In today’s fast-paced life, backache is a quite common complaint of most individuals worldwide. It is a condition that affects over 90% of the population at one time or the other. Also, backache is the leading cause of disability in people younger than 45. So, you need to be aware of the common causes of a backache and how to take the right care and precaution to avoid being a victim of a backache. Read on to discover all about it.
What Is Backache?
A backache is pain felt in the back. If the pain in the back is anywhere below the ribs and up to the hips, then it is called low back pain. Episodes of back pain may be acute, subacute, or chronic depending on the duration.
6 Common Causes Of Backache:
Several causative factors are responsible for backache. The most common cause of back pain is poor posture. The real pain might be triggered by sudden lifting of weights, a fall on the back, a sudden turn or wrench, sitting in a cramped position for a long time, and many other reasons. You may have been doing certain activities improperly for a long time, such as standing, sitting, or walking, until one simple movement might trigger your pain all of a sudden.
Also Read: Could your Back Pain be Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Apart from these, many other causative factors are responsible for a backache as mentioned below.
- Herniated Or Slipped Disc: If the soft tissue in the discs between your joints has come out, it is called a slip disc. It’s usually caused by wear and tear. Displaced discs can press on the surrounding nerves and cause pain, tingling sensation & numbness in the legs.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: The discs or “shock absorbers” between your spine’s vertebrae shrink or tear out. This causes the bones to rub together. As a result, you suffer from pain in the back. Thus, degenerative disc disease is also a causative factor of back pain.
- Spinal Stenosis: Spinal cord travels through the spinal canal. If the lumen of this canal becomes narrow, it puts pressure on your spine and nerves. As a result, your legs and shoulders probably feel numbness, and you may suffer from back pain.
- Deformities: If the alignment of the spine, which is usually straight, happens to deviate either to the sides (scoliosis) or bend forwards (kyphosis), it can make you suffer from a backache. Long-term malalignment of the vertebral column can cause tremendous stress and strain on the supportive muscles that surround it and subject you to a backache.
- Trauma Or Injuries: Accidents, falls, muscle sprains, strains, and fractures are some of the common injuries and traumas that cause of back pain.
- Occupational: Nowadays, many jobs require long hours of standing, lifting heavy weights, or sitting in an uncomfortable position for several hours. All these can affect your back adversely and make you suffer from a backache.
In addition to the above-given causes, many other causative factors are also responsible for back pain.
8 Simple Yet Effective Ways To Avoid A backache:
However, following certain precautionary measures and taking the right care of your back can help you keep a backache at bay. Given below are some precautions that can help you avoid a backache.
- Daily exercises, such as regular walking, aerobic exercises, swimming, and other exercises, can make your back strong and help in avoiding the risk of development of a backache.
- Eat foods rich in calcium, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and proteins. They help in building and repairing bones and muscles.
- Avoid wearing high heeled shoes for long periods.
- If you have to sit for long hours, for instance, a long car drive, try taking halts every one hour and walk around a bit.
- Avoid standing for long periods at a stretch. If you need to stand for a long time, make sure your ears, s shoulder, hips, and knees are in the same straight line.
- Learn to bend and lift objects properly.
- When sitting for a long time, make sure your chair has a high back and it supports your back (especially the region between the ribs and hip bones) curvature properly. You may need the help of a pillow for the same.
- Avoid stress.
If your backache persists, then you should consult your doctor. If you have any query regarding back pain or any other chronic disease feel free to contact us.
-Written by Dr. Priyanka A, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah
