Back pain may result from some activities, injuries, and serious medical conditions. People of any age can experience back pain due to different reasons. As people get older, the chances of developing back pain may increase. The common factors that increase the risk of developing back pain are degenerative disc diseases and previous occupation.
The upper back pain may occur due to aorta disorder, spine inflammation, and tumours in the chest. However, pain in the lower back may be associated with the following
- Bony lumbar spine
- Discs between the vertebrae
- Ligaments around the discs and spine
- Spinal cord and nerves
- Abdominal and pelvic internal organs
- The skin around the lumbar area
- Lower back muscles
The Common Causes Of Back Pain
The human back shows a complex structure composed of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and discs that help support the body and allow us to move around. The spine is a segmented structure that is cushioned with disc – cartilage-like pads. Any problem in these components can cause back pain. In some cases of back pain, the causes remain unclear. However, the following are the most common causes leading to back pain:
Back Strain
Back strain, tension, or injury trigger the back pain, and the frequent causes of back pain may include;
- Strained ligaments or muscles
- Muscle tension
- Muscles spasms
- Damaged discs
- Injuries, direct falls, or fractures
The following are the common activities leading to strain or spasms:
- Improper object or weight lifting techniques
- Lifting too heavy objects
- Making awkward or abrupt movements
Structural Problems
Besides strain, tension, and injuries, there are a number of structural problems causing back pain:
- Herniated discs: The spinal canal has limited space, which is insufficient for the spinal nerve and the fragments of displaced herniated discs. When this displacement occurs, the disc presses the spinal nerve, producing back pain, which may be severe under certain conditions.
- Sciatica: Sciatica causes a sharp and shooting pain that travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg. The pain occurs when the herniated or bulging discs press the sciatic nerve.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis causes problems with the lower back joints. However, under certain circumstances, the space around the spinal cord gets narrowed – the condition is known as spinal stenosis.
- Spinal abnormal curvature: When the spine curves in an unusual way, it may result in back pain. Scoliosis is an example in which the spinal curves to one side.
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis can weaken and compress the bones in the vertebrae, leading to severe pain in the back.
- Kidney problems: Kidney stones and kidney infections can also cause back pain in some conditions.
Movements and Posture
Your daily life routine and posture while playing and performing other duties may also contribute to the back pain. Below are the movements and postures that may result in back pain:
- Coughing or sneezing
- Muscle tension
- Over-stretching
- Bending for a long period
- Bending awkwardly
- Pulling, pushing, lifting, or carrying something
- Sitting or standing for a long period
- Stringing the neck forward when driving or using computers
- Long driving session without a break
- Sleeping on a mattress or places which keep your spine straight
Other Causes
The studies have shown some other causes contributing to back pain, and these are listed below:
- Cancer of the spine
- Infection to the spine
- Sleep disorder
- Shingles
- Cauda equina syndrome
Common Symptoms of back pain
The symptoms of back pain may vary according to the causes or injuries contributing to the back pain. However, the following are the common symptoms of back pain or injury:
- Persistent back pain
- Fever
- Inflammation or swelling around your back or spine
- Pain may reach below the knees
- Difficulty urinating
- Numbness around the genitals
- Numbness around the buttocks
- Numbness around the anus
How back braces help with the back pain
Experts suggest several preventive measures to help reduce back or spine pain chances. Out of these preventive measures, wearing back braces or back supports is the most effective way to keep your back safe or injury-free. Back braces help reduce the chances of injuries in several ways, including;
Immobilization
Back braces help immobilize your back to control or restrict unnecessary movements, helping prevent overuse injuries. Back braces help prevent major movements in the back area, including rotation, flexion, and extension. In certain conditions, immobilization is crucial for your back to promote healing.
Improves your posture
Maintaining a good posture helps keep you away from many problems, including back pain. You need to keep your back upright, your shoulders in the back, and your chest up. We cannot maintain such a position to keep our posture good. Bad posture may result in spinal weakness and deformities. Wearing a back brace helps keep your spine in a straightened position. Whenever you feel back pain due to bad posture, consult your healthcare professional and wear posture correctors or back braces under your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Prevents back pain
Sometimes, back pain may come from our life routines, exercising, and occupations. The common cause of back pain is the extra pressure these routines put on your back. Back pain may range from mild to severe. A back brace helps keep the extra burden or stress off your spine, preventing back pain and other problems.
Helps strengthen your core and back
A back brace or support also helps strengthen your core by forcing a straight spine and tucked tummy. As well as this, back braces also help strengthen your spine and back by forcing the muscles into alignment.
Speed up the recovery process
Back braces provide your back muscles and joints with enough compressions, helping speed up the recovery process following a back injury or surgery. It is advisable to ask your healthcare professional the required duration to wear the back supports to get maximum benefits.
Buy the best back braces
Indeed, wearing back braces help prevent back pain or back injuries. As well as this, these back-support braces also provide your back with maximum compression and support, helping speed up the recovery process. Before buying and wearing back braces, you need to know the right size and the type of back braces to get maximum benefits. At 360 Relief, you can find a variety of back-support braces to help manage your back problems.
