Back pain

A trauma or accident can damage the back muscles and cause muscle spasms and nerve irritation. Such injuries are common in sports or physical work. But often also, trying to reach an object placed high or wanting to lift a load too heavy may be enough to cause a backache.

Herniated disc.

Being injured or carrying a heavy load can also cause the sliding of an intervertebral disc or herniated disc. Thus moved to the spinal canal, the disc presses the nerves that generate pain in the back. Attention, with the age, the discs are altered, increasing the risk of sliding and thus of herniated disc.

Arthritis.

Common arthritis (inflammation), arthritis can also cause back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis, also causes back pain.

Osteoarthritis.

This other common condition results from joint wear, which often affects the vertebrae and vertebral joints.

Overweight.

Obesity is one of the factors favoring back pain. Indeed, excess weight exerts excessive pressure on the spine that can cause pain as well as arthritis (inflammation of the joints).

Physical inactivity

Lack of activity weakens the abdominal muscles. As a result, the pressure on the spine increases and can cause back pain.

Bad postures

Nothing like a bad posture to cause a misalignment of the spine, which forces the muscles and presses the nerves. These bad postures are frequent, during the simple walk or in sitting position, but also during activities of all kinds, professional and leisure. And they are favored by stress.

Associated diseases

Back pain can be part of the symptoms of certain diseases. This is the case of fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, pregnancy, some infections and some tumors, including the spine.

Prevent back pain

In practice, we can prevent back pain: physical activity, weight loss, good posture, avoid carrying a heavy load, fight against stress, etc.

But in case of persistent or recurrent back pain, it is advisable to consult your doctor in order to explore the causes and to set up a suitable treatment.