Back Pain Information
Your back is a very complex biological construct. The series of tendons, muscles, ligaments and bones as well as other types of tissue that make up your back run from your neck all the way to your pelvis. The main feature of this is the spinal column; a grouping of bones separated by semi-flexible discs that act as a series of shock absorbers for your spine. These bones themselves act as a protective cage for your spinal cord which runs down the center of your spinal column. This system allows you a great deal of flexibility while continuing to protect you from severe spinal injury that could be caused by a bump or fall.
This system does have its drawbacks however. If one of the vertebral bones that protect your spinal cord slips out of place you could face a great deal of pain. Once out of alignment the bones can rub against each other or even compress any of the various nerves that connect to the spinal cord through the spine itself. This is one form that back pain can take. It can be a very intense sort or pain or it can be more of a dull ache. This will depend mainly on the amount of compression that is going on at the sight of the slipped vertebrae.
The discs in the back are vulnerable to injury as well. Just like a shock absorber on a vehicle these can wear out over time and the bones will be allowed to contact causing much pain. The discs may also slip out of place or the sides of one may weaken allowing it to bulge out of alignment with the spine. Any of these can allow the spine to be compressed in an unnatural manner and can lead to a good deal of pain. Another factor working against your back is gravity. In order for you to walk upright your back must be able to counteract gravity’s effects. This can put a good deal of strain on the ligaments and muscles that help to support your back and can lead to back pain as well.
Back pain is not limited to one area of the back. It can occur in the lower, middle or upper back. It is most often experienced, however, in the lower back. While it can originate from the ligaments and bones or the tendons and muscles of the back it may also originate from the nerves that run to and from the spinal cord or even from your internal organs. The intensity of back pain can vary greatly depending on the sufferer and the type of injury they have had. It can be just mildly annoying to down right excruciating.
The length of time that the back pain lasts is what will determine what it is categorized as. Acute back pain is usually cause by a sudden injury and may only last a short time. It is usually rather intense as well. Chronic back pain is normally less severe. It does last much longer than acute and can come and go or change in intensity over time. Acute back pain will last from a couple days to a few weeks and will gradually improve as time goes on. Chronic back pain can last three months or more and may even get worse as it goes.
Age related back pain strikes men and women alike and normally begins between forty and sixty years of age. This can be mainly attributed to the increased likelihood of spinal degeneration or disc disease that comes along with the aging process. Obesity, smoking, high risk occupations and a sedentary lifestyle can all increase the risk of back pain as well.