Back pain is incredibly common. In fact, it’s estimated that about 16 million adults suffer from some type of backache or chronic pain.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to treat back pain, and most people who deal with it on a regular basis can find some kind of relief.
But, what’s better than treating back pain is actually being able to prevent it, in the first place. In order to do that, you have to know what’s causing it.
There are dozens of potential reasons why your back feels like it’s killing you. Let’s go over three of the most common ones. The more you know about the underlying cause(s) of your pain, the more preventative steps you can take to stop it before it starts.
- A Disc Out of Place
One of the most common causes of back pain is disc displacement. It can happen for a variety of reasons, especially with age. This is sometimes known as a “bulging” disc, and create a lot of problems if it isn’t taken care of.
Thankfully, getting a Chiropractic Adjustment may help with discs that aren’t aligned properly. A few regular visits to a chiropractor can help to stop the pain and keep it from coming back.
- Pinched Nerve
If your back has started hurting suddenly and you never had issues with it before, you could be dealing with a pinched nerve.
When discs are pushed out of place, they can cause force on your nerves and actually “pinch” one, leading to sharp, shooting pains that can make it difficult to do just about anything. Many times, the pain leads to sciatica in the lower back or upper leg.
The best thing you can do for a pinched nerve is to avoid a lot of movement. In some cases, you may need to see a doctor to immobilize the affected area with a splint.
- Muscle Strain
Some people who have back pain are surprised because they’re in good shape. Unfortunately, your workout could be contributing to the aches and pains you feel.
If you regularly strength train as part of your workout regiment, you’re doing great things for your body. But, lifting something heavy can put a lot of strain on your back, especially when you’re just getting started. It’s normal to feel a bit achy after a workout. But, if your back pain continues, try to lift lighter weights or give yourself a few days of rest in between each routine. Resting gives your muscles time to repair themselves and get stronger, so the next time you lift weights you may not feel that same pain. The worst thing you can do is to keep pushing yourself through the pain. You risk injuring yourself or even tearing a muscle in your back if you do.
Again, there are so many additional things that can contribute to back pain. Don’t be afraid to do your own research, especially if you have a “hunch” as to what might be causing yours. The more you know, the more you can do to find relief.
