In society today, most Americans experience some sort of back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain does not discriminate, as both men and women can experience pain in their back at any certain time. People usually experience back pain later in life, but the concern of pain in the back is still a crucial one. Between the ages of 30 and 50 is when back pain occurs most frequently, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Back pain can happen due to various reasons. One example of such pain can happen from doing too much or too little exercise.
Back pain -- especially low back pain -- does not come without concern. Spinal degeneration and other disc problems increase as one gets older. Young people though are also susceptible to low back pain, especially in pre-teen stages. More than 13,260 injuries were treated in 2000 relating to back pain in teens. Teens who carried their backpacks were the ones that suffered such injuries in their backs, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
So what really is the root of back pain? As we become older, the strength and elasticity in those areas become lessened. The decrease in those areas, including muscle, tone can lead to more problems. The discs in the back no longer have the flexibility or fluid they once had. As a result, the discs can no longer provide a strong "cushion" to the vertebrae.
Developing low back pain is not an enjoyable feeling, as anyone who has gone through it can vouch for. Unfortunately, people can randomly experience low back pain at any moment of their lives. Back pain can happen as someone simply straining or spraining their muscles. This can often result from heavy lifting. A muscle spasm can also make a person experience low back pain. According to NINDS, when one's spine gets strained to its limit "a disc may rupture or bulge outward;" this causes around 50 nerves in the spinal cord to be affected. Since the body and brain work together, the nerve roots will have an impact and as a result give the individual back pain.
Specifically, low back pain is mostly associated with bone lesions or muscle or nerve irritation. Back pain in general definitely has an influence on this, but with low back come others areas that may prove to be more sensitive. This could happen from a trauma incident or having a disease such as arthritis. Everyday life situations can lead to low back pain. Things like a person's physical condition can prove to create this kind of pain. Obesity, stress, and bad spinal postures can all influence the degree of the pain. Another main reason low back pain can occur is from scar tissue buildup. When someone gets injured, the scar tissue that was formed may not properly return to a strong normal tissue state. The scar tissue can keep building up and that makes the back weak. The back then has a disadvantage and can experience something more serious and more painful in the future.
On the positive side, there is hope for people who come across pain in the back. When someone experiences back pain, they should consult a doctor about their conditions. Different areas of the back require different treatments. Once the pain and areas of concern are pinpointed, a chiropractor can help you take the necessary steps for treatment. Non-surgical spinal decompression treatments may be necessary to address low back associated with disc bulges or herniated discs. Treatments to alleviate the pain include over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, self-heating pain patches and acupuncture.
