Causes of back pain

من طرف Moza Alaa السبت يوليو 25, 2009 12:32 pm

Causes of back pain

How back is built

backbone (vertebral column) is actually a stack of more than 30 bones called vertebrae. Together they create a bony canal that surrounds and protects spinal cord. Small nerves enter and exit the spinal cord through spaces in vertebrae

The vertebrae are held together by muscles, tendons and ligaments. Between the vertebrae are intervertebral disks, which act as "shock absorbers" by preventing the vertebrae from hitting one another when walk, run or jump. The intervertebral disks also allow spine to twist, bend and extend

The lower back — which carries most of weight — is the site of most back pain. Here are some of the most common culprits

Strains, sprains and spasms

The most common cause of back pain is an injury to a muscle (strain) or a ligament (sprain). Strains and sprains can occur for many reasons, including improper lifting, excess body weight and poor posture. Strains and sprains can also develop from hauling around a heavy handbag or sleeping at an awkward angle. As a pivot point for turning at the waist, the lower back is especially vulnerable to muscle strains (shown here)

Sometimes a strain or sprain causes immediate back pain. In other cases, soreness and stiffness come later. An injured muscle may also "knot up." This muscle spasm is body's way of immobilizing the affected area to prevent further damage

Osteoarthritis

Sometimes back pain is related to osteoarthritis of the spine, a degenerative joint condition that causes slow deterioration of the disks between the bones that make up the backbone. Without the cushioning that these disks normally provide, the joints (facets) between vertebrae press tightly against each other.

This can cause back pain and stiffness. body may try to compensate for these changes by building new bone (spurs) to support the area where loading pressure is increased.
Because osteoarthritis usually develops over many years of physical activity, it's known as "wear-and-tear" arthritis. Obesity and injury to a joint are other risk factors for osteoarthritis

Herniated disk

Normal wear and tear over time can cause one of the disks in spine to rupture (herniate).Exceptional strain or traumatic injury can have the same effect. Many people describe this as a "slipped" disk. Back pain results when the herniated disk pinches one of the 50 nerves that come out of the spinal cord (illustration on the left)

The sciatic nerve (illustration on the right), which runs from spinal cord to leg, is most likely to be affected. Compression or inflammation of this nerve causes sciatica — a sharp, shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks and leg

Osteoporosis

As age, the amount of calcium in bones decreases. This lowers the density or mass of bones, making them porous and brittle — a condition known as osteoporosis
But what does osteoporosis have to do with back pain? Plenty. If have osteoporosis, daily lifting and other routine activities can cause low back pain by fracturing the front part of the weakened bones. These are known as compression fractures. A fall can have the same effect

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue and widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons — including the lower back. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia usually includes a history of at least three months of widespread muscle pain accompanied by pain and tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 "tender points" shown here

There are other causes of back pain. Rarely, back pain may indicate a more serious underlying problem, such as an infection, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer. If 're struggling with back pain, consult doctor. He or she can identify what's causing the pain and help get back on track