
  • damaged disks
  • Fractures, falls or injuries

Activities which can result in strains or spasms include:

  • lifting something improperly
  • lifting something too heavy
  • making an abrupt and awkward movement

Structural problems

Several structural problems may also result in back pain.

  • Ruptured disks: Discs cushion each vertebra in the spine. In case the disc is ruptured there will be more pressure on nerves, causing back pain.
  • Bulging disks: similar to a ruptured disc, a bulging disc can cause more pressure nerves.
  • Sciatica: bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve causes a sharp and shooting pain that is felt through the buttock and along the back of a leg.
  • Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause issues with hip joints, the lower part of the back, and other surrounding parts of the body. Sometimes, the space around the spinal cord gets narrower. This condition is called spinal stenosis.
  • Abnormal curvature in the spine: In some cases, the spine curves in an unusual way, back pain can result. An example is when the spine curves to the side, a condition known as scoliosis of the spine.
  • Osteoporosis: Some bones, including the vertebrae in the spine, become brittle and porous, making compression fractures more likely to happen.
  • Kidney problems: Kidney infection or kidney infection can lead to back pain.

Movement and posture

Back pain can also be caused by poor posture or some everyday activities.

Examples include:

  • Twisting and turning
  • Coughing or sneezing roughly
  • Muscle tension
  • Over-stretching
  • Bending awkwardly or for long periods
  • Pulling, pushing, carrying, or lifting something too heavy
  • Sitting or standing for long intervals
  • straining the neck forwards, such as when using a computer or driving
  • long driving sessions, even when not in a hunched posture
  • sleeping on a bad mattress which does not support the body and keep the spine straight