What Can Be Causing Your Back Pain
Almost everyone has experienced back pain in one form or another. Many things can cause your back to ache. Regardless of what the cause is, one thing is certain. When back pain strikes, it can ruin your day. That is why you owe it to yourself to learn why you get back pain. If you can identify the causes, you can take measures to avoid these causes.
Sometimes, back pain can be caused by the overuse of your back muscles. If you do a lot of heavy lifting and you lift from your waist instead of from your legs, that can definitely put a strain on your back. Back muscles that are overused may start to spasm after the physical activity stops. The spasms may feel like shooting pain on your lower back, and sometimes, the pain radiates down your legs.
Back pain can be caused by injuries. Sometimes, you do not have to be engaging in physical activity to injure your back. For example, while you are sitting down, you may need to turn around to get something you need. If you twist your body around at a bad angle, you can sprain your back. You will know when you have sprained it if you feel a searing pain at your lower back and you cannot move freely without feeling the pain.
Back pain can be cause by a pinched nerve. If you have arthritis or a herniated disc, that can result in a pinched nerve. Pain from a pinched nerve can extend down your leg. By telling your doctor what part of your leg hurts, he or she can identify which specific nerve is pinched.
Poor posture comes from bad habits. When your posture is poor, your spine is not balanced beneath your head. Remember, your spine is supporting the weight of your head and upper body, which are quite heavy. When you sit up straight, your upper body is balanced and the pressure on your spine is spread evenly. However, when your posture is poor, your head will tend to lean forward. Your shoulders droop, causing you to slouch. This puts addition pressure on your lower back because your upper body is not balanced and your upper body weight is not spread evenly along your spine.
When you do not pay attention to how you bend your body, you can cause back injuries. Avoid bending from your waist when you have to pick up something. Try not to subject your body to awkward positions that can potentially strain your back.
A poor diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies. That can cause weakened muscles. When your back muscles are weak, they are more prone to injuries because they cannot support your body weight effectively. So, make sure that you are eating a healthy diet to ensure that your muscles are being properly nourished with the essential vitamins and minerals.
Back pain can be frustrating. However, if you can find out what causes your back pain, you will have a better chance in finding a treatment that can reduce or eliminate your pain.
