Causes of Back Pain
What is back pain?
Back pain is a very prevalent issue and will affect most of us throughout our lives at some point. The good news is that it’s not a severe condition in most situations, and it might only be caused by a slight strain on a muscle or ligament.
It’s best to proceed as soon as possible with your usual daily activities and keep moving as long as necessary. Even if you have a little bit of pain and discomfort at first, being active and exercising will not make your back pain worse. Staying active will help you get stronger.
Taking painkillers can assist you in doing so.
Causes
Back pain also has no single simple cause but may be caused by one or more of the following:
- Poor posture
- A lack of exercise causes the spine and weak muscles to stiffen.
- Strains or sprains in muscles.
Besides the conditions mentioned above, there are also specific conditions associated with back pain. Bear in mind that extreme pain doesn’t always mean that there is a severe problem.
Below are some common conditions listed:
- Spondylosis
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
Other causes
Other more rare causes of back pain are:
Bone problems such as fractures are also related to bone thinning, known as osteoporosis.
- Catching an infection
- A tumor
- Inflammation, for example, is the condition of ankylosing spondylitis.
When to see a doctor
Most back pain cases tend to clear up without seeing a doctor, even though it’s normal. You should see your doctor if you are suffering from pain, that is:
- bad
- lasts for a long time.
- It stops you from working or doing the activities you love
- It affects your everyday activities
- is getting worse.
If you experience any changes in sexual function, for example, being unable to get an erection, you should also see your doctor.
Your doctor will first examine you and ask whether the pain causes you considerable difficulties and prevents you from continuing with daily life and work activities.
These questions will help determine how likely it is that your back pain will require further treatment. If you need more support to get treatment early, help with the pain, and return to normal activities, your doctor can refer you to a physiotherapist.
It’s normal to want to know what caused the pain in your back. However, even after thoroughly examining you, doctors can not tell what has caused your back pain.
It will help to talk openly about your issues with a healthcare professional if you are worried about the cause of your back pain, as reducing any fear can help speed up your recovery.
