It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, an office worker or a construction worker—back pain affects people of all ages and all walks of life. But what factors contribute to back pain? In this blog, the team at The Spine & Pain Center of California, your Fremont pain management clinic of choice, will break down the most common causes of back pain. The more you know about the causes of back pain, the more you’ll be able to take preventative action and minimize your back pain!
Muscle or Ligament Strain
We’re sure your parents have told you to “lift with your legs” at some point—they’re right. If you’re spending a lot of time doing heavy lifting at work or in the weight room, that physical stress can take a toll on your body—all it takes is one heavy lift or an awkward movement to send pain shooting up your back.
Be sure to lift carefully in all aspects of life, take plenty of time to rest between lifting, and avoid taking on lifts that push your body to its limits. One questionable lift can leave you with muscle spasms or a back injury that could make future lifting a lot more difficult.
Bulging or Ruptured Disks
Disks are soft cushions that pad the areas between the bones, or the vertebrae, or your spine. Without these disks in full working order (or in the right location), you could run the risk of bones rubbing together in a painful manner, or a nerve being pinched. This is why bulging and ruptured disks are such a problem. The worst part? There are certain situations where the ruptured and bulging disks won’t cause any pain or discomfort, but could still cause damage to you back or spine. This is informally known as a “disk disease” and is usually uncovered during X-rays for non-related procedures.
Arthritis
Arthritis often manifests itself in the lower back area, and can actually narrow the space around the spinal cord, causing pain, tingling, numbness, and a variety of other symptoms. This is usually due to compression of the nerves in the spine.
Talk to your doctor if you’re developing symptoms of arthritis, or are experiencing symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the back, legs, or buttocks. It’s important to have a grasp on arthritis early on to curtail its effects and improve your overall comfort levels.
Poor Posture
Sometimes, back pain can be fixed by simply sitting with better posture or sitting less. If you spend a lot of your time in an office chair or on the couch, you’re putting three times the amount of pressure on your lower back than you would if you were standing. Stay active and sit less, and you’re guaranteed to have less back pain.
Talk to your Fremont pain management clinic today!
If you’re experiencing any back pain or signs of back or spinal problems, the time to act is now. The Spine & Pain Center of California is your source for advanced back pain treatment, allowing you to feel happier and healthier in your everyday life. Schedule an appointment with us today!
