What Causes Back Pain?
There are numerous ways that a person can develop back pain including auto accidents, slips and falls, and even working in front of a computer. A large percentage of people with back pain are tjose who work long hours in an office setting. Two-thirds of the body weight is compressed on the low back when sitting down. At the end of the day, the compression forces and the strain on the lumbar muscles cause them to be weak and can predispose a person to injury.
The back is a complicated system of large and small muscles, joints, bones, ligaments, and nerves. Pain can result from single or mutliple areas. The most common cause of back pain is trauna. The most common form of trauma may occur when lifting heavy objects or lifting an object while rotating youor upper body as your feet stay stationary. This type of injury is usually associated with a Herniated Disc or Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP). Common symptoms of HNP are sharp shooting pain throughout the entire leg, and/or tingling of the leg. However, many varying degrees of herniation may occur resulting in a variety of symptoms. In fact, many individuals have some type of herniation or disc bulge and are not aware of it. A spraim or strain of the back muscles is common when participating in sporting activites or when a person is involved in an auto accident. In most of these cases, micro-trauma has occured and a burning sensation is the most common symptom. This is easily taken care of with rest, ice and the proper rehabilitation.
In addition to trauma, back pain can result from obesity, arthritis, poor posture and stress. Finally kidney stones, kidney infection, bone loss and certain types of tumors can cause back pain. Back pain can often be an indication of a serious problem and therefore should never be ignored or taken lightly.
