Low Back Pain

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), low back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability. At least 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain in their lifetime. Most low back pain is the result of an injury, such as muscle sprains or strains due to sudden movements or poor body mechanics while lifting heavy objects. Low back pain can also be the result of certain diseases, such as: cancer of the spinal cord, a ruptured or herniated disc, sciatica Arthritis, kidney infections & infections of the spine.

Acute back pain can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, while chronic back pain is pain that lasts longer than three months. Low back pain is more likely to occur in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50. This is partly due to the changes that occur in the body with aging. As you grow older, there’s a reduction in the fluid content between the vertebrae in the spine. This means discs in the spine experience irritation more easily. You also lose some muscle tone, which makes the back more prone to injury. This is why strengthening your back muscles and using good body mechanics are helpful in preventing low back pain.

The causes of low back pain are strains, disc injury, sciatica, spinal stenosis, abnormal spine curvatures, as well as other conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia & spondylitis. Although aging is the primary cause of the condition, the location and rate of degeneration is specific to the individual.