6 Common causes of back pain

6 Common causes of back pain and how to treat it

If you are suffering from back pain, you probably know how invalidating this type of pain can actually be. Often, we do not pay sufficient attention to the factors that contribute to its appearance, becoming aware of them only when it is too late. In the paragraphs that follow, we have gathered the most common causes of back pain, along with a couple of treatment suggestions to help you out. Enjoy your read and do not hesitate to share your newfound advice with friends and family members.

Common causes of back pain:

#1 Poor posture

The more time you spend slouched in your chair, the more aggravated your back pain is going to become. Moreover, we live in the era of technology, which means that we assume all sorts of poor postures to use smartphones and other similar devices. The good news is that it is never too late to correct your posture, restoring the proper alignment of the spine.

#2 Sedentary lifestyle

The human body is a carefully engineered machine but one that has been designed for intense physical activity. In modern times, humans have become more and more sedentary, their muscles and joints becoming weaker. The sedentary lifestyle is one of the most common causes that leads to the appearance of back pain, reducing your overall range of motion and increasing the risk for vertebral disc hernias. If you do not up your activity levels, you will require back pain treatment for a prolonged period of time.

#3 Insufficient hydration

What is the connection between back pain and not drinking sufficient amounts of water? Well, the intervertebral discs need water, to remain lubricated and maintain the mobility of the spine. By not drinking the recommended amounts of water per day, you are actually hurting your spine, increasing the risk of a disc hernia once more. This problem can be easily remedied, by drinking at least eight glasses of water each and every day.

#4 Repetitive motions

Many people damage their back in their line of work, especially if they have to engage in repetitive motions on a daily basis. The forward bending, as well as the rotations that can occur at the level of the spin, can be quite damaging, especially if they are sudden. Unfortunately, most of the times, we are not even aware of the movements we are engaged in and how damaging they actually are.

#5 Inadequate sleeping positions

If you are used to sleeping on your stomach, it should come as no surprise that you are suffering from back pain. You cannot even to begin the pressure at which your vertebral joints are subjected, especially if you maintain this position for a prolonged period. Instead, you might want to try sleeping on your back, to maintain your spine elongated and reduce the risk of back pain.

#6 High Heels

How many times did you hear about high heels being a common cause of back pain? Well, they actually are. The more time you spent on high heels, the more pressure you will experience in the lumbar area. Moreover, inadequate footwear can lead in time to spinal misalignments, increasing the risk for chronic problems.

The best treatments for back pain:

• Upon suffering from back pain, the first thing that you want to do is obtain relief from the symptoms experienced. For this purpose, you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as naproxen, ibuprofen or acetaminophen (oral or topical application). You can also schedule yourself for a relaxation massage, to eliminate the tension accumulated in the muscles because of the pain. Acupuncture can help you deal with back pain in an efficient manner, treating not only the symptoms but also the cause.

• Physical therapy remains the best solution for both acute and chronic back pain. During the first sessions, the physical therapist will work to reduce the inflammation present at the level of the spine and increase your overall range of motion. As the pain subsides, the physical therapy sessions are going to concentrate on increasing the strength of the spinal muscles, so that these problems are prevented in the future.

• Water gymnastics can be considered for back pain as well, especially at the beginning of the treatment. The water eliminates the gravitation, which makes the performing of certain movements a lot easier.

These are the most common causes of back pain, but you have to understand that there are many more factors that contribute to such problems. Smoking, excessive physical exercise, and emotional stress can lead to back pain, so make sure to work on these risk factors as well. Make sure to follow a healthy diet, one that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, to ensure the health of the spine as well.

Reference:
1. http://www.balancebydeborahhutton.com.au/10-tips-for-dealing-with-back-pain/
2.http://www.beliefnet.com/Wellness/Health/Physical-Health/10-Exercises-that-Help-to-Reduce-Back-Pain.aspx
3. http://dealpain.net/2016/03/01/how-to-deal-when-you-have-low-back-pain/
4. https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/joint-pain/back-pain.html