Common Causes of Back Pain

by: MollyCardella
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Our backs take a beating, with up to 80% of the total population suffering pain at least once in their life. It isn't just an ailment of the elderly, either. 4 out of 5 people under the age of 45 suffer enough to take time off work at least once because of their back pain. Back pain is the second leading cause of missing a day.

What are some characteristics of this surprisingly common condition?

Some describe their back pain as a dull ache, while say others say it's a sharp, stabbing pain. Some describe it as a feeling of stiffness or numbness.

Back pain can cause mild discomfort to intolerable agony. On the extreme end, back pain can leave people bed-ridden and suffering nausea, vomiting, and fever. Back pain can be acute (due to a temporary condition like pregnancy), chronic (as with scoliosis), and sporadic (a lifetime of bad posture).

Sufferers agree, however, that this is a condition that lays a patient low both physically and emotionally. Furthermore, it is often, in itself, the cause of further back problems. The condition can create a vicious circle: bad back pains result in bad posture as the sufferer stoops, bends and shuffles at home or at work in an effort to ease the pain. The result: increasing chronic back pain.

What are some causes?

-- Age, an unavoidable fact of life, brings with it back pain. It can be made worse with back disorders such as spinal stenosis.

-- Back pain is also associated with medical conditions like pregnancy, and the pain usually dissipates as the condition ceases.

-- Arthritis is a very common cause of back pain. Athletes and the elderly suffer this the most.

-- A sports injury or car accident may cause back pains. Lumbar sprains and strains or vertebral fractures may result in local, specific back trauma.

-- Poor posture is perhaps the leading culprit of back pain. Those who work manual labor for a longtime can suffer, as well as can those that perform occupations that require sitting or standing for long periods of time, such as secretaries and office jobs.

-- Infections, both viral and bacterial, can cause back pain. Meningitis and urinary tract infections are just a few that result in back pain.

-- Congenital back pain may be caused by certain inherent diseases (those a person may be born with, e.g., curvature of the spine).

-- Back pain can be the result of diseases as well as infections. Gall bladder infections, kidney disease, pancreatitis, as well as many others will cause discomfort.

If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, you should contact your doctor or other professional for treatment advice. There are many treatment options, including alternative treatments that are non-invasive.

About the Author

Molly Cardella owns the Cure Back Pain site. Drop by her website and find out useful info on back pain during pregnancy and more.  

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