Everyone will experience some form of back pain throughout their lives. However, chronic or frequent pain can be debilitating and keep you from doing the activities you love. Take a look at the most common causes and what you can do to minimize your risk. 

What Are the Most Common Reasons for Back Pain?

1. Sprain

A sprained back is caused by a stretched or torn ligament. Typically, this might occur if you fall or twist your back suddenly. You might be more prone to sprains if you have weak abdominal muscles. However, you can strengthen your core by exercising more often. Choose workouts that focus on your abs, which will help the muscles around your spine and improve your posture as well.  

2. Muscle Strain

Similar to a sprain, strains occur when the muscles or tendons are over-stretched. You might experience this as acute back pain if you don't lift a heavy item correctly or you injure yourself while playing sports or working out. 

A chronic strain, on the other hand, is often due to repetitive or prolonged injuries. For instance, if you frequently do heavy lifting at work or don't sit correctly at a desk, you could be repeatedly straining your back muscles. 

Always make sure you lift from your knees, and if you workout or play sports, warmup your muscles beforehand to reduce the chances of injury. 

3. Herniated or Ruptured Disks

The disks in your spine act as cushions to protect the vertebrae. Having a herniated disk is when it becomes swollen, ruptured, or compressed, and it can be very painful if it pinches a nerve. This type of back pain is more common as people age because the disks weaken from gradual wear and tear over the years. A simple sprain or twist can rupture the disk. 

4. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it occurs when the spinal cartilage deteriorates and the bones end up rubbing against one another. This leads to inflammation of the entire joint, causing back pain and stiffness and limiting your range of motion. Bone spurs and localized swelling and tenderness may also develop. 

5. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the quality of the bone structure. However, it's known as a silent disease because you may not experience any symptoms until the disease advances. Your bones will become more brittle, making it easy to fracture a bone. While some people associate osteoporisis with broken hips and limbs, you can fracture your spine, which would cause lower back pain. 

If you’re experiencing back pain, visit the experts at Midway Pointe Chiropractic in Elyria, OH, for an assessment. Their approach is to address the root causes of any problems you’re experiencing to help you reduce chronic pain. Dr. Schaffer utilizes massage therapy techniques in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments. Visit the clinic online to learn more about their services, and call (440) 324-2040 to set up an appointment.