What is causing your back pain?
The Causes of Back Pain
The most common causes of back pain are structural injuries. This is when some part of the back becomes injured and it can lead to chronic back pain. There are many other causes of back pain but they are less common.
Structural Causes of Back Pain
Sprain/Strain: A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that support the spine. A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Both commonly happen from twisting or lifting improperly.
Disc problems: Between each of the bones that make up the spine (the vertebrae), there are fluid filled discs that work as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. The discs can become compressed or even rupture and when this happens the disc can press on the nerves. Another common problem is that as we age and our joints become arthritic, the disc can also start to break down. This is called degenerative disc disease (DDD).
Spondylolisthesis: This is when a vertebra in the spine slips out of place or gradually moves out of alignment. This occurs most commonly in the low back.
Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Stenosis is often a secondary condition that results from some other changes in the spine; for instance, arthritis or ruptured discs can both lead to narrowing of the canal.
Scoliosis or other congenital changes to the spine: The spine can be abnormal due genetic factors, such as scoliosis of having an extra vertebrae from birth. This will often cause chronic back pain due to the mechanical changes in the spine.
Myofascial pain: tightness and pain of the muscles supporting the spine due to damage to the muscles or a result of the nerve input to the muscles coming from the spine. All of the conditions listed above can in one way or another irritate the muscles of the spine, causing them to become chronically tight and painful.
Other Causes of Back Pain
Ankylosing Spondylosis (AS): AS is a disease that is still not clearly understood, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks the joints between the bones of the spine, leading to chronic inflammation in these areas. The bones of the spine create more bone tissue in the joints to protect itself and eventually the entire spine will fuse together. There is currently no cure for AS.
Osteoporosis: can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae. There are two factors that greatly affect the progression of osteoporosis, diet and exercise. Both are important in treating osteoporosis but the most important factor is exercise.
Fibromyalgia: a condition of widespread muscle pain and fatigue. It is interesting that there doesn’t seem to be one single cause for fibromyalgia but it is often the case that the body has received a series of severe traumas. This could be severe accidents, exposure to radiation or chemicals, severe infections, etc. It seems that fibromyalgia is more of a state that we end up in after these traumatic events.
Kidney Stones: can refer severe pain in the lower back. This is a severe condition that requires medical care, so you will need to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Endometriosis: which is the buildup of uterine tissue in places outside the uterus can also refer pain in the lower back. While acupuncture can help with the pain from endometriosis, you will need to find a gynecologist (preferably one that specializes in endometriosis) for long term care.
Pregnancy: because of the additional weight on the spine can lead to back pain, especially in the lower back.
In some of the above conditions acupuncture can be very helpful. Others require medical care. To see when you should come for acupuncture (or when you need to seek medical care) read my article on treating your back pain.
