If you suffer from back pain, the first step in finding a solution is finding the cause. Understanding the different causes may help you as you seek a doctor to treat your condition.

Back pain affects four out of every five adults, particularly pains in the lower vertebrae. Finding a solution to this common issue often begins with understanding its causes. If you can pinpoint the causes, you will be much closer to finding a solution.

One of the reasons that this type of injury or disorder is so common is because of the way the back is made up. It consists of 33 vertebrae and more than 30 muscles, as well as nerves ligaments, and discs. An injury or damage to just one of these numerous parts will lead to pains. Because all of the nerves in the body originate in the spinal column, even a small injury can cause significant pains, and sometimes the pains radiate throughout the body, even though the injury is confined to the spine. This is why finding a solution to spinal injuries is so important.

Muscle strain is the most common cause of back pain. When you do something that pulls or twists the muscles near your spine too forcefully, the muscle will experience several small tears. These tears hurt, causing your condition. Sprains of the ligaments can also be a common source of this ailment. If you stretch the ligaments near your spine beyond their natural means, they will hurt. Often, these two common injuries happen together. Individuals who suffer from sudden pains after an injury or fall often have one or both of these conditions.

Some people with chronic back pain are dealing with problems with the discs. Herniated discs are one of these. These happen when the spinal nerves are compressed by the vertebrae because the disc that normally separates them is not doing its job, either because it has moved or been damaged. Repetitive motion or sudden heavy load on the muscles near the spine can cause this. These pains typically radiate from the spine and down or up the nerves. Sciatica, where the pains shoot down the leg, is an example of this type of issue.

Individuals suffering from back pain who are age 50 or older may be dealing with spinal stenosis. In this condition, age causes the spinal canal to narrow. Bone spurs, thickened ligaments, or enlarged joint cartilage due to arthritis can all cause the canal to narrow. People with spinal stenosis will find that they hurt more after they have been walking or carrying something for an extended period of time.

Women who are older and suffering may be dealing with osteoporosis, which is a loss of bone density. When bone tissues thin, they are more susceptible to fractures. This can occur in the spine as well as any other bone in the body. This is why women with this condition who have painful backs need to check to be sure they are not dealing with a spinal fracture.

Finally arthritis is a common cause of chronic back pain. With this condition, which often affects those over the age of 50, joints begin degenerating. When the cartilage in the discs between the vertebrae is affected, the bones can rub together. This causes them to hurt, and can also cause inflammation, stiffness, and swelling. Over time it gets worse as bone spurs develop and ligaments become thick. All of these conditions cause similar aches and pains, so finding the source is the first step in a successful treatment.