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Common Causes of Back Pain

By: Molly Cardella. Unfortunately, we don't pamper our precious backs as we do our skin or hair or nails. We should. Back pain is said to affect at one time or another up to 80% of the population. It is estimated that four out of five adults under the age of 45 will experience some sort of back pain in their lives. Back pain is said to be the second most common cause of people taking time off from work (the first being the common cold).

What are some characteristics of this surprisingly common condition?

Back pain is described in many different ways, and the type of pain you may experience will vary depending on the type of injury or illness you have. Back pain that occurs suddenly may be caused by injury, while back pain that occurs gradually usually indicates an underlying condition.

Some injuries and illness can leave you in so much pain that you are immobile, while other minor injuries can simply cause a mild pain. Severe back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms should be evaluated by a professional, who can help you determine the proper treatment.

Often, those who have experience a traumatic back injury suffer from emotional stress. Depression is common among those who have been placed on bed rest for an extended period of time, and is also found in people whose life style has changed significantly because of their pain.

There are a number of causes of back pain.

-- Growing old. An unavoidable part of life, growing old also includes losing muscle mass, which may in turn cause back pain.

-- Back pain is also associated with medical conditions like pregnancy, and the pain usually dissipates as the condition ceases.

-- Everyone knows someone who suffers with arthritis, a very common cause of back pain, particularly in the elderly and sports people.

-- Accidental injury, which may be treatable for short or long term.

-- Poor posture is perhaps the leading culprit of back pain. Those who work manual labor for a longtime can suffer, as well as can those that perform occupations that require sitting or standing for long periods of time, such as secretaries and office jobs.

-- Certain viral and bacterial infections, e.g., meningitis or a urinary tract infection, may cause back pain.

-- Inherited diseases, or diseases you are born with, can cause a life time of pain. One example would be scoliosis.

-- Back pain may be a symptom of a number of diseases, including kidney disease, gall bladder infection, etc.

As terrible as back pain is, it can be reduced, and often eliminated, by diagnosing the root cause. Degenerative disease and poor posture related pain can be reduced by conventional or homeopathic exercises and painkillers. Pain resulting from injury and disease can be completely eliminated.