As you get older, you might consider aches and pains to simply be a part of life. But, that isn’t always true. If you find yourself constantly struggling with back pain, it could be a sign of something more serious going on.
There are a variety of different factors that can contribute to back pain. Knowing what might be causing yours can help you to take positive steps toward treating it. If you’re trying to focus on your health and improve it, no matter your age or current fitness level, don’t leave out the health of your spine.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few common causes of back pain and how you can fix these issues before they become worse.
You’re Doing Too Much
One of the most common causes of a back problem is pulling a muscle or tendon. Whether you have an active job, you’re doing a weekend project that requires heavy lifting, or you just turned the wrong way at the gym, damaging your muscles by doing too much happens more often than you might think.
Even sleeping in a strange position can contribute to muscle aches or pulling a tendon. Make sure to take things slowly, and only lift what you’re truly comfortable with. Focus on the health of your spine and your muscles before you try to bite off more than you can chew.
Poor Posture
Do you sit at a desk most of the day? Have you ever paid attention to your posture? Poor posture or slouching can put unnecessary stress on your spine, causing your lower back to ache. It can also cause pain in your neck and shoulders.
Additionally, slouching frequently can lead to long-term damage like spinal dysfunction. In those cases, you may end up needing to see a back specialist or go to a rehab center for pain (ssprehab.com.au) in order to find relief.
Osteoporosis
If you’ve noticed that your back pain seems to get worse as you get older, you might be dealing with the effects of Osteoporosis. This is a condition that causes your bone mass to decrease, especially with age. While this is significantly more common with women than men, it is still an important issue for men to consider as well.
With reduced bone mass, you’re at a greater risk of stress on your spine and hips. It’s also easier to fracture or break a bone, so it’s incredibly important to take it easy and keep your bones as healthy as possible. Talking to your doctor about treatments for Osteoporosis is a great way to be proactive about your bone health.
Inflammation
Inflammation can be a natural thing. It works as a part of your body’s immune response when something isn’t right. But, inflammation can also cause a lot of pain, especially in your lower back and the muscles in your neck and shoulders. If you were injured and experienced inflammation, pay attention to whether that inflammation is going away. In some cases, it can linger, causing a lot of excess pain around your back.
These common factors are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what could be causing your back pain. If you’re looking for relief, consider some of these ideas, or talk to your doctor about any other underlying issues that could be contributing to your pain. The sooner you find out the cause, the sooner you can effectively treat it.
