Look at the possible factors involved in back problems and back pain. Those listed here are just the tip of the back pain iceberg. Given the right conditions, any physical activity can bring on a back attack. Indeed, merely sitting, standing, or sleeping the wrong way can elicit back trouble.
No wonder eight out of ten persons suffer significant back pain at least once in their lifetime. For many, untreated back trouble becomes a permanent fixture.
But few back pain factors stand alone. Nearly all are interrelated with several factors, and while many other maladies can be far more menacing, few surpass back pain’s ability to utterly incapacitate an otherwise healthy man, woman or child.
Out of desperation many back pain victims find chiropractic for the first time, and that’s good. Otherwise many would have to live with chronic back pain the rest of their lives. And that’s bad.
PINCHED NERVES
Nerves exit between vertebras and fan out to all parts of the body, thus supplying vital nerve energy everywhere. When vertebras become misaligned they may pinch spinal nerves and alter normal nerve impulses. This can bring pain and serious trouble to the back as well as other bodily parts, organs, and glands served by the affected nerves.
LOW BACK PAIN
Many low back problems stem from simple, everyday stresses on stomach or back muscles and the ligaments designed to give the spine stability and to hold the vertebras in proper alignment. Falls, whiplash, sports injuries, and work injuries bring on many low back attacks, too.
It’s estimated that on any day about 6.5 million Americans take treatment of some kind for back pain.
SHORT LEG SYNDROME
One leg being functionally shorter than the other often sets the stage for other troubles including arthritis, spinal curvature, back pain, and a host of other painful and disabling ailments.
WHIPLASH INJURY
Neck injury is brought about by sudden acceleration or deceleration of the body that snaps the head and neck forward, backward, or to the side. An automobile rear-end collision is the most frequent whiplash event, but falls can do it, too.
FALLS
A primary cause of neck, back, leg, arm, and hip injury and pain.
SWAYBACK
An exaggeration of the lower spine’s inward curve throws an awkward mechanical stress on spinal ligaments, back muscles, and vertebras. Sometimes spinal nerves get pinched.
SCOLIOSIS
An abnormal curvature of the spine that usually shows up (if it’s going to) during adolescence. More common than people realize.
INCORRECT LIFTING
The additional stress on the back when lifting the wrong way injures countless backs at work and at home.
REPETITIVE STRESS SYNDROME – COMMONLY CALLED “OVERUSE INJURY”
Almost any ongoing, repetitive irritation, stress, strain, sprain, physical tension, prolonged tautness, or pressure can produce overuse injury.
SCIATICA
Usually displays excruciating pain, numbness, or tingling along the course of the sciatic nerve beginning in the lower spine. May continue all the way down the leg into the foot.
SLIPPED DISC
Sometimes a spinal disc herniates or bulges and presses or pinches nearby spinal nerves. Usually exhibits great pain, sometimes so intense it disables its victim.
BAD MATTRESS
By exerting undue stress on the back’s muscles, ligaments, and vertebras, a poor mattress brings on back pain, back problems, and other health problems.
POOR POSTURE
Puts injurious strain on back muscles and ligaments and is a major cause of back problems and pain.
SPORTS AND WORK INJURIES
Prime producers of back troubles as well as other bodily problems.
ARM AND SHOULDER PAIN
Underlying cause is often misaligned spinal bones pinching spinal nerves serving the arm and shoulder.
REFERRED PAIN
Trouble in the back often sends pain to other areas of the body (referred pain). Conversely, trouble in the body often shows up as pain in the back.
BETWEEN SHOULDERS PAIN
Often a nagging, irritating pain which frequently becomes chronic.
SPINAL WEAKNESS
May be a weakness victim was born with. May be the result of an injury or both.
OTHER DIRECT CAUSES OF BACK PAIN
Overweight; sprawling in front of TV; poor sitting posture; insufficient regular exercise; sleeping on stomach. To name but a few.