If you're struggling with back pain, you are not alone. According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, back pain affects the lives of more than 50 million Americans. Of those, an estimated 20 million have what is described as "high-impact chronic pain," which is severe pain that significantly disrupts their day-to-day life.
If you're struggling with back pain,you are not alone. According to a study published by the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, back pain affects the lives of more than 50 millionAmericans. Of those, an estimated 20 million have what is described as"high-impact chronic pain," which is severe pain that significantlydisrupts their day-to-day life. Aside from heavy lifting or contorting one'sback in an unusual manner, back pain is often a byproduct of an underlyinghealth problem, such as arthritis, for example. Some studies have also linkedback pain to tardive dyskinesia. For those who are unfamiliar with tardivedyskinesia, it is an involuntary neurological movement disorder that oftengives way to lower back pain and sciatica. Tardive dyskinesia is often broughton by long-term use of psychiatric medications.
In many cases, resting and avoidingstrenuous activity is more than enough to relieve back pain as long as itwasn't brought on by an underlying health problem. Following these steps willusually resolve painful back symptoms within a matter of weeks. And for manypeople, this means finally getting some much-needed relief from the following:
If resting and avoiding strenuousactivity does not provide pain relief or if your pain symptoms become worse, itwould be a good idea to be seen by a physician, especially if you'reexperiencing back pain along with any of the following:
Typically, these symptoms point toserious health problems, such as cancer, arthritis, or tardive dyskinesia, allof which will require immediate medical care. With that, let's take a closerlook at the top 5 causes of back pain:
Muscle strain – Back pain that is caused by muscle strain is especiallycommon among those who play sports or have an occupation that requires heavylifting. These activities may also lead to strained ligaments in the back. Ifleft untreated, muscle strain and strained ligaments can both lead to poorposture, pain, and mobility problems.
Skeletal irregularities – Similar to muscle and ligament strain, skeletalirregularities can also contribute to back pain. For example, it is notuncommon for those with scoliosis, a condition whereby an individual's spine isabnormally curved, to experience some form of back pain. To that point, a studypublished by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons revealed thatbetween 2 and 3 percent of the U.S. population is struggling with scoliosis,which is made worse by nagging and persistent pain that radiates in their back.
Arthritis – When it comes to arthritis and back pain, spinalarthritis is usually the culprit. According to a study published by JohnsHopkins Medicine, spinal arthritis occurs when the facet joints either in thespine or sacroiliac joints between the spine and the pelvis become inflamed.This type of inflammation occurs when the cartilage that would otherwisecushion the facet joints start to deteriorate. Thus, the condition is quitecommon in older adults as cartilage deterioration is yet another part ofgetting older.
Bulging or ruptured discs – Along with causing pain in the arms, legs, and neck, bulgingand ruptured discs can both trigger severe back pain. Studies show that both ofthese conditions are often the result of the nerves in the spine becomingcompressed. And this compression of the spine can stem from numerous medicalconditions, including scoliosis, spinal arthritis, and serious injuries.
Osteoporosis – Along with contributing to weak, brittle bones,osteoporosis is also known to cause back pain. In short, when an individualdevelops osteoporosis, the vertebrae in their spinal column starts to form whatis known as compression fractures, which, in turn, leads to them feeling painin their back.
Taking over-the-counter painrelievers and avoiding unnecessary strenuous activity can go a long way towardeasing any pain you might be feeling in your back. However, in some cases, youwill need to be seen by a physician who can diagnose the cause of your pain andprescribe the best course of treatment, some of which may include the use ofmuscle relaxants, prescription pain relievers, or resolving an underlying healthproblem that might be contributing to the pain in your back. In severe cases,however, back surgery might be necessary.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.