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Reasons for Back Pain

Most people will have back pain during their lifetime and, according to the Mayo Clinic, backaches are one of the most common medical reasons for doctor's visits and absences from work. Fortunately, most of the reasons people get back pain are preventable, and back pain that does develop can often be treated at home with rest and pain relievers as recommended by a doctor. Consider this information--derived from the Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Arthritis and Muscolskeletal and Skin Diseases, and the National Pain Foundation--about the reasons for back pain.

  1. Injuries

    • People who exercise without warming up or stretching beforehand may experience back aches after a workout. People who experience a fall or have an auto accident may experience back pain as a result of their injuries. Improperly bending when lifting or pushing an object can result in a strained back muscle, which can cause back pain for several days until the muscle is healed.

    Medical Conditions

    • People with cancer of the spine may notice back pain as a result of growth of tumors that irritate or put pressure on the spinal nerve. Cauda equina syndrome causes back pain and incontinence as a result of neurological damage in the lower back. People may also develop infections of the spine as a result of medical procedures or infections in other parts of the body, which can result in back pain, fever and redness of the skin on the back.

    Personal Factors

    • People who are inactive or over the recommended weight for their height are more likely to have back pain than people who are active or of normal weight. Smoking tobacco decreases circulation, which may be a reason for back pain in people who use tobacco products. Getting older is another reason some people may develop back pain, which may be a result of normal wear and tear on the joints, tendons and muscles of the back.

    Poor Posture

    • Sitting or standing in the same position for a long period of time may cause people to have back pain. Women who are pregnant may have back aches and pains due to the growth of the unborn baby and changes in their body shape that affect posture. People who slouch, hunch their shoulders or lean over their computers for several hours a day may also experience back, neck or shoulder pain.

    Spinal Disorders

    • People with arthritis or facet joint syndrome in the joints of the spine may experience back pain and stiffness that may flare up at some times and be mild at others. A ruptured or bulging disk can also be a reason for back pain, which may extend into the buttocks and legs if the disk irritates the sciatic nerve. Back pain may also develop as a result of structural problems of the spine, including abnormal curves of the spine, spinal stenosis or osteoporosis.

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