It's hard to find someone in our daily lives who hasn't said, "Oh... my back hurts," right? For some, this is a minor pain that comes and goes, but for others, it's a lifelong problem. This back pain can occur while sitting in an office chair, lifting weights, or even when getting up in the morning. So why is this back pain so common? Let's talk about the main causes of this one by one.
The most common causes of back pain
Simply put, there are many causes of back pain. The vertebrae that make up our spine, the muscles and other tissues that surround them, can wear down with age or overuse . Injuries from accidents, falls, etc. are also a major cause of back pain.
Additionally, back pain can be caused by certain autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation of the spine, as a symptom of certain diseases such as cancer, and by certain infectious conditions.
Our back can be divided into three main parts. They are the upper back, the middle back, and the lower back. While many conditions can affect all three parts, some conditions affect only one part in particular.
Causes of Upper Back Pain
The vertebrae in our neck and upper back come together to form the cervical spine. Here are some of the main causes of pain in this area.
- Poor Posture: Your spine can do its job properly when you are sitting or standing straight. But when you are hunched over, it puts more pressure on some of the joints in your back, which can cause pain and pinching of nerves. Sitting in the same position for a long time can also cause back pain. Especially when working with a computer, if your chair is too low, you have to lift your head to look at the screen. This posture is also called "poking chin." This can cause pain in the upper back, neck, and shoulders.
- Muscle Strain and Sprains: When you bend or twist, the muscles, tendons (tissues that connect muscles to bones), and ligaments (tissues that connect bones to each other) in our back are all working together. When these tissues are pulled or torn during exercise or lifting, pain occurs.
- Spinal Stenosis: There is a narrowing of the spinal canal along our spine. The spinal cord runs through this canal. This narrowing is called `Spinal Stenosis`. Although it can also affect the upper back, it is mainly a problem that occurs in the lower back.
- Degenerative Disk Disease: There is a cushion-like tissue between the vertebrae in our spine. We call these discs. They are like the shock absorbers of a car. As we age, these discs dry out and shrink. Then their effectiveness decreases. This condition is called `Degenerative Disk Disease`. When these cushions wear out, the vertebrae start to rub against each other, causing pain.
- Cervical radiculopathy : As the name suggests, this is a problem related to the cervical spine (the spine in the neck). When a nerve root in this part of the spine becomes compressed, it can cause severe pain. While accidents and disc herniations are common causes in younger people, conditions such as disc degeneration and arthritis are more common in older people.
If you feel pain in your upper back when you breathe, it's likely due to something as simple as a pulled muscle. However, if the pain lasts for more than a week or is unbearable, you should definitely see a doctor . Very rarely, back and chest pain can also be caused by problems with your lungs.
Causes of Middle Back Pain
Your middle back is called the thoracic spine. Although some pain conditions are less common in this area, problems can still occur here.
- Compression Fractures: Like any bone, your vertebrae can break. Compression fractures are small cracks or breaks in the vertebrae. They most commonly occur in the mid-back. This can cause sudden back pain, especially when moving. They can be caused by accidents, but osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones, is also a major cause.
- Psychological Stress: When you are very anxious or scared, changes in your breathing patterns can cause pressure and tension in the muscles of your mid-back. You may also unconsciously tighten your shoulder muscles, which can lead to upper back and neck pain.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
The lower back, or lumbar spine, carries the most weight of your body. That's why over 80% of people experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.
- Herniated disk : If the outer covering of the rubbery disc between the vertebrae we talked about earlier cracks or tears, the material inside (nucleus) can leak out. Sometimes there may be no symptoms. However, if it puts pressure on the spinal canal and nerves, it can cause pain, weakness, and numbness . This is also called a "ruptured disk", "bulging disk" or "slipped disk". In our country, this is known as a "slipped disk".
- Spinal Stenosis: This is a very common condition in the lower back. This narrowing of the spinal canal can cause pain, numbness, weakness, and a "pins and needles" sensation when the spinal cord is compressed. Lumbar spinal stenosis is the leading cause of back surgery in people over the age of 65.
- Sciatica: While some people use this name for any type of back pain, sciatica is a specific type of pain. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in our body. It runs from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, to the knees. Other back problems, such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis, can cause this nerve to become compressed or inflamed. This can cause pain and weakness that radiates from the lower back down the legs .
- Smoking: If you smoke, this is another reason to quit. Although scientists aren't sure why, studies have shown that smokers are about 30% more likely to develop back pain. It's possible that smoking damages the tissues in the lower back, reducing the amount of nutrients and blood flow to the body.
- Obesity: As body weight increases, the pressure on the protective discs between the vertebrae increases. One study found that obese people are four times more likely to suffer from disc degeneration than non-obese people.
- Lack of exercise: Lack of physical activity weakens your core muscles, increasing your risk of back injury and aggravating pain. Walking briskly for 30-60 minutes a day is a good solution for lower back pain.
Does kidney disease cause lower back pain?
If you have lower back pain, it's unlikely to be due to a kidney problem. Some kidney problems, such as kidney stones and infections, can cause back pain. But the pain is usually felt a little higher up . However, if you have persistent back pain, be sure to see a doctor.
When to seek immediate medical advice
Although back pain often resolves on its own, in some cases it is essential to seek medical advice. Be especially aware of the following symptoms.
| Symptoms to watch out for |
|---|
| Severe pain lasting more than a week. |
| Pain after an accident (e.g. fall, car accident). (In this case, go to the ETU immediately) |
| Difficulty or inability to control bowel and bladder control. |
| Weight loss without any reason. |
| Back pain accompanied by pain in other body parts, such as the legs. |
| Back pain accompanied by numbness or a tingling sensation. |
| Waking up at night due to pain. |
| Fever with pain. |
How to avoid back pain?
If you suffer from frequent back pain, try these simple tips.
- Do muscle strengthening and stretching exercises at least two days a week.
- When sitting on a chair or sofa , sit up straight, not slouching . The same goes for standing.
- When lifting a weight, learn to lift it without straining your back. Keep your back straight, bend your knees, and lift the weight with your legs.
- Control your body weight .
There are many causes of back pain. Some are simple, some are a little more complex. It's best to find out exactly what's causing your pain. So, if your back pain persists, don't ignore it and see your family doctor for advice. He or she will be able to diagnose the cause of your pain and provide you with the most appropriate treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Back pain is a very common condition. Many factors can contribute to it, including aging, poor posture, accidents, and obesity.
- Your back pain can occur anywhere in your upper, middle, or lower back. There are specific causes for each location.
- Back pain can be prevented by maintaining proper posture, exercising regularly , and controlling your weight.
- If the pain lasts for more than a week, occurs after an accident, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, numbness, or difficulty controlling bowel/urine functions, see a doctor immediately .
- It is very important to know the exact cause of back pain and treat it. Therefore, do not resort to self-treatment and seek the advice of a doctor.
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