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Our back is one of our most important body parts, which is why keeping fit is so important. Back pain can be caused by a number of different factors. If your back can't support your entire body weight, then you could put yourself at risk of serious injury or worse.
It is one of the most common reasons people make a trip to our New York pain management center. Back pain is inextricably linked with how we live our lives, from where we work to how we sleep. So if you're suffering from back pain, you should look at these factors.
Back Pain has been Linked to Poor Posture
Poor posture is one of the main culprits when it comes to causing back pain. Poor posture results in muscle imbalances in the upper back, neck, and shoulders, as well as tightness in the lower back muscles. These factors can lead to postural misalignment and increased stress on the spine.
When you stand up straight, your vertebrae should be stacked on top of each other without any gaps or twists in between them. But if you slump over, your vertebrae may not line up properly and create pressure points where nerves and blood vessels run through the spine.
Overuse is One of the Main Causes of Back Pain
One of the main causes of back pain is overuse, whether it's from a single traumatic incident or from repeated minor injuries. For example, if you have a job that requires you to lift heavy objects, you may eventually injure your back and develop chronic pain. The back is made up of bones, joints, and muscles that work together to provide stability and flexibility. When any one component becomes weak or injured, it can result in back pain.
Back pain can last anywhere from a few days to several months or even longer. However, it can also be a sign of something more serious, so it's important to get it checked out by a health professional as soon as possible if you have persistent or worsening symptoms.
Back Problems can Result from Working Conditions
Improper working conditions can also contribute to back pain, especially if you're stuck sitting at a desk all day long without getting up at least once every hour to stretch out your muscles and blood circulation system through exercise breaks throughout the day.
Many people spend hours hunched over their desks or phones without taking time out for breaks or stretching. In addition, many people sit down all day long at work or school without standing up and moving around enough. Both of these habits can lead to poor circulation and sluggish blood flow in the body, which may cause pain in the back muscles after prolonged periods of sitting.
Repetitive motions such as lifting, bending, twisting, and other movements can strain muscles and cause injury. For example, carrying heavy items can strain the back muscles and compress the spine's discs (the soft cushions between each vertebra).
If you have chronic back pain or have had an episode of acute back pain that has not resolved within a few weeks, see a pain specialist because these symptoms may indicate another cause for your pain.
Injuries are Another Common Cause of Back Pain
An injury could be minor (such as a muscle strain) or serious (such as a herniated disc). Injuries caused by sudden movements or twisting motions usually result in inflammation at the site of injury (or surrounding areas).
Inflammation causes swelling around injured tissues and makes healing more difficult than it would be otherwise. In some cases, inflammation may persist for months or even years after an injury — leading to chronic back pain that doesn't seem to get better no matter how much rest you take or how many anti-inflammatories you take. When this happens, seek medical help from a health professional immediately. The earlier you get treatment, the better.
An Inactive Lifestyle Increases the Risk of Getting Back Pain
A sedentary lifestyle, especially for those with a desk job, is one of the biggest risk factors for developing back pain. Previous research has shown that low levels of physical activity are associated with an increased risk of chronic pain in general, not just back pain specifically.
Inactivity can cause your body to lose muscle mass and flexibility, which makes your spine more vulnerable to injury. Additionally, if you sit for long periods at work or during leisure time, your back muscles may become tight, which leads to more pain when you stand up.
Inactivity also makes it harder for your body to recover from injury or illness more quickly because it slows down blood flow and reduces circulation in your muscles. If you're not active regularly and have recently started experiencing back pain, it's important to talk with a pain specialist about ways to reduce your risk of further injury.
Age can Also Play a Role in the Development of Back Pain
As we get older, our bones become less flexible, and our muscles lose strength and elasticity (the ability to stretch). This makes us more susceptible to injury. If you're an older adult, it's important to keep your bones strong and maintain a healthy weight. This can help prevent osteoporosis (a disease that causes bones to become brittle) and fractures. If you already have osteoporosis, talk with a pain specialist about treatment options.
Back Pain is Usually Related to Long-Term Strain on the Spine
The spine provides support for your entire body and allows you to bend, twist, and lift objects. If you have weak abdominal muscles or tight back muscles, these areas may not be strong enough to support the weight of your body without strain on your spine.
This can cause the discs between each vertebra in your spine to bulge out from pressure or break down completely. The discs act like shock absorbers between each vertebra, so if they're damaged, it can cause more stress on other parts of your spine as well as pain in other areas, such as the lower extremities (legs).
Seek Professional Help
The problem with back pain is that there are so many variables to consider when diagnosing the cause of your discomfort. Fortunately for you, knowing what causes back pain will open a world of options for treatment and prevention. It's time to stop living in pain and start living life.
The best way for you to know which one is right for you is by getting professional help from a certified New York pain management practitioner. They can help determine the underlying cause of your back pain. Once this is determined, they can come up with a treatment plan that is customized for you and your specific situation.