Health Network News

Each day, a great many people deal with back pain of different types and severity. Unfortunately, the causes of back pain are not always easy to establish. Your spine is the hub for all your body movements, as well as being the core of your nervous system, meaning the problem could lie in several areas. Even so, getting to the root of the problem is highly important so that you can effectively treat the problem.

There are many possible causes of an aching back: arthritis, a damaged disc, or perhaps an underlying medical condition. In some of these situations surgery and physiotherapy may be called for if the condition is serious. More commonly, though, an aching back is the result of a lumbar muscle strain - this is usually brought on by overdoing it with sports or exercise, lifting heavy weights improperly and the like. This will all too often put you out of play for a few days, however your back will be able to mend itself in due course Just take an analgesic, take a break and apply heat or ice therapy

A herniated disc is one more frequent cause of back pain. The discs in your spine serve as buffers between your vertebrae. Located between the discs, they work to absorb shock. Though they’re reasonably flexible when you’re young, they become less so as you age. After the age of forty, your discs are a great deal more prone to damage.

Osteoporosis is a contributor to much of the back problems experienced by older individuals, particularly women, who experience greater calcium loss with age. The bones of those with osteoporosis become weak and are more susceptible to fracture. Another condition brought about by aging that leads to back pain is arthritis, a disease in which the cartilage that pads the joints becomes worn away.

To head off more damage when you are afflicted with pain in the back, make an appointment with a medical doctor to get some x-rays and tests. After you determine the source of your problem, an appropriate course of treatment can be started without delay.