Understanding Back Pain: Finding the Causes and Solutions

Back pain is a very common affliction that affects millions of people worldwide. In fact, studies show that up to 23% of the world’s adult population suffers from chronic low back pain alone [1].

Back pain can range from a dull ache to an excruciating pain that makes it difficult to perform even simple daily tasks. Since back pain is so common, it’s easy to dismiss it as a minor inconvenience. But it’s important to understand that back pain can be a symptom of underlying health issues that may require medical treatment.

Understanding the cause of your back pain is crucial to finding the right solutions. In this article, we will explore different types of back pain, their possible causes, and what it might mean for you. We will also discuss how lifestyle changes, exercise, and medical treatment can help alleviate back pain and improve your overall health.

Whether you suffer from occasional back discomfort or chronic pain, we provide valuable insights on how to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Back pain causes

Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, muscle strain, injury, spinal problems, and underlying medical conditions.

Poor Posture

Poor posture is a leading cause of back pain, particularly lower back pain, and it is often the result of prolonged sitting or standing in a slouched position. This can cause muscle strain and tension in the back, leading to pain and discomfort. It can also cause more significant, long-term complications, such as spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, and deformations like rounded shoulders.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain is another common cause of back pain, and it occurs when the muscles in the back are stretched or torn. This can result from lifting heavy objects, making sudden movements, or overuse of the muscles.

Injury

Back pain can also be a common result of injuries such as fractures or the dislocation of vertebrae. Such injuries might be caused by car accidents, falls, or contact sports.

Spinal Problems

Spinal problems, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spinal arthritis, can also cause back pain. These conditions can put pressure on the nerves in the spine, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the back and legs.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Medical conditions, such as osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, cancer, and kidney stones, can also cause back pain. These conditions require medical attention to manage the pain effectively.

How to diagnose the cause of back pain

Before you can treat, you must understand. In order for the best possible treatment to be determined, it is essential to diagnose the cause of your back pain.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. They may order imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to more precisely determine the cause and location of your pain. Additionally, They may ask you questions about your medical history and lifestyle to understand if any underlying factors may be contributing to your back pain.

Lifestyle changes to prevent back pain

Making lifestyle changes can also help prevent back pain from occurring in the first place.

Good posture

Maintaining proper posture and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing can reduce the strain on your back muscles.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, can also help strengthen your back muscles and improve flexibility, allowing your body to better cope with the stressors of daily activity.

Weight management

Excess weight puts additional strain on your back muscles and spine. Maintaining a healthy weight is important to minimizing that strain and reducing the risk of back pain.

Quit smoking

If you currently smoke and have back pain, consider quitting. Smoking can reduce blood flow to the spine and increase the risk of disc degeneration, leading to pain.

Exercises to relieve back pain

Exercise is an effective solution for managing back pain. We know, it sounds counterproductive to exercise when in pain. But in reality, exercise can help strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, which can actually go a long way in preventing pain.

It’s all about moderation and starting small. Don’t even bother picking up weights, at least not at first. Instead, start with the following low impact stretches to get things moving:

Cat-cow stretch

This exercise involves getting on your hands and knees and alternately arching and rounding your back.

Child’s pose

This exercise involves kneeling on the floor while also resting your forehead on the floor. Your arms may either be extended forward, out in front of your head with palms down, or they may lay at your side.

Bridge

This exercise involves lying on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. You then lift your hips off the floor, keeping your feet and shoulders on the ground.

Cobra stretch

This exercise involves lying on your stomach and lifting your upper body off the floor while keeping your hands on the ground.

While these are all basic, easy stretches that you can perform at home without any equipment, it’s still advisable to speak to your healthcare provider before beginning any kind of exercise regimen. The last thing you want when trying to manage your pain is to unintentionally make it worse. Make a point to ask before you start.

When to seek medical attention for back pain

While most cases of back pain can be managed with rest, medication, and smart lifestyle choices, some circumstances will require medical attention. You should seek help from a medical professional if your pain is:

1. Severe and does not improve with rest and medication
2. Accompanied by fever, weakness, or numbness in the legs
3. The result of an injury, such as a fall or car accident
4. The result of an underlying medical condition, such as osteoporosis or cancer

A medical professional can perform an exam and properly diagnose your pain and determine an appropriate course of treatment.

Your primary care provider will generally refer you to a specialist. Though many medical professionals could help treat back pain, you will most likely be referred to a physical therapist, orthopedist, neurologist, or pain management provider, depending on the circumstances. Each of these experts can prescribe a treatment plan best suited to address your specific pain situation.

Experience a life with less back pain

Let’s just go ahead and face it, most of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. Your back may be hurting right now as you read this. But that’s ok, because it’s important to know as much as you can about back pain so you can prepare yourself to properly manage it.

While back pain can be challenging to deal with, you do not need to settle and let it beat you. By making healthy lifestyle choices, performing appropriate exercises, and seeking treatment if necessary, you can manage your back pain and still enjoy life to the fullest.

The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.

References

1. Casiano VE, Sarwan G, Dydyk AM, et al. Back Pain. [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538173/