Back pain is a common complaint. The pain can be mild or severe, gradual or sudden,
temporary or persistent. Depending on the source and severity, back pain can have detrimental
effects on a person’s daily functioning.
First off, it is important to recognize that back pain by itself is not a diagnosis; but rather a
symptom of a medical condition. There are many conditions that can cause it, which you will
find listed below.
Mechanical Back Pain
Mechanical back issues have to do with the way the body moves, and how a person feels as they
move around. Perhaps the most common mechanical problem is related to Inter-vertebral
Disc Degeneration. Usually this comes with age, wherein discs in the back can break down,
or cartilage degenerate. Either of these causes bones to grind together because they are not
cushioned well. Discs themselves can also rupture, called herniated disc. Muscle spasms and
muscle tension are also considered mechanical problems.
Spine Infections
Infections can cause pain when they involve muscles, tissues, or organs of the back, and
infections can create degeneration of cartilage between discs as well as disc degeneration.
Infection of the kidney, located on either side of the back, is a serious condition that is extremely
painful. A kidney infection can happen very quickly as a result of bacteria that travel up from
the bladder. Infections require prompt medical attention. Tumors can also appear in the back,
though rarely, and may be a secondary symptom of a serious condition, such as cancer.
Back Injuries
Injuries to the spine, such as sprains or fractures can cause temporary pain, or, pain that lasts
over a long period of time. A sprain is the tearing of a ligament at a joint when the ligament is
moved away from its normal position (for example, when you unexpectedly stumble off a curb,
spraining the ankle), whereas a strain is inflammation of ligaments and muscle tissue; which
happens when a ligament is overstretched or overworked beyond its normal position (such as
overworking a muscle or stretching it beyond its normal position). It’s always a good idea to
stretch out before working out or performing any physical activity. Remember that shoulders
are also part of the back, and straining these will cause back pain as well. Age makes us more
susceptible to injuries, as the bones and tissues become weaker. Likewise our resolve worsens,
because our immune systems become weaker.
Acquired Back Conditions
There are a host of acquired conditions or diseases that can cause back pain. Some of these
are: Scoliosis (curvature of the spine), various forms of Arthritis, including Osteoarthritis and
Rheumatoid Arthritis. Pregnancy can also cause pain, particularly in the lower back. Other
conditions could be kidney stones, Endometriosis, and Fibromyalgia.
Back Pain Treatments
Treatment for back pain will depend on what is causing the pain. There may be a variety of
diagnostic tests a physician will use to determine cause. They will listen to your symptoms,
may palpate the back, and have the patient stretch different muscle groups. They may take
a blood or urine sample to detect disease or infection. Finally, they may try XRAY, MRI or
ultrasound to get a closer look.
In a large majority of back pain cases, when there is no sinister cause found, a doctor would recommend a good physiotherapist to treat the underlying condition.
Other than the standard manual massages, exercises and stretches, and at The Pain Relief Practice, we offer a special multi-modality system which thoroughly removes most causes of back pain.
