Common Causes of Back Pain

1. Postural stresses that over stretch ligaments, tire muscles and put joints and nerves under pressure.
2. Muscle strains , spasm and trigger points from poor lifting technique or other overuse activities can be acutely painful.
3. Ligaments that are overstretched due to trauma can tear and bleed into surrounding tissues, causing swelling and pain.
4. Discs are anchored to the vertebrae, above and below, so they cannot slip out of place. They can wear down with age but most problems occur in early adulthood when they bulge (prolapse), herniate or even rupture.
5. The Sciatic nerve runs from the low back, down the buttocks and the back of the legs. Irritation anywhere along this pathway will cause pain in the back and legs.
6. Vertebral and facet joints can be affected by arthritis, causing degeneration and inflammation within the joint.
7. Weakness of the deep abdominal muscles can place great strain on the lower back.

It is normal to worry about the cause of your pain and the impact it may have on you. Talking to your health practitioner about your concerns can be helpful. You will usually find there is no serious cause and that there are ways to relieve your symptoms.