Back Pain
Back pain happens to be one of the most common medical conditions that people of all ages suffer from in the UK.
It may be described as a dull and constant ache that can often transition to sudden and sharp pain, effectively restricting movement in many cases.
Is all back pain the same?
Not all back pain is the same in any given individual. It can sometimes come about gradually, depending on factors such as physical activity, posture, stress levels, nutrition, etc. While at other times, it may arise due to an accident such as a fall or lifting something heavy without maintaining a neutral arch, for example. Other medical conditions or inflammatory disorders may also cause back pain.
Even though back pain may affect people of all ages, older people tend to suffer more from back problems, either due to the kind of work they’ve been doing throughout their lives or due to degenerative disc disease.
Who is at a high risk of back pain?
Many factors increase your chances of developing back pain. These include:
Current fitness level – Back pain tends to be more common in people who have a sedentary lifestyle or are not physically active. Due to weak back and abdominal muscles, the spine does not get the support it needs, leading to back pain and strains. However, exercising suddenly or too strenuously after being physically inactive for a while can also cause backaches and pains.
Too much weight – A diet rich in ‘empty’ calories, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to weight gain. This places undue pressure on the spine, causing back pain and discomfort, especially during motion or movement.
Work-related factors – Some jobs require lifting heavy objects or repetitive and often strenuous pushing/pulling movements daily. On the other hand, a desk-bound job can also cause back pain, particularly if you do not sit in an upright and neutral position, which is often made worse by using a chair that doesn’t support the spine properly.
Age-related factors – With age, the spinal discs degenerate, and years of accumulated stress start to show its effects. You will find that people over 45 typically tend to have more back problems.
Genetic factors – In some cases, genes may play a role in certain spine disorders, which can cause back pain ranging from mild-moderate and even severe in some instances.
What are the symptoms of back pain?
Sometimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint whether you are suffering from back pain or something else, such as kidney pain, glute pain or stomach pain, which might lead you to believe that you have back pain. However, this pain can often radiate away from the back to other body parts, such as the legs, buttocks and abdomen.
Here’s how to know you have back pain:
Consult with our friendly osteopath today to have your back pain diagnosed properly and set yourself on the road to recovery.
