According to the National Library of Medicine, back pain is one of the most common reasons for Americans to seek emergency medical care. Treatment for this widespread issue also costs more than $200 billion annually. But many people don’t know what’s actually causing their back pain, let alone how to manage it. If you’re experiencing frequent or intermittent back pain, understanding more about this condition can help you pursue the treatment you need to thrive.
Top 4 Causes of Back Pain
Back pain can affect people in many different ways. It can show up in different areas, feel different, or flare up because of different — or sometimes no — stimuli. It can also be acute, subacute, or chronic. Because there are varying symptoms, it helps to work with a healthcare provider to determine the cause of your back pain.
Below are the most common causes of back pain, all of which can be further subcategorized into more specific diagnoses.
1. A Back Injury
If you injure your back, you might start to experience pain and discomfort right away. If you don’t allow the injury to heal properly, you could start to experience pain over time. A sprain, a strain, or a fractured vertebrae are some injuries that can cause back pain.
2. Repetitive Activities and Lifestyle Pressures
Some back injuries are not associated with acute trauma but rather with continuing to hurt your back with activities that aren’t good for it. For example, many people with repetitive jobs or sedentary lifestyles experience injuries like a herniated or ruptured disc due to their lifestyle habits.
3. Aging
Sometimes, back pain starts to increase with aging. This could be connected with your lifestyle, especially if you put lots of pressure on your back as you age. It could also have to do with conditions that may occur as you age, such as arthritis. Spinal stenosis, a common cause of back pain, is often associated with aging and the onset of arthritis.
4. A Medical Condition
Certain medical conditions might be the main cause of your back pain. Fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and endometriosis are all common causes of back pain, as is pregnancy. All of these conditions benefit from proper diagnosis and management for you to avoid further pain.
Ways to Relieve Your Back Pain
Back pain affects eight in 10 people at some point in their lives. That’s why it’s important to know the best ways to manage it, either for yourself or for someone you care about. You might start out treating the problem at home, but if it persists or becomes unbearable, it’s always best to seek care from a licensed provider.
Rest
If you’ve been living with any kind of back pain — acute or otherwise — it’s always recommended to rest your back rather than to push through the pain. This can give any inflammation time to reduce, and once you start to feel better, you can begin to build back up to your regular activities.
Ice and Heat
If you’ve injured your back or you simply want to relieve some of the pain, try out a combination of icing and heating the area. Do not apply either for more than 10 minutes at a time. Allow your back time to rest for 10 minutes between each application. Discuss this technique with your physician to determine the best way to utilize it based on your symptoms.
Improve Your Posture
Working to improve your posture could help you relieve back pain over time. For example, if you notice you’re not the kind of person who sits up straight, begin working on this. If you work in an office, use ergonomic office furniture like a lumbar support pillow or a foot rest — or both!
Sleep Safely
Many people contort themselves into painful positions while they’re sleeping, but this isn’t good for your back. Try training yourself to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. This can relieve back pain and help you align your spine as you doze.
Exercise — but Not While You’re in Pain
Exercising regularly can be an effective way to manage back pain. Even gentle exercises like walking or swimming may be helpful. But you may want to avoid exercising during or right after feeling pain. This could simply work to unravel the healing your body needs at this time.
Therapeutic Relief
If you experience chronic back pain, consider seeking out either physical or talk therapy. The former can help you manage pain, whether it’s with a physical therapist or a licensed massage therapist. The latter has been found to be effective for back pain, especially when paired with mindfulness teachings.
Management Through Medicine
There’s a number of pain-relieving medications, both prescription and over the counter, that can help you. However, always discuss these with your provider to make sure you’re using these medications properly and safely.
Getting Beyond Back Pain
It is possible to prevent, treat, and relieve back pain, and that begins with a diagnosis from your healthcare provider, especially if it has lasted for more than a few weeks. With an effective treatment or combination of treatments, you may be able to successfully manage and even eliminate your back pain, depending on its cause.
Resource Links
- Casiano, Vincent E., and Nikhilesh K. De. “Back Pain.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538173/.
- “Common Causes of Back Pain – Types and Treatment.” NIAMSD, National Library of Medicine, 2023, February, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain.
- “Back pain.” MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, 2016, https://medlineplus.gov/backpain.html
- “Meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy ease low back pain.” NIH Research Matters, NIH, 2016, March 29, https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/meditation-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-ease-low-back-pain.
- “Taking care of your back at home.” MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, 2022, July 25, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002119.htm.