What causes your back to hurt is a question I get asked a lot in the office? Do you know a person’s back hurts? Well here are some insights you may not have thought about and should know in case you or someone you know… has back pain.
Millions of Malaysians unfortunately have ongoing back pain.
And even though it’s hard to believe, it’s the leading cause of disability in people younger than 45, and many things can cause it.
Here’s the deal. Back pain often happens because something is off in the way of either your spinal joints, muscles, discs, and even how your nerves fit together and move in relationship to everything around them.
If you or someone you know has a back problem, we can check to see if you or they have:
Herniated or slipped discs: If your medical doctor mentions this, the soft tissue in the discs between your joints has leaked out. It’s usually caused by wear and tear. Herniated discs can cause pain in your lower back or hip because the nerves there are pressed, but then again, you can have a herniated disc and have no pain. That’s why it’s a good thing to get checked regularly.
Bulging discs: These types of discs protrude, or “bulge,” but not as much as with the herniated disc. You don’t usually have symptoms with a bulging disc. You’ll feel it if it pushes on a nerve root, but that’s the only reason you might know you have a bulging disc(s).
Degenerative disc disease: The discs, or “shock absorbers” between your spine’s vertebrae (bones), can shrink or tear. That causes your bones to rub together to compress the nerves somewhat. This can happen a lot more often as you get older.
Inflammation and wear of the sacroiliac joint: This S/I joint… lies where your spine and pelvis come together. You have one on each side of your lower body, just above your buttocks. These two joints don’t move much, but it’s important because they move the load of the upper body to the lower body. Swelling and wearing away of the S/I joint cartilage can happen after an injury, because of arthritis, infection, or even after pregnancy. Your weight also causes abnormal wear and tear on these joints.
Spinal stenosis: If you have this, your spinal canal has narrowed. That makes things TIGHT in the canal. That adds pressure on your spine and nerves. As a result, your legs and shoulders probably could feel numb. This happens to many people older than 60, but it can also happen when you’re younger.
Cervical radiculopathy: This is what most people would call a pinched nerve. It’s usually caused by a bone spur or a herniated disc.
Spondylolisthesis: This is where a bone in the spine slips forward and out of place, typically in the lower back. Now when I say slips forward, I’m not talking about a lot of area. It’s a small movement, but when things are so compact in your body, just a little one way or another makes a huge difference in the way you feel. The degenerative form of this condition is arthritis, which weakens your joints and ligaments keeping the spine aligned. It can cause a disc to move forward over a vertebra.
Accidents and Injuries
Car accidents, falls, muscle sprains, strains, and fractures are also causes of back pain. Injuries of this type can lead to some of the physical problems you can experience, but some can cause pain-all on their own.
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Want help or know someone who could have any of these conditions which is causing their back pain? CALL my office right now and schedule a FREE CONSULTATION!!!