Back pain is something most of us will experience at least once in our lives. It is one of the most common reasons people miss work or seek a healthcare provider.
Whether it’s a sharp, sudden twinge or a constant dull ache, back pain can range from mildly inconvenient to completely debilitating.
By understanding the root causes of back pain, you can better manage and prevent your condition. In this blog article, we outline the different types of back pain, and we detail five common causes.
The complexity of the spinal region, with its muscles, nerves, ligaments, and bones, makes it susceptible to many types of strain and injury (What Is Back Pain?).
The back is made up of various interconnected structures. The spine, or vertebral column, is composed of 33 vertebrae stacked upon one another, separated by intervertebral discs that act as cushions.
Muscles, tendons, and ligaments support the spine and facilitate a wide range of movement (Video Tutorial On Spinal Anatomy). Spinal nerves branch out from the spinal cord, sending signals to different parts of the body.
Back pain occurs when something disrupts this intricate system, typically a dysfunction in the way the spinal joints, muscles, intervertebral discs, and nerves fit together or move (Common Causes Of Back Pain).
The most common source of chronic back pain is an intervertebral disc problem in the lumbar region.
Possible problems include:
Depending on its cause, back pain can manifest itself as a sharp, shooting pain, or a dull, constant ache. It is usually classified into different types depending on its location (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or pelvic) and duration (acute or chronic).
There are many potential causes of back pain. The five most common causes of back pain encountered at Ocean City are listed below.
Repetitive lifting, bending, and twisting can cause strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints in the back. This is especially common in occupations that require physical labour, such as construction work or warehouse jobs.
Over time, manual labour can cause chronic structural problems like disc herniation, joint degeneration, or muscle imbalances.
Time spent sitting for long hours, especially with poor posture, can contribute to back pain. Desk workers often experience tightness in their lower back and hip flexors due to prolonged sitting, leading to imbalances that affect the spine.
Poor ergonomics, such as a poorly designed desk or chair, can exacerbate these problems.
Everyday activities that involve bending over, like doing the washing, gardening, or general cleaning, put stress on the spine. The sharp bending and twisting motions that can accompany these activities are known to cause back problems.
We recommend keeping your back straight, pivoting from your hips and knees, and also to avoid flexing at the back. If repeated often enough, these poor movement habits cause muscle imbalances and strain, contributing to mechanical back problems, and eventually leading to back pain.
Certain foods can contribute to inflammation in the body, which can affect the joints and muscles, including those in the back. Poor nutrition and a diet high in processed foods can lead to systemic inflammation, potentially exacerbating conditions like arthritis, which often results in back pain.
Emotional and mental stress can manifest itself physically. Stress often leads to muscle tension and tightness in the shoulders, neck, and lower back. Over time, this tension can cause back problems and chronic pain.
Pain relief medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or corticosteroids, can help manage back pain. However, these treatments only provide temporary relief and do not address the underlying cause.
In severe cases, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis, surgery might be necessary. Procedures can include spinal fusion or disc replacement, but these are generally seen as last-resort options when other treatments fail to provide relief.
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to managing back pain. Techniques such as spinal manipulation can help restore proper alignment, reduce pressure on nerves, and relieve tension in muscles.
Chiropractic care addresses the root causes of pain, providing long-term relief and improving overall spinal health.
At Ocean City, we consider the spine to be the master controller system of your body. That is, any problems present in the spinal column will likely cause issues throughout the nervous system, impacting many functions of your body and creating imbalance (Can A Chiropractor Help With Lower Back Pain?).
In an initial consultation, we will investigate your health history and perform physical examinations, including tests of reflexes, muscle function, posture, and range of motion. Occasionally, an X-ray or other diagnostic technique may be required to determine the precise cause of dysfunction.
Once we have conducted these analyses, we will arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss our findings and develop a personalised health care plan. The basic cost of this consultation is £55.
In your first appointment, we will discuss our findings, and then outline your health care options and our care recommendations. If appropriate, we can also begin your personalised chiropractic care program. The cost of this appointment is £55.
Typically, our main focus will be on correcting imbalances and dysfunctions of the spine through gentle, specific chiropractic adjustments.
These adjustments help restore function and mobility to the spine, helping to restore balance to the body. Additionally, these adjustments restore the nervous system to its optimum function, allowing your body to heal.
The cost of ongoing appointments is £55. We offer discounted packages to help you save on your chiropractic care. We also offer monthly membership deals for patients who have completed their initial phase of care (Chiropractic Care Prices).
Back pain can stem from many factors, including mechanical issues, poor posture, stress, and even diet. Understanding the common causes of back pain helps identify ways to prevent and treat it.
Chiropractic care, ergonomic adjustments, and maintaining an active lifestyle with appropriate exercises can all play a significant role in keeping your back healthy and pain-free.
Whether your back pain is acute or chronic, addressing it early and taking proactive steps to care for your spine will contribute to your long-term wellness.
