There are situations, though, when you can pinpoint the specific cause of your aching back. You may have picked something up incorrectly and immediately felt the ache. Or perhaps you’ve been hearing from your doctor for a while that your slouching ways will eventually cause them to be right.
Sometimes it’s obvious what’s causing your lower back pain, but other times it’s not so clear. Many different factors might contribute to back discomfort. Diseases and injuries might be short-term, like a pulled muscle, or long-term, like scoliosis or cancer. The first step in treating back pain is to identify its root cause.
Rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and other conservative treatments are often effective in alleviating back discomfort within a few days to a few weeks. Some reasons, such as sciatica, can be treated conservatively, while others may require surgery or other invasive procedures.
When discomfort persists for more than three months and cannot be alleviated by the body’s own mechanisms, it is called chronic pain. Problems with the spine’s discs, joints, or nerve roots commonly cause chronic low back discomfort. Causes that are more common include:
- Strains
Most cases of back discomfort, especially in the lower back, may be traced to a strain or sprain.
Muscle and tendon tears are called strains, while ligament tears are called sprains.
A fall, an injury sustained while playing sports, or misuse of a joint can cause a tendon or ligament to tear.
The discomfort is typically characterised as “all over” and radiating into the buttocks and can range from mild to severe. The discomfort is worse when you move and better when you relax.
- Disc injury
Injuries to the Spinal discs are common. The probability of this happening rises as one age. The outer layer of the disc might rip or herniate.
If the cartilage that surrounds the disc pushes on the spinal cord or nerve roots, this is known as a herniated disc. The disc that normally separates your vertebrae has moved out of its typical alignment.
When this happens, the nerve root that emerges from the spinal column might get pinched as it travels through the vertebrae. Disc injuries are common following a quick movement, such as lifting or twisting, that puts strain on the back. Pain from a disc damage, in contrast to that of a strained back, typically persists for more than three days.
- Sciatica
As the name implies, sciatica is a pain in the sciatic nerve that travels down the back of each leg. Since the sciatic nerve (a major nerve in the leg generated by nerve roots that exit the lumbar spine) is not directly inflamed in this illness, the name is misleading. Sciatica is brought on by irritation to the lumbar nerve roots.
A herniated disc, bone spur, pelvic, buttock, or thigh injury can all lead to painful symptoms known as sciatica. Additional concerns include diabetes, pregnancy, and extended sitting.
- Scoliosis
The spine of a person with scoliosis curves or twists in an “S” or “C” shape. It often appears in early infancy.
Although scoliosis has been related to illnesses including cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, its underlying aetiology is often unclear. Another cause is a genetic predisposition or a congenital abnormality.
Scoliosis is associated with limited mobility and persistent discomfort in the back or neck. As the condition worsens, the victim may have problems breathing.
- Arthritis
Deterioration of the cushioning cartilage between the vertebrae is what leads to osteoarthritis of the spine. Back pain that is dull, aching, or throbbing can develop when cartilage wears away and is made worse by motion.
Crepitus, or a popping feeling, may be felt, as well as joint stiffness and a decreased range of motion.
Bony outgrowths may emerge as the illness advances. When these bone spurs push on adjacent nerve roots, it might feel like you have a herniated disc in your spine and causing numbness and tingling.
- Fibromyalgia
The widespread musculoskeletal discomfort is a hallmark of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain illness. It’s a complicated, long-lasting illness that might manifest as generalised or localised soreness and pain. Fibromyalgia symptoms include, but are not limited to, back pain.
- Spinal stenosis
The spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord, can get progressively more compressed as one age. Spinal stenosis is the name for this condition. Bone might build up too much in the spinal canal if there is arthritis in the spine.
Intense discomfort in the lower back and buttocks, weakened muscles, numbness, and tingling can all be symptoms of spinal canal narrowing caused by nerve compression.
Spinal stenosis may also be caused by scoliosis, Paget’s disease of the bone, or spinal trauma.
There is a wide variety of potential triggers for lower back discomfort. Although back muscular and spinal issues including strains, sprains, ruptured discs, sciatica, and arthritic pain are prominent causes, there are other reasons for back pain as well.
A physical examination and a thorough assessment of your medical history are necessary for a correct diagnosis of back pain. The results will inform the ordering of other diagnostic testing, including laboratory and imaging procedures, to help restrict the reasons.
Rest, ice/heat application, and medication are common treatments for back discomfort. A physiotherapy is an option for those suffering from chronic back pain or a serious back injury. If non-surgical treatments have been ineffective, spinal surgery may be considered.
