Did you know that 54 percent of Americans have suffered from chronic back pain for five years or more? Are you one of them?

 

Some people blame stress for their back pain, while others blame injuries or poor posture. Some have no idea at all what’s causing their pain.

 

If you’ve been wondering, “why does my back hurt?” keep reading. Some common causes of back pain — along with tips on how to relieve that pain — are explained below.

 

Why Does My Back Hurt?

 

There are lots of issues that can contribute to chronic back pain. Some common causes include:

 

Spinal Sprains or Strains

 

Often, back pain can be attributed to an injury like a sprain (stretched or torn ligament) or a strain (stretched or torn muscle). If you’ve been in a car accident or involved in a sports injury, you could have sustained a strain or a sprain.

 

These injuries can also stem from simply overstretching when reaching overhead or reaching behind you to grab something.

 

Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation

 

If the cartilage surrounding the sacroiliac joint, which is located at the junction of the spine and the pelvis, becomes irritated or inflamed, it can lead to pain in the lower back.

 

Instability and inflammation to this joint often result from acute injuries, chronic wear and tear, or a side effect of a condition like arthritis.

 

Spinal Stenosis

 

Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs when the spinal canal begins to narrow. This narrowing puts pressure on the spine and the nerves. This can lead to pain in the back as well as numbness in the legs and arms.

 

Spinal stenosis most commonly affects elderly individuals.

 

Herniated Discs

 

Many people’s back pain is also caused by disc disorders, including herniated discs.

 

A herniated disc is a type of injury that occurs when the soft tissue between the vertebrae in your spine slip out of place. Once they’ve slipped out of place, they may irritate the nerves and cause back pain.

 

Herniated discs can be caused by everyday wear and tear or by acute accidents or injuries.

 

Arthritis

 

There are many different forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage and bones begin breaking down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the joint tissue.

 

Back pain can be a symptom of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Scoliosis

 

Scoliosis is a condition that involves an abnormal curvature of the spine.

 

Many people are born with scoliosis and don’t notice any serious side effects. But, if you develop scoliosis later in life, you will likely experience back pain as a result.

 

Lifestyle Triggers

 

There are many different lifestyle activities and factors that can cause or contribute to back pain. Common lifestyle triggers for back pain include:

 

• Sitting at a desk all day
• Lifting heavy objects, either occasionally or as a part of your daily routine
• Not exercising
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Sleeping on an old or unsupportive mattress

 

Wearing high heels can also contribute to chronic back pain since these shoes often alter one’s posture and spinal alignment.

 

How to Prevent and Treat Back Pain

 

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why you might be experiencing chronic back pain. The good news, though, is that there are also lots of strategies you can utilize to treat your back pain and keep it at bay.

 

The following are some of the most well-known and effective techniques to relieve back pain and prevent it:

 

Change Your Sleep Situation

 

If it’s been a long time since you last changed your mattress, you may want to consider an upgrade.

 

Getting a more comfortable, supportive mattress can make a world of difference for folks struggling with chronic back pain.

 

Chiropractic Adjustments

 

Many people experience back pain relief being adjusted by a chiropractor. Adjustments can help realign the spine to minimize pain and reduce inflammation.

 

Many chiropractors also specialize in helping people who are suffering from herniated discs.

 

A study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 did a comprehensive review of spinal manipulative treatment for acute low back pain and found moderate benefit but more importantly, almost no harm or further damage from doing so.

 

Massage

 

If your back pain was brought on by an injury like a strain or sprain, you might be able to find relief from a deep tissue massage.

 

Yoga

 

Research shows that a regular yoga practice can be very helpful to folks who struggle with low back pain. Even going to just one or two classes a week can make a difference.

 

Strength Training

 

By strengthening the muscles, especially the muscles of the back and core, you can improve your range of motion and prevent future injuries.

 

Are You Looking for Back Pain Relief?

 

Are you tired of wondering, “why does my back hurt?” Are you ready to get to the root of the problem and figure out what’s causing your pain?

 

Keep this information in mind to start getting to the root of your back pain and learning how you can treat it and prevent it from coming back in the future.

 

If you’ve tried home remedies and haven’t found any relief, you might want to consider working with a pain management specialist. 

 

Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more about our procedures and services that will help you experience back pain relief.