Is There An Underlying Cause Of Your Back Pain?

At some point in most people’s lives, they will suffer at least the odd twinge or episode of back pain. It is extremely common and very costly to the health industry.

There are many causes of back pain, from bad posture to sports injuries. Lifting heavy objects improperly, slipping, or a sudden movement can cause back problems. And for some, this leads to pain lasting weeks that becomes a chronic condition.

However, sometimes, there could be a less obvious cause for back pain. This may be even truer when the pain is persistent and ongoing rather than short-term.

What underlying causes could be responsible for back pain?

Every person will experience some kind of physical pain during their lifetime. Most of the time these are short, uncomfortable moments that have no relation to serious concerns. Headaches, aches, and twinges happen to everyone at some point. But, sometimes pain is an indicator of something more serious than a stomach ache from spicy food.

Any back pain that is causing difficulties with everyday life, or persists, needs to be investigated. Chiropractors such as Ideal Health report that such back pain can be caused by being overweight for instance. Other underlying problems could come from previous accidents. A sports injury or work accident can later in life cause arthritis, which can result in back pain.

This short article explains some of the potential underlying causes of back pain. Although most backaches can be attributed to strains and sprains, there are some other reasons that people suffer from this kind of pain.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Anyone suffering from any lasting pain should consult their health professional, but they may receive a diagnosis from their chiropractor too. Millions of visits to chiropractors occur each year, and on occasion, these doctors will discover an undiagnosed condition.

Some types of arthritis cause excruciating pain in individuals, and this impacts life greatly. One kind of arthritis is ankylosing spondylitis. This causes the ligaments and joints of the spine to become inflamed.

A chiropractor will listen to their patient and this helps to discover the cause of back pain. Through conversation and tests, it is sometimes possible to locate the source of the pain and make a diagnosis.

Disk problems

As you get older, wear and tear on disks adds up and can lead them to break down. This is one of the most likely causes of back pain. Herniated or slipped disks are very common, and about 2% of the population will experience one each year.

Kidney infection

Because of the location of your kidneys, any issue with them can be confused with general back pain. They are positioned on either side of your spine around your elbow level when your arms are straightened downward.

For successful treatment, it is important to discern the cause of back pain. A kidney infection can cause pain in different regions including the back, but it’s a condition that needs treatment by your doctor, not a chiropractor.

Kidney stones

Another condition that can cause pain in the back region, but isn’t caused by strains or joint problems, is kidney stones. It is a common condition that affects over 10% of males and 6% of females in the US every year.

There are different treatments for kidney stones, but chiropractors may not be able to help here. In fact, many chiropractors prefer not to treat individuals if they believe they have kidney stones. There are some claims that chiropractic care could help with this ailment, but there is not enough research in place yet for conclusive proof.

Endometriosis

Around 10% of females of reproductive age will be troubled by endometriosis. There is unfortunately no cure for this condition, but there are medications and treatments to help relieve pain and reduce symptoms.

Lower back pain can be an early indicator of this condition and is often accompanied by pelvic pain. This needs to be diagnosed by a doctor who will suggest the best course of treatment. Chiropractors are one of the effective solutions for managing pain from endometriosis and can provide some relief.

Fibromyalgia

This condition is unusual as the cause is still not determined, but about 4 million Americans live with it. It has a range of symptoms including fatigue, stiffness throughout the body, and back pain. As nearly half of people with fibromyalgia will experience lower back pain, it can be mistaken for something else initially.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia can get back pain relief from massage therapy. This is one of the best ways to relieve pain and improve mental wellness in individuals with fibromyalgia.

Summary

Back pain normally only lasts for a few hours to a week. There are several common causes of back pain including persistently slouching or sitting hunched over. Standing for long periods, perhaps at work, can cause back pain too.

But, sometimes, there may be an underlying cause. If you are being affected by back pain then a visit to a health professional is advisable, if only to put your mind to rest.