If you have ever had a back injury that has caused you to suffer and limit your movement, you are not alone. Back pain is one of the most common injuries and reasons for taking sick days of work. However, the pain can be unbearable and can reduce the quality of live. In this article, we will cover some lower back pain causes as well as some points to help prevent these injuries.
Lower back pain causes:
1. Strain Back Muscles
Back muscle strains are very common as well as ligament strains. The injury can limit your movement and in most cases the injury is due to some over exertion. Back muscle strains can be related to your job, if you have a physical job that requires lifting and moving heavy objects. People with physical jobs should be more aware of these injuries as well as how to prevent them. One of the most important aspect that everyone should know if how to lift properly and always remember to be careful and never twist if lifting a heavy object.
2. Nerve root compression
All nerves that run within our spinal cord have nerve roots and ending, many of which are in the lower back area. These nerve roots can become compressed and will result in a lot of pain. Several know back problems such as spinal stenosis, osteoporosis or the relatively common herniated disc can compress the nerve roots. Sciatica is a condition that comes from the nerve root being pinched and can not only affect your lower back but also your leg too.
3. Conditions that cause Spinal Deformities
The spine has natural curves that help with the rotation and natural movement. Sometimes the spine can be affected by some conditions that can cause the spine to curve more acutely. Sufferers of scoliosis or kyphosis are 2 such conditions. Another condition, spondylolisthesis can deform the spine and is a lower back pain causes. These conditions cannot be preventing, in fact studies have yet to identify how scoliosis and kyphosis are caused.
4. Degenerative disc disease
Unfortunately, degenerative disc disease has the reputation of being a disease for older people. The reality is that degenerative disc disease can affect people of all ages, with people in their 20s also suffering. The disease causes the vertebral discs to deform and bulge. The effect is that this can increase considerable pressure on any surrounding nerves. It is the pressure that can cause high levels of pain.
5. Compression fractures.
The result of many motor accidents is compression fractures however, people will osteoporosis or forms of cancer that spread to the bone are also known sufferers of compression fractures. None of these conditions can be prevented and the treatment necessary will be determined by extend of the fracture as well as the long term repercussions to the spine.
6. Slipped disc
A slipped disc can happen to any vertebrae in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar areas, however the injury is more common in the lower area. The discs act as shock absorbers, supporting the rigors and impact of every bodies movements. The slipped disc itself may not be very painful but it is the subsequent pressure on any surrounding nerves that will cause the patient considerable pain.