The Cycle of Chronic Back Pain
For many, lower back pain is an unfortunate reality, but why? Let's discuss the anatomy of our back and the common causes of this widespread condition.It's time to get to the bottom of the cycle of chronic back pain; read more in our latest blog!
The Anatomy of The Back
Our back is a crucial yet often overlooked part of our body, and it can make life uncomfortable when something goes wrong. To comprehend chronic back pain, you must first become familiar with the anatomy of your own back.
The back is a complex network of bones, muscles, and ligaments that allow us to stand upright and move comfortably. At the center of it sits the spine, consisting of 33 individual vertebrae stacked atop one another. Eight of these vertebrae are in the lumbar region, often called the low back. While 12 can be found in the thoracic spine, seven comprise the cervical spine. Sitting between each vertebra are joints that form a hinge-like connection and offer our body flexibility.Ligaments join the bones from both sides while muscles flow up, down, and around the spine like rivers; these muscles play a critical role in keeping us balanced. However, if these muscles aren't working correctly, it can result in pain. As we age, so does the prevalence of back pain due to muscle strain, obesity, and even merely sleeping in the wrong position.
Acute Vs. Chronic Back Pain
Whether it's acute or chronic, back pain is no joke. Yet, it is important to note that there is a distinction between the two. Acute back pain will often come as quickly as it may go. While the pain is present, it is primarily on a short-term basis. Whereas back pain occurring for over three months is referred to as a chronic condition seeing as it is an ongoing or lingering issue. Although they're similar in their physical symptoms, such as dull and persistent aches, they can have drastically different underlying causes and treatments. What many people might view as 'just back pain' could very well be chronic or intermittent pressure on the spine leading to many other problems.
Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain
While chronic back pain may seem like an age-old problem with no solution, many causes can be addressed. When it comes to chronic conditions of the back, the leading culprits tend to be:
-Compression fractures
-Herniated disks
-Joint damage due to degenerative arthritis
-Scoliosis
Other factors, such as poor posture, too much sitting or standing, excessive lifting, or repetitive motions, can also gradually lead to chronic back pain. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all solution. However, understanding and recognizing the source of your discomfort in each situation can lead you down the right path toward alleviating it. The earlier chronic back pain is diagnosed, the sooner you maybe able to put this pain where it belongs; behind you.
Break the cycle of chronic back pain. Be proactive about your health, and consider enrolling in back pain studies today. Visit our website or contact us at our toll-free number, 888-478-8343, for more details today!
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539746/
