Back pain is one of the most common ailments affecting people all over the world. It occurs for various reasons, but the good news is that there are ways to manage back pain. Below, we explore the common causes of back pain and how to address the condition.

Symptoms of Back Pain

The symptoms of back pain also vary from person to person. For some people, the pain can manifest as muscle aches. The pain can become a shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation. In more severe cases, the pain can extend to other parts of the body, such as the leg, or it occurs during certain movements when bending, lifting, walking, or twisting. Back pain can be chronic and can last over a week at a time. This can affect a person's quality of life, especially if symptoms accompany the pain such as weakness, numbness, or a tingling sensation.

What Causes Back Pain?

One of the most common causes of back pain is a pulled muscle or tendon, which causes tightness and muscle spasms. Usually, people who strain a muscle or tendon in their back do so while attempting to lift heavy objects. Two more common causes of back pain are arthritis and osteoporosis. Arthritis occurs when your joints are chronically inflamed, causing stiffness and swelling. Osteoporosis is a condition that results in lower bone mass. When bones are weakened in this way, they can easily be fractured, resulting in back pain. Other causes of back pain include a herniated or ruptured disc or injuries from sports or trauma.

How to Remedy Back Pain

As mentioned, most back pain can be treated, and the symptoms usually go away after a while. When exploring your treatment options, you may come across options such as pain pills, antidepressants, and narcotics. However, one of the best options is to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. According to the American Medical Association, chiropractors rank highest when it comes to lower back pain treatments. They rate higher than physical therapists (PTs) and primary care physicians/MD (for instance, family or dental medicine and specialist physicians/MD: i.e., orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, and neurosurgeons.)

The bottom line is that although back pain happens for various reasons and affects many people, you don't have to live with the pain. If you have back pain, no matter how minor, get in touch with us today to discuss options to improve your symptoms.