Are you one of those people who spend most of their working time in front of a computer? The technological progress that brings us so many advantages nowadays has a major downside. More and more people are almost hypnotized in front of their screens, causing them to have pretty sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles. And we can all relate! When you are busy or completely focused on a task, you forget to give yourself some basic care, such as eating, drinking water, going to the bathroom, and also standing up, stretching your back, or changing your sitting position. Eventually, this type of behavior will affect your health and will most likely lead to chronic pain.
If this situation seems familiar, then you are one of the 40 million Americans who deal with chronic neck pain and back pain. As incredible as it may sound, statistics show that a quarter of the American workforce suffers from back pain. Additionally, researchers think that the situation is probably much worse because many people choose to suffer in silence and avoid seeing a back pain specialist. But the good news is that you don’t have to live with neck and back pain.
In many cases, the pain you are experiencing can be very severe and it may diminish your ability to work. But keep your chin up! Your body can get rid of back pain as long as you provide it with proper treatment. Put your fears aside and go to a doctor because in most cases, back problems can be solved with a minimum effort. Keep reading to find out how to avoid missing work because of back pain and what a back specialist in Hackensack, NJ can do to help.
What is causing this pain in my back?
Back pain is one of the most common reasons among people not only for the absence from work but for seeking medical help too. It can be uncomfortable and exhausting.
It can result from daily activities, injuries, or other underlying medical conditions. Although back pain is known to affect mostly older people, it can be experienced by people of any age for various reasons. The older you get, the more chances of developing lower back pain are due to your lifestyle and previous occupation or degenerative disk disease.
Pain in the lower back is generally linked to the lumbar spine, the spinal cord and nerves, the discs between the vertebrae, the ligaments around the spine and discs, the lower back muscles, the abdominal and pelvic internal organs, etc.
Upper back pain may also be caused by spine inflammation, tumors, and even disorders of the aorta.
Common Causes Associated with Back Pain
The anatomy of the human back includes a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks, and bones, which work together to support the body and enable us to move around. The segments of the spine are protected by pads looking like cartilage, which are called disks. Any problems with these components can lead to back pain. Some back pain instances can have apparently unclear causes.
Poor posture, muscle strain, medical conditions, and other factors can cause overall spine damage.
Back pain usually stems from unresolved strains, tension, or injuries. Frequent causes of back pain include:
- strained ligaments or muscles
- muscle spasms
- muscle tension
- damage of one or more disks
- injury, fracture, or accidental falls
Activities that can lead to strains or spasms include:
- improper lifting of an object
- picking up an object that is too heavy
- making a sudden and unnatural movement
Structural problems
Several structural problems can cause severe back pain, including:
- Ruptured disc: Each vertebra is cushioned by discs. If one or more discs rupture, it will result in more pressure on a nerve, causing back pain.
- Bulging disc: Similar to the ruptured disc situation, a bulging disk can lead to more pressure on a nerve.
- Sciatica: When a bulging or herniated disc is pressing on a nerve, it may result in a sharp pain that travels down the back of the leg through the buttocks area.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause problems with the joints in the lower back, hips, and other regions of the body. In some cases, such as spinal stenosis, the space around the spinal cord becomes more and more narrow.
- Abnormal curvature of the spine: Back pain can result when the spine curves in an unnatural way. An example is scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve sideways.
- Osteoporosis: Bones, including the vertebrae of the spine, become porous and fragile, making vertebral compression fractures more likely.
- Kidney conditions: Kidney stones or kidney infection can result in back pain.
Movement and posture
Back pain can result from some daily activities or tendencies of poor posture.
Examples:
- spine twisting
- frequently coughing or sneezing
- over-stretching
- bending for long periods
- lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling something too heavy
- adopting the same position of sitting or standing for too long
- stretching the neck forward, such as when using a computer
- driving sessions without pause
- sleeping on a mattress that does not keep the spine in its natural position
Less Common Causes of Back Pain
Some underlying medical conditions can result in back pain.
- Cauda equina syndrome: The cauda equina is an extension of spinal nerve roots in the lumbar region. Symptoms include a tedious lower back and upper buttocks pain, numbness in the thighs, genitalia, and buttocks. In some cases, there also may be bladder and bowel function problems.
- Cancer of the spine: A tumor on the spine that is pressing against a nerve may be the underlying cause of back pain.
- Infection of the spine: High fever and a warm area on the back could be the signs of an infection.
- Other infections: Kidney infections, bladder, or pelvic inflammatory disease may result in back pain.
- Sleep disorders: People diagnosed with sleep disorders are more likely than others to experience back pain.
- Shingles: Depending on which nerves are affected, an infection that reaches the nerves can cause back pain.
Neck and Back Pain Risk Factors
The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing lower back pain:
- professional and daily activities
- pregnancy
- a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle
- poor physical activity
- older age
- obesity and excess weight
- smoking
- intensive physical exercise or work, especially if done incorrectly
- genetics
- medical conditions, such as arthritis and cancer
Pain in the lower back is generally known to be more common in women than in men, possibly due to hormonal factors. Stress, anxiety, and mood disorders have also been linked to back pain.
Back pain is a complex issue and that can be triggered by many possible causes. If you are suffering from debilitating back pain, you should definitely schedule an appointment with a board-certified back specialist in Hackensack, NJ. We are here to help you, so come to our state-of-the-art pain management clinics in Hackensack and get rid of that annoying back pain.
We offer minimally-invasive treatments based on your needs and preferences and we focus on helping our patients avoid surgery. So, before you start looking for an orthopedic spine surgeon, come find us in our spine care clinics, in Paramus, just off NJ-17, near the Paramus Park Mall and the Garden State Plaza Mall, in Clifton, NJ, on Route 46 E, past the Ford dealership, and in West Orange, near the Essex Country Club.
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