Top 10 Possible Causes of Pain in Back

There are many possible causes of pain in back, ten possible causes of pain in back include:

Strains, sprains and spasms

Osteoarthritis

Fibromyalgia

Herniated Discs

Bulging or Ruptured Discs

Sciatica

Arthritis or Spinal Stenosis

Skeletal Irregularities

Osteoporosis

Infections of the Spine

For descriptions on each of the causes of pain in back listed above please read further…

Strains, Sprains and Spasms

One cause of pain in back is injury to a muscle or a ligament . These injuries are commonly referred to as strains and sprains and can occur for many reasons, including improper lifting, excess body weight and poor posture. Strains and sprains as a cause for pain in back – can develop from hauling around a heavy backpack or sleeping at an awkward angle. As a pivot point for turning at the waist, the lower back is especially vulnerable to muscle strains. Sometimes a strain or sprain causes immediate back pain. In other cases, soreness and stiffness come later.

Osteoarthritis

Sometimes causes of pain in back are related to osteoarthritis of the spine. As people age, the discs that act as cushions between the vertebrae become flatter and less flexible. Without the cushioning that these discs normally provide, the joints between vertebrae press tightly against each other. This can cause back pain and stiffness.

Fibromyalgia

This chronic condition  is characterized by fatigue and widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons — and is one of many causes of pain in back. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia usually includes a history of at least three months of widespread muscle pain accompanied by pain and tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 “tender points” of the body.

Herniated Discs

Normal wear and tear over time can cause one of the discs in your spine to rupture or herniate. Exceptional strain or traumatic injury can have the same effect. Many people describe this as a “slipped” disc. Back pain results when the herniated disc pinches one of the nerves that come out of the spinal cord. Herniated discs are found in one-third of adults older than 20 years of age!

Bulging or Ruptured Discs

Discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disc may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve.

Sciatica

If a bulging or herniated disc presses on the main nerve that travels down your leg, it can cause sciatica —  a  sharp, shooting pain through the buttock and back of the leg which usually originates on one side of the body.

Arthritis or Spinal Stenosis

The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hips, hands, knees and lower back. In some cases arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.

Skeletal Irregularities

Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. If the natural curves in your spine become exaggerated, your upper back may look abnormally rounded or your lower back may arch excessively. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain.

Osteoporosis

As you age, the amount of calcium in your bones decreases. This lowers the density or mass of your bones, making them porous and brittle a condition known as osteoporosis. If you have osteoporosis, daily lifting and other routine activities can cause low back pain by fracturing the front part of the weakened bones. These are known as compression fractures.

Infections of the spine

Infections of the spine are not one of the most common causes of pain in back, but they can cause back pain and can be dangerous. They are sometimes a cause of back pain in people with diabetes, drug addictions, alcoholic addictions, or patients on steroid drugs. Infections in the back (spinal infections), can also occur after a back surgery. Infections are more common in smokers and patients who have a nutritionally poor diet, diabetes or are obese.