Back pain is incredibly common in the Western world. It’s thought to affect between 4% and 26% of the population at any one time. When we think of the spine, we often associate it with serious injury. Before I became a practitioner, the first time I had back pain, I remember panicking.
Growing up in the 90s, there was a fear that once you had it, you had to rest, and it was something very serious and difficult to treat. Luckily, times have changed, and we now have a much better understanding of the causes of back pain and what can be done to fix them. If you’re struggling with back pain, please do pop into Physical therapy center near Waterford, MI
In this blog, we’ll look at some of the most common causes of back pain, how to identify them, and what you can do about them.
Common Causes of Back Pain and What You Can Do About Them
Abnormal Curvature of the Spine
Does your back just feel generally achy? In many cases, general aches and pains resolve when posture is corrected. Examples of abnormal curvature include scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, or a flat back.
Our natural posture often results from the balance between the pairs of muscles that support our spine, which means it’s easy to correct by addressing this imbalance. The spine comprises several discs stacked on each other, and these can get achy if they’re out of natural alignment.
Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) Pain
The sacroiliac joint connects your spine to your pelvis. In some people, especially those who are hypermobile, pregnant, or play a unilateral sport, this joint starts to cause aches and pains that radiate into the back.
The good news is that SIJ pain can be corrected by strengthening and balancing the muscles around the joint. SIJ pain often improves with targeted manual therapy and manipulation.
Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms are a very common cause of back pain. One of the most common spasms occurs in the Quadratus Lumborum muscle (QL). For anyone who’s ever suffered from this, you’ll know how excruciatingly painful it can be. QL spasms are thought to be caused by compensatory movement patterns.
When we sit at a desk, our hip flexors get tight, inhibiting our glutes. When our gluteus medius muscle doesn’t fire correctly, our QL overcompensates. Correcting this requires retraining movement patterns and releasing and stretching the muscle.
Although spasms can be relieved with medication in the short term, it’s best to see a physio to correct the patterns of movement causing the problem.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs often occur when someone lifts something heavy without hinging properly from the spine. These injuries are most common in males and those with stiff bodies. If your pain comes on after lifting and is aggravated by flexion movements such as touching your toes, it could be a sign of a herniated disc.
Although this may feel like the end of the world, most herniated discs recover quickly with good physio. Recovery involves mobilizing the hips, increasing core strength, and improving movement patterns. While an injury may take at least six weeks to heal, you can often be pain-free much sooner.
Stenosis/Arthritis/Spondylolisthesis
Stenosis is linked to the narrowing of the spinal canal as a person ages. Although this is likely an inevitable part of aging, by strengthening the muscles supporting the spine, correcting movement patterns, and specialist soft tissue work, you can live a more comfortable life.
Conclusion
There are many causes of back pain. In the past, cases we used to label as ‘non-specific back pain’ can now often be attributed to a specific cause that can be treated with targeted therapy. Understanding the underlying issues is key to effective treatment.
If you experience persistent or severe back pain, consult a healthcare professional to identify the cause and receive appropriate care.