What Can Cause Back Pain
Back Pain is a common problem that can affect any of us
, it is estimated that at least nine out of ten people will at some point in their life experience some sort of back pain whether it be acute or chronic in nature. Back pain also strikes regardless of age or sex but is most commonly seen in those who are between the ages of 35 and 55 years old.
Luckily for most people their back pain is acute, that means lasting no longer then 3 months time, and resolves itself within a few weeks time.
Spinal Anatomy
Vertebrae
The spine consists of 33 boney vertebrae, 24 of these are movable while 9 are fused together. They are numbered and divided into regions: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal. The fused vertebrae are your 5 sacral and 4 coccygeal. Their main purpose is to support the weight of the body and form a protective canal for the spinal cord.
Inter-vertebral discs
Shock absorbing discs (inter-vertebral discs) that help to cushion the vertebrae and allow the spine to bend in a normal fashion. These discs have a tough outer layer of fibrous bands called the annulus fibrous and a softer gel like center called the nucleus pulposus.
Muscles
Muscles that help to stabilize the spine, if your muscles are weak they can pull your whole body out of alignment and cause back pain. These muscles enable us to do to do many things we take for granted such as bend forward or lift objects.
Ligaments
Ligaments that hold our vertebrae together while helping to stabilize the spine and protect our discs, as well as tendons that connect our muscle to our vertebrae.
Spinal cord
The spinal cord carries nerve signals to the brain; it runs from the first lumbar vertebrae up to the brain stem. The spinal cord serves as an information highway sending messages lighting fast to the brain so the brain can send out the proper information to the rest of the body.
Nerves
Spinal nerves that act like a telephone line helping to carry messages back and forth from the body and the spinal cord.
Common causes of back pain
Most back pain is caused by strains and sprains, these oftentimes heal themselves over a few weeks time. They can be caused by lifting objects that are to heavy or awkward, by improper posture, or an accident or sports related injury to just name a few.
Other causes of back pain may be:
Bulging or herniated discs this occurs when the inter-vertebral discs push out into the spinal canal and compress nerves or your spinal cord.
Spinal Stenosis this is a narrowing of the spaces in your spine, it may be due to arthritis, bone spurs or some other condition that would limit the amount of space in the spinal column.
Spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis - this is a condition where your spine is abnormally curved.
Spondylosis this happens when your inter-vertebral disc start to lose fluid and is no longer able to support the spine properly.
Risk Factors for back pain
Things that may increase your risk for developing back pain are:
Obesity
Age
Your job
Your sex
Smoking
Sedentary lifestyles
by: Kim Levesque
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