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Why is my back aching? This is one of the most frequently asked questions in everybody’s life. Causes of back pain are many; if your pain persists for several days or is getting worse, it is best to consult a doctor. Back pain is often related to poor posture, but not always. There could be serious conditions behind intense back pains, and pinpointing the reasons is not always easy. Given below are some of the most common causes of back aches.
Muscle and ligament injuries:
This is the most common cause of back pain. Injuries to the muscles and ligaments can occur by excessive or improper lifting of heavy objects, bad posture, and obesity. Spasms often happen in case of severe injuries as a natural reaction of the body to avoid further damage.
Degenerative joint disease of the spine:
Degeneration of the disks that make up the backbone is one of the major causes of backache, especially among seniors. The gaps between the disks gradually reduce with age, causing stiffness and pain. The disease is often called as osteoarthritis, and may also occur in younger people who do long hours of physical activity.
Herniated disk:
This is a condition in which a disk between the vertebrae shifts out of position and protrudes out. It is also called as a ruptured disk or slipped disk. The protruding disk tears through ligaments surrounding it and causes pain. If the disk touches a nerve of the spine, it causes more pain. The pain spreads to the areas to which the nerve runs. Herniated disk may occur due regular wear and tear or traumas.
Osteoporosis:
Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones become very porous, break easily, and heal slowly. It may lead to curvature of the spine after vertebrae collapse. With age, the density of the skeleton becomes lower. Traumas or a fall could easily break some of the weak bones and cause pain. Lifting, pulling or pushing objects can also lead to back pain.
Spondylolisthesis:
This is a condition where one vertebra slips forward on the next. This not only deforms the spine but also narrows the gaps in the spinal column leading to pain. The pain lessens when the spine is extended and increases when it is flexed. Pain could extend to the legs in case of Spondylolisthesis.
Stenosis:
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows. Joints and the disks between the vertebrae degenerate with age leading to stiffness and pain. The narrowed gaps cause impingement of nerves leading to pain.
Fractures:
Fractures in the back can happen after a fall, due to violent compressive loads, or due to seat belts of cars after a sudden stop.
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