Back pain is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Anyone who has experienced this excruciating and nagging pain understands how it can hamper their daily activities. To treat it effectively, it’s crucial to identify the root cause of the pain and in this article, we’ll look deeper at six specific factors that can cause back pain along with their treatments and prevention. We’ll also provide insights into a fantastic holistic approach to alleviating back pain—manual osteopathy.
Causes and Treatment of Back Pain
There are numerous causes of back pain; from simple muscle sprains to full-on herniated discs or scoliosis. On top of a number of other medical conditions, a person’s lifestyle and poor habits can also factor into play.
Treating back pain usually involves a combination of approaches ranging from rest and medications to physical therapy or injections for more severe cases. In some instances, doctors may suggest a minimally invasive procedure to help alleviate more aggressive symptoms.
For a more holistic approach, manual osteopathy is a proven alternative, providing pain relief and improved functionality without any harsh treatments. Let’s take a look at 6 of the most common root causes of back pain and discover how manual osteopathy may be able to help.
Lifestyle
Our quality of life is heavily correlated to some of our lifestyle choices and can have a great impact on back health. Poor posture and constant slouching can strain your muscles and contribute to the aches and pains that lead to poor quality of life.
Maintaining a healthy weight and being vigilant about getting some form of regular physical exercise—be that hitting the gym or simply going for a walk each day—are easy ways to help mitigate the risk of back pain.
If you suffer from back pain and know that your diet, exercise, and weight are not what they should be, adopting a healthier lifestyle regime dedicated to conscious weight management, healthy eating habits, and some sort of physical activity may provide some much-needed pain relief.
Improper Lifting
When a person lifts heavy objects without proper form, they put undue stress on their lower back muscles, increasing the risk of muscle strains and sprains. Lifting with an arched back or twisting the spine while lifting can lead to herniated disks, a more severe condition that can affect both the lower and upper back and requires medical intervention.
Thankfully, avoiding lifting-related back pain is simple. It begins with recognizing proper lifting techniques; keep your back straight, lift with your legs instead of your back, and keep the weight close to your body. It’s also essential to maintain core strength by tightening your stomach muscles, which puts your spine in a safer lifting position.
Age
The unfortunate truth is that as we age, the risk of developing back pain increases. The gradual breakdown and wear and tear of our body means that our spine ages right along with us and is more susceptible to injury and long-term pain. The most common cause of back pain related to age is degenerative disc disease—when the spinal discs lose their flexibility, cushioning, and shock-absorbing ability.
A few other common age-related conditions include osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and compression fractures, all of which may contribute to back pain.
While we can’t stop the clock, there are steps we can take to reduce and prevent back pain as we get older. Regular exercise, including targeted exercises to strengthen the back muscles, can help maintain flexibility and range of motion in the spine. Staying active and flexible also helps reduce the risk of falls, which can cause spinal fractures.
Psychological Conditions
Psychological factors, like stress, anxiety, and depression, have also been associated with a higher likelihood of developing back pain. Stress triggers muscle tension, leading to pain and discomfort all throughout the upper and lower back.
While they seem like simply mental afflictions, anxiety and depression can also cause physical symptoms, including back pain, due to the effects of stress hormones on the body.
Fortunately, there are several holistic approaches to prevent or alleviate back pain caused by psychological conditions. Stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga, can lower tension levels and promote pain relief.
The simple matter of engaging in activities that bring joy and connecting with loved ones can improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. Incorporating regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and maintaining healthy eating habits are all beneficial in managing stress levels and reducing the risk of that dreaded back pain. And these are all simple steps to take!
Being proactive about stress management and engaging in activities that promote mental and physical health, are some of the best holistic defenses against developing back pain from psychological conditions.
Smoking
For years, the health industry has promoted the dangers of smoking to the lungs, but are you aware that smoking can actually cause back pain? Smoking decreases the flow of blood to the discs in the spine, which are essential for cushioning and supporting the vertebrae. Without proper circulation, the discs may become brittle, leading to herniated disks that can cause chronic pain and other spinal issues.
Studies have revealed that smokers who quit within six months of experiencing back pain see a significant increase in the functionality of their spine and pain relief.
Injuries
Injuries come in all shapes and sizes and can lead to strains, sprains, fractures, and other issues that affect the muscles, bones, and nerves in the back. Acute injuries like falls, car accidents, and sports injuries can cause significant damage to the spine, leading to long-term back pain. Repetitive motion injuries can also cause significant damage to the back for extended periods of time.
You can take several measures to prevent back pain caused by injury. When participating in sports, you should wear protective gear and follow all the necessary safety rules to minimize the risk of injury.
When working or performing tasks involving heavy lifting or repetitive motion, use proper techniques and equipment, such as braces or lumbar supports, to take pressure off your back muscles and spine.
Maintaining good back flexibility and core stability by engaging in regular exercise and stretching can go a long way in helping to prevent pain both in the upper back and lower back. Strengthening the muscles of your legs, abdomen, and back can reduce the risk of falls and other accidents that also contribute to back pain.
Prevention of Back Pain
Preventing back pain is the key to avoiding further health-related concerns. It’s important to listen to your body—don’t over-exert or push it too hard. Take time for yourself and make sure you get enough rest and relaxation for overall health, putting less strain on your back. Self-care is a real priority, and taking the time to care for your body now can prevent discomfort later in life.
Back pain can be prevented with the right lifestyle choices and preventive measures. Many individuals are able to avoid acute or chronic back pain through proper care and attention to their everyday activities and habits.
Your back pain could be telling you that you have a serious problem at hand. Bulging or herniated discs, muscle strains, arthritis, sciatica, spinal stenosis, or perhaps a medical condition such as scoliosis or osteoporosis are just a few of the medical concerns associated with back pain. Left untreated, any one of these could result in serious consequences and even lasting damage. So, if you have chronic pain, it’s important to seek professional help and identify any underlying conditions that may need treatment.
Medical Conditions Associated with back pain:
- Bulging or Herniated Disks
- Muscle strains
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Spinal Stenosis
- Scoliosis
- Osteoporosis
Deal With Back Pain at Osteoklinika!
Specializing in manual osteopathy, Osteoklinika not only gets to the root cause of your back pain but treats it with manual osteopathy. Manual Osteopathy is a holistic approach that can assist in treating all of the conditions mentioned above. It’s a form of therapy that considers how the body’s structure and function are connected. The goal is to work toward total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles, and spine, and as a result, reduces/eliminates pain. Don’t suffer another moment, Osteoklinika has the help you need!