No matter what you do, you will never feel comfortable. Sitting hurts, standing hurts, lying down hurts. You wake up in pain and you go to bed in pain. You find yourself taking days off when the pain is at its worst, taking regular painkillers, and you’ve put your usual exercise routine to the side. If you live with chronic back pain, you can relate to these shared experiences. One of the most frustrating things about living with chronic pain is not knowing where the pain is coming from or how to make it go away. Below, we list five of the most common causes of the unhealthy condition that affects 10 percent of the world’s population.
What causes minor pain
Although each patient’s case is unique, the most common causes of low back pain include:
Spinal cord or ligament. Fast movements, repetitive lifting, awkward posture, or trying to lift more than you can can cause problems that cause extreme discomfort. If your job or hobby often requires you to lift and bend, such repetitive stress on your back can trigger painful muscle spasms. A cracked or ruptured disc. Between each of the bones that make up your spine (vertebrae) is a hard disc. If the disc material begins to rupture or rupture, it can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing excruciating pain.
Scoliosis. This spine affects two to three percent of the population, or about six to nine million. For those affected, common symptoms often include back pain or discomfort. Osteoarthritis. This condition, in which the protective cartilage that protects the ends of your bones weakens over time, can affect your back. Sometimes arthritis can lead to a condition called spinal stenosis, an abnormality of the spinal cord that causes painful pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that reduces the density and quality of bones. As bones grow, they become stronger. As a result, the spine can develop painful compression fractures.
When to get help
If your back pain is interfering with your daily life, affecting your ability to care for your children, go to work, or if you find yourself constantly taking pain medication, it’s time to see a doctor you. They will be able to diagnose the cause of your back pain and help you implement a plan to help ease your discomfort and get you back to work.