6 Reasons Why You May Suffer From Back Pain

Both a lack of exercise and excessive exercise can be a risk factor for back pain, which is why it is so important to tailor each activity to our capabilities.

Pain in your back usually consists of a series of symptoms that cause discomfort in the spine. This problem is especially restrictive to a person’s mobility.

Anyone can suffer from back pain. In fact, about two-thirds of the adult population sometimes suffers from it.

The causes of back pain

Most low back pain triggers are due to changes in the structure that makes up the spine.

This can affect, among other things:

ligaments
Muscles
intervertebral discs
vertebrae

Specific factors

Back pain can result from specific causes, such as trauma, poor posture, and muscle weakness. The damage can also be due to overexertion and mechanical overload, which often causes back pain.

Non-specific factors

On the other hand, of course, the pain in your back does not have to be the result of any of the above causes.

In this case, the pain is usually more or less intense in certain poses. The pain may also get worse or better with certain physical activities.

In these cases, it is necessary to analyze various biological, social, structural and even psychological elements.

Risk Factors

1. Stress and Depression

According to several studies, both chronic pain and low back pain are associated with moods such as stress, depression and anxiety.

Although the cause of the pain is basically physical, psychological factors have been shown to have an important influence on the development and treatment of these discomforts. For this reason, it is advisable to take a break and relax.
It is necessary to maintain a good sleep schedule and include fun activities in your daily routine.

2. Age

As the years go by, the body naturally begins to wear out, including the spine and joints.

For this reason, back pain is more common in older people who usually suffer from conditions such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis.

Younger people, on the other hand, are more likely to be affected by more focused issues. Such as, for example, in the case of hernia or degenerative disease of the intervertebral discs.

3. Genetics

The pain in your back may be the result of a genetic predisposition. This is especially true for people who start experiencing symptoms of back pain and disc disease from a young age.

According to some studies, the mutated ‘carbohydrate sulfotransferase 3 (CHST3)’ gene has been found to be responsible for an up to 30% higher risk of lumbar spine degeneration.

These studies also show that if one of the parents has this gene, there is a 50% chance that the child will also have it.

For this reason, it is best to develop a healthy lifestyle and avoid vigorous exercise. If you already know about yourself that you have the gene mentioned above, then you should completely avoid weight lifting.

4. Occupational risks

The World Health Organization believes that there is a link between musculature disorders and strenuous physical exertion at work.

Activities that require a lot of effort are those that involve carrying a heavy load. This includes moving, pushing or even using machines or tools.

However, back pain can also be caused by the number of repetitions and the number of hours a day that a person is usually exposed to such exertion.

While occasional stress injuries are acute but brief, regular exposure to stress can result in chronic injuries and conditions.

Some precautions to consider in these cases include carrying heavy items close to the body and bending the knees to keep the back straight.

In addition, it is also advisable to maintain a moderate pace when performing risky activities.

5. A Sedentary Lifestyle

Woman who suffers from pain in her neck from all the sitting

Worldwide, physical inactivity increases the risk of premature death and is of course harmful to the musculoskeletal system.

It is essential to stay active because muscles maintain their functional capacity when kept in motion. This also applies to tendons and bones.

If you don’t, the biological structures will weaken and they will not have the strength to support the spine and keep the joints and ligaments stable.

Ultimately, a lack of muscle strength will increase the risk of (persistent) pain.

Yes, sometimes it’s hard to stay active, especially if you have a job that requires you to sit all day. However, taking the stairs instead of using the elevator or car less and walking instead are good strategies for increasing physical activity.

6. Bad Posture

Poor posture is one of the most common causes of back pain when there are no injuries. This is because it distributes the weight of the head disproportionately.

As a result, the muscles of the back become tense and subject to overload to keep the body in balance.

Proper posture while standing involves keeping the head, shoulders, hips, and ankles aligned.

When sitting, it is important to rest your feet on the floor. In addition, make sure that your knees are at a right angle, keep your back against the back of your chair and make sure you don’t lean forward.

In addition, it is important to twist or bend your waist as little as possible. These types of movements increase the risk of pain in your back.