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Muscle sprains

Back pain can be caused by muscle sprains resulting from heavy lifting, sudden movements, shoveling, or bending over. Sudden movements can trigger a sudden onset of pain. This type of pain is usually related to a strain in one or more muscles in the lower back and can be severe.

Ruptured disks

The bones in your back are called vertebrae and they are small bones stacked on top of another. Your back is made up of vertebrae, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Pain signals are felt due to the entanglement of nerve endings around your spinal cord and vertebrae. The vertebrae are numbered from top to bottom. From top to bottom, the regions of the back are listed as:

• Cervical (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7)

• Thoracic (T1 through T12)

• Lumbar (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5)

• Sacral (S1, S2)

The most common areas for back pain are L4, L5, and S1.

The spinal cord passes through the openings of the back of the vertebrae and small nerves called nerve roots. Between each vertebra is a disc composed of outer tissue with a gel-like substance inside the disc. These discs protect the bones, acting like cushions, while decreasing nerve compression.

Arthritis

Aging also naturally increases back pain and is a risk factor for low back pain. Arthritis is a general term that means inflammation of the joints. There are many types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the once most commonly thought of when people say they have arthritis. Arthritis can affect the joints including the hands, back, knees, and hips. Arthritis often comes with aging. As you age, you are more at risk for arthritis. The best treatment for back pain caused by arthritis is to apply heat and avoid bed rest. Having strong muscles will take the strain off of your joints.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes your bones weak. Compression fractures caused by osteoporosis happen because the bones are weak and thin. Broken bones can easily occur when you have osteoporosis which is why it is important to make your home "fall safe." It sounds simple, but many fractures can be prevented if you reduce your chance of falling down.

Structural problems

Structural problems such as degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, ruptured discs, scoliosis, narrowing of the spinal column, vertebrae fractures, and spondylolisthesis cause back pain.

• Degenerative disc disease is caused by aging and occurs when the discs between the vertebrae of the spine break down.

• Herniated or ruptured discs are irritated by the nerves surrounding the spinal column due to nerve compression. Imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan can reveal herniated disks.

• Scoliosis is the congenital changes to the spine such as an overtly curved spinal column.

• Spinal stenosis is caused by the narrowing of the spinal column, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and causes nerve compression.

• Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra slips out of place.

Other serious causes of back pain include:

• Aging

• Degenerative disk disease

• Bulging discs

• Herniated discs

• Osteoarthritis

• Inflammatory conditions

• Compression fractures

• Lumbar spine stenosis from bone spurs

• Occupational back pain

• Ache or pain in the back, especially when lifting or bending

• Worsening pain when resting, sitting, or standing for long periods of time

• Muscle pain

• Muscle weakness

• Pain in the back and abdominal muscles

• Potentially: leg pain

• Stiffness in the morning

• Pain that radiates from your back to other areas of your body like buttocks, legs, or abdomen

NSAIDs

NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs are used to ease back pain when opioids are not indicated.

Muscle relaxers

Muscle relaxants ease back pain by reducing muscle spasms that occur alongside vertebrae.

• Arthritis

• Osteoporosis

• Degenerative disk disease

• Poor posture

• Flat feet

• Mental health issues