The origin of the back problem can be caused at work, sports, housework, that is, in our day today. Or also, of course, after some accident.

The back comprises bones, joints, muscles, and other tissues that extend from the neck to the pelvis. That is, we could divide the back into:

• Upper and middle back: Generally speaking, back pain in this area is often related to poor muscle fitness and poor posture. However, there can also be other causes, such as traumatic injury, muscle overexertion, osteoarthritis, etc. Therefore, the opinion of a physiotherapist is always necessary.

• Lower back: Back injuries often occur in this area, as it supports most of the upper body’s weight. It is a very common lumbar injury due to overexertion.

What are the causes of back injuries?

If back injuries are characterized by something, it is by the limitation of movement due to the pain they manifest. In most of these injuries, the origins can be:

• Poor posture habits are acquired throughout our lives
• Leading a sedentary life that does not allow the muscles of the area to develop properly
• Obesity, due to the excessive weight that our back must support
• Genetic factors
• Anxiety or stress that can generate excessive tension

Most common back injuries:

Among the most common back injuries, and that we mostly find in our chiropractic consultations, are (But not limited to):

• Muscle Contractions

Generally produced by overexertion, poor posture maintained, stress, emotional tension, etc.

• Sprain Or Muscle Strain

In the case of sprains, the cause is excessive stretching or tearing of the ligaments. However, when we talk about muscle strains, the damage occurs in the tendon or muscle.

• Lumbago Or Lumbalgia (lower back)

It is a pain in the lower back area. It is an intense pain caused by damage to the vertebrae and/or intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, or nerves. It is estimated that eight out of ten people have suffered or will suffer an episode of low back pain at some point in their lives. It is characteristic of being a chronic and acute pain in specific body points, concentrating in the muscles and affecting the spine.

Mostly, it is a type of back pain caused by poor posture or overexertion.

• Neck Pain (or Cervicalgia)

This is back pain located in the cervical (upper part). It can be due to an injury, a muscular or mechanical problem, a pinched nerve, or cervicoartrosis.

• Sciatica Nerve Pain

Sciatica is a form of radiculopathy caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Sharp, burning-like pain in the lower back that travels from the buttocks, down the leg, and sometimes to the foot.

When the nerve is severely compromised, it can also cause numbness and muscle weakness in the leg. Sciatica is a fairly disabling type of back pain that prevents one from bending over or walking normally.

• Disc Herniation

It occurs when a part, or the entire central part, of an intervertebral disc wears out, loses its shock-absorbing capacity, and displaces by pressing on the surrounding structures.

Typically, a herniated disc manifests with pain in the back and/or legs.

It is the lateral deviation of the spine in the form of an “S” produced because the vertebrae rotate on themselves. It can be due to a congenital problem or develop with growth.

In the case of disc herniation, one of the most recommended methods to improve the patient’s quality of life is Pilates.

It does not usually cause pain until adulthood.

• Spinal Arthritis (Vertebral Arthrosis)

It is a natural wear of the intervertebral discs, which may or may not cause pain, but it does cause deformity. The leading cause is advancing age, but it can also result from daily activities.

• Osteoporosis

Back pain caused by a metabolic bone disease characterized by a progressive decrease in density and strength that can lead to fracture of the vertebrae.

• Spinal Stenosis

It is a spinal canal narrowing that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and can cause pain or numbness when walking and eventually leg weakness and sensory loss. A traumatic injury. Those caused by sports or accidents can injure tendons, ligaments, muscles. A traumatic injury can also cause an intervertebral disc to rupture or hernia and pressure any nerves.

• Inflammatory Joint Diseases

Among them, we can highlight arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondylitis, etc.

• Infections

They are not common. If they occur, they can affect the vertebrae (osteomyelitis), the intervertebral discs (discitis), or the sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis), causing pain.

• Tumors

Tumors sometimes start in the back, but they appear due to metastatic cancer more often.

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

It occurs when the large blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally enlarged. Low back pain may signify that the aneurysm is widening, and you should assess the risk of rupture.

These are just some of the back injuries that one can suffer; there are many other possible injuries. Therefore, when the pain persists, you should always go to a professional who knows how to assess and diagnose your case to find the best solution.