Back pain is a common problem affecting literally millions of people. It can range from minor, temporary pain, to sustained pain in different parts of the back, neck or shoulders or involve the pinching of nerves, affecting the legs or arms.<\/p>\n
The causes of\u00a0back pain<\/a>\u00a0vary and can often be a combination of factors. Some of the factors identified by practitioners are set out below.<\/p>\n Sprains and strains<\/strong>\u00a0An out-of-condition back or one with pre-existing problems is more vulnerable to soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains. A sprain isa joint injury that involves stretching or tearing of the ligaments.<\/p>\n A strainisan injury to muscle or tendons. Stretching a ligament or muscle too quickly can result in a tear. Excessive force and certain repetitive use may also damage muscles.<\/p>\n Disc problems<\/strong>\u00a0The intervertebral discs are the cushions between our vertebrae. These discs dry out and harden with age, making them susceptible to injury. Common disc complaints involve the disc bulging (prolapse), herniating or even rupturing.<\/p>\n Most disc problems arise from sustained\u00a0stress<\/a>\u00a0or injury and may be caused by back strain (such as when lifting).<\/p>\n Muscle Imbalance\/Poor Posture<\/strong>\u00a0Muscle imbalances often involve certain muscles losing their natural functioning and over-working or being under utilised. This can happen as a result of lifestyle\u00a0stress<\/a>\u00a0and bad habits of body use over a sustained period.\u00a0Muscle imbalance can lead to or work in tandem with bad posture to result in such back problems as chronic lower back pain, neck pain,\u00a0shoulder pain<\/a>\u00a0or frozen shoulder.<\/p>\n Emotional\/neuromuscular causes<\/strong>\u00a0Sustained\u00a0stress<\/a>\u00a0or emotional trauma can cause muscular\u00a0tension<\/a>\u00a0to be \u201cheld\u201d unconsciously in the body leading to\u00a0back pain<\/a>.<\/p>\n Structural Problems<\/strong>\u00a0Structural problems involving the spine can cause\u00a0back pain<\/a>. These include the following:<\/p>\n Scoliosis \u2013 an excessive sideways curve of either the upper or lower regions of the spine. Kyphosis \u2013 sometimes referred to as \u201chunchback\u201d, this is an excessive outward curve of the upper back.<\/p>\n Disease<\/strong>\u00a0Diseases that can affect the spine and cause\u00a0back pain<\/a>\u00a0include:<\/p>\n Ankylosing spondylitis \u2013 a disease that causes\u00a0inflammation<\/a>\u00a0in spinal joints and limb joints potentially leading to fusion of vertebrae\u00a0Arthritis<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 especially\u00a0osteoarthritis<\/a>, involves cartilage that normally cushions joints breaking down. Osteoporosis \u2013 is a condition involving thinning of the bones. It commonly occurs in women after the\u00a0menopause<\/a>\u00a0but can also affect men.<\/p>\n Sciatica<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Sciatica<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0nerve pain<\/a>\u00a0from the\u00a0sciatic nerve<\/a>, a nerve that runs from the spine through the buttock and down the back of the leg.\u00a0Sciatica<\/a>\u00a0is often caused by a disc bulge or prolapse pressing on the spinal nerve. Other causes can include a narrowing of the nerve tunnel between discs as a result of\u00a0osteoarthritis<\/a>.<\/p>\n Find therapists and products specifically for\u00a0back pain<\/a>\u00a0at Back Pain Directory \u2013\u00a0http:\/\/www.backpaindirectory.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n