Understanding Common Causes Of Back Pain And Finding Relief

Are you experiencing back pain? Can you describe it? At times, it might be difficult to pinpoint where pain is coming from and the reason behind it. However, being able to recognize the specifics around the pain can lead to a better diagnosis and treatment. It could also improve someone’s current quality of life and even work to prevent future back pain issues. Here is a brief look into causes of back pain and ways to find relief.

Back pain, in general, is common. In fact, 80% of adults will experience it during their lifetimes. In 2019 alone, approximately 39% of U.S. adults reported having suffered from back pain within the past three months. With such a high rate of occurrence, there must be a solution, right? The remedy depends on what’s causing the pain. This reason and more are what makes properly identifying the source, or sources, so important.

To assist with identifying pain, it’s vital to lay out a few standard classifications of back pain. The first is referred pain. With referred, the pain tends to move, may vary in intensity and stems from another source. For example, degenerative disc disease in the lower back may trigger referred pain in the hips or posterior thighs. It’s typically depicted as being dull and achy.

The second is axial pain, also known as mechanical pain. It can be described several ways including sharp, dull, constant or throbbing. The pain is confined to one spot or region and might be caused by a muscle strain.

There’s also radicular pain. This classification is often described as an electric shock-like sensation or searing. Usually brought on by compression and/or inflammation to a spinal nerve root, radicular pain travels the path of the spinal nerve. A herniated disc or spinal stenosis are common conditions leading to this type of pain.

Certain types of back pain can be caused by repetitive motions. At times referred to as wear and tear injuries, these can directly affect the spine and back. Generally, they develop from the accumulation of repeated stresses and could lead to lumbar ligament and joint capsule tears as well as vertebral disc injuries.

Other motions or positionings affecting the back may stem from poor posture. For instance, upper back tension and knots are frequently traced back to a forward head potion, uneven hips and rounded or twisted shoulders. Poor body mechanics can cause low back pain as well. Addressing hyperextended knees, excessive upper back slouching or weak gluteal muscles can help lessen pain in this area of the back.

Understanding these terms may help with describing the ache to your doctor, the area of its distribution and any related symptoms. Help may be found through a physical therapist for back pain management gilbert az. These professionals can diagnose an issue, create a custom treatment plan, administer manual therapy and more. Chiropractors can also be beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of back, neck and shoulder pain.

For further information on back pain causes and help understanding your pain, please see the accompanying resource.