If you have back pain, you’re not alone. Statistics indicate approximately 80 percent of American adults will suffer from back pain during their lives. Even more shocking, around six million U.S adults suffer from chronic back pain. But what are the most common causes of this back pain? At Enlighten Chiropractic, serving Lakeville, MN, and the nearby region, we have the answer. And we can even help!
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc occurs when one of the sensitive discs in your back develops a tear in its shell. As a result, the contents of the disc may seep and irritate the surrounding nerves and soft tissue.
Most people develop a herniated disc as a result of gradual wear and tear on the discs. This is because as you age, your discs become less hydrated and lose flexibility. As a result, they’re more prone to injury.
Often, disc herniation occurs when you lift a heavy object or twist in an odd direction. You’re more prone to disc herniated if you have a strenuous job, are overweight, smoke, or have job where you’re seated for prolonged periods.
Bulging Disc
A bulging disc is less likely to cause pain than a herniated one. However, it is possible. As you age, the outer shell of your spinal discs weaken. Consequently, the contents of the disc pushes against that weakened shell and causes the disc to bulge. The enlarged disc then places pressure on the surrounding nerves. Since it usually doesn’t bulge much, it often doesn’t cause pain.
Arthritis
Arthritis affects around 24 percent of the American adult population, which is nearly 60 million people. Osteoarthritis is the most common form and is the variety that affects the spinal joints most often. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage at the end of the bones – which is meant to protect the bone – wears down. Because of this, your bones then grind against one another. Keep in mind that other forms of arthritis can affect the back as well, including axial spondylarthritis – a form that affects the sacroiliac joints.
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis typically won’t cause pain. When it’s more severe, though, it may cause fractures and other issues that are known to contribute to pain. In general, the pain becomes more severe as you age. This issue is also more common in women than men since women tend to lose bone mass after menopause.
Strain
Another common cause of back pain is a muscle or tendon sprain. This injury arises when you overstretch the soft tissue. In some cases, the entire muscle or tendon will tear, which is known as a complete tear. With a strain, you may experience pain along with muscle spasms and weakness. You could suffer from an acute strain – an injury that occurs when one event causes a muscle to tendon to tear suddenly. On the other hand, you could have a chronic strain – an injury that happens from repetitive stress on the muscle or tendon.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, often affecting the back. In fact, nearly half of all people with chronic lower back pain have fibromyalgia. Bear in mind, sometimes the pain is a co-occurring condition that’s more common with fibromyalgia sufferers, like degenerative disc disease.
Any of the aforementioned problems could be the cause of your back pain. That’s not considering that other conditions can lead to back pain as well. At Enlighten Chiropractic, our Lakeville chiropractor’s goal is to determine the cause of your pain and discomfort and help you recover, manage the symptoms, or slow the progression of your condition. Therefore, a chiropractor at Lakeville, MN, from our practice can treat all these causes of back pain and more.
Book an appointment for help with your back pain by calling Enlighten Chiropractic, serving Lakeville, MN, and the nearby region, at 952-232-1935. You may also use our contact form.
