Back pain is one of the most common conditions that affect people’s quality of life, with up to 80 percent of the population suffering from it at some point during their lives. Back pain can have several causes, from inactivity to spinal conditions. Dr. Marc Persson, a chiropractor situated in Pennsylvania, explores some of the most common causes of back pain and offers solutions to move forward with a healthier life.
1. Muscle and Ligament Strains
These injuries can come about due to overuse, as in a patient with a job that requires frequent heavy lifting, or they can come about suddenly as a patient makes a sudden movement they are not accustomed to. If you are not in good physical condition, it is more likely that you will suffer from muscle and ligament strains.
To avoid muscle and ligament strains, try to get into good shape. Being overweight is also a problem associated with muscle and ligament strains. The body has a difficult time keeping itself upright and steady when a person is too heavy for their build. Also, be sure that you lift carefully, using your legs rather than your back alone. These provisions can help you avoid preventable back pain.
2. Disk Problems
The spine is composed of the vertebrae and disks, the cartilaginous tissue that protects the vertebrae from rubbing together. These disks can be misaligned, ruptured, or slipped. This can cause severe back pain, particularly in the lower back. However, not everyone who has a slipped disc experiences pain. Sometimes this condition is discovered when a spinal X-ray is performed for another reason.
Disk pain may not be able to be avoided, but it is important to see a physician or chiropractor as soon as possible when these problems are suspected.
3. Arthritis
Arthritis is an extremely common cause of back pain. Arthritis happens when the cartilage between the bones and joints breaks down, leaving the bones to rub against each other and causing joint damage, which is irreversible. Osteoarthritis is a particular concern for the lower back. In the worst cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to spinal stenosis or a restriction in the spine, which prevents the spinal cord from moving freely. This can lead to serious pain.
Arthritis is another condition which may not be able to be prevented, but managing your arthritis pain with a chiropractor or rheumatologist can help you live a healthier and more active life.
4. Scoliosis
Excess curvature of the spine is called scoliosis. While this condition is often diagnosed in childhood, it does not usually cause back pain until middle age. Patients should be careful to maintain good posture at all times. In younger patients, wearing a back brace can help to halt the condition and to provide a healthier spine for years to come.
5. Osteoporosis
According to Dr. Marc Persson, osteoporosis is another largely preventable disease which can cause serious back pain. In osteoporosis, the bones become brittle. This disease generally affects women since their bones do not absorb enough calcium after menopause. Dr. Persson believes that hormonal changes make the bones more likely to break. Osteoporosis spine fractures are especially painful.
To prevent osteoporosis, women of all ages should make sure that they are consuming enough calcium. They should also engage in weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the bones and muscles.
6. Psychological Conditions
People suffering from anxiety and depression are more likely to experience body aches and pains, including back pain. The mechanism behind this pain is not known, but the mind and body connection cannot be overstated. People who have their anxiety and depression treated by a doctor or therapist are more likely to overcome their back pain and other problems.
7. Smoking
Smoking restricts blood flow to the spine, which prevents the body from receiving enough nutrients. Quitting smoking is best for everyone, and these types of effects can be reversed by quitting. Smoking is also a factor in reducing the speed of healing.
8. Undiagnosed Diseases
Back pain can also be a hidden symptom of cancer. Sometimes back pain will present in the body for an unknown reason, and it will be discovered that a tumor or growth is pressing on the spinal nerves. This is rarer than the other causes of back pain, but it underscores the importance of having all back pain checked by a qualified physician or chiropractor.
Dealing with Back Pain
Visiting a chiropractor can be an excellent way to deal with back pain. With their careful and practiced manipulations, chiropractors can help to move the spine back to its best position. Dr. Marc Persson encourages all people who suffer from back pain to see a physician or chiropractor right away to prevent the problems from getting worse.
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