Back Pain

Back pain can be an extremely debilitating condition when it is experienced consistently. It should be noted that occasional back pain is common for most adults, with studies showing that 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. Short-term back pain can simply indicate the need to work on acquiring better posture, sitting in a more comfortable chair at work or sleeping in a proper position, with proper bedding. Chronic back pain, however, could be symptomatic of a serious problem and should be treated with caution.

The spinal column is an essential part of bodily structure and makes all upper body movements possible. Without a healthy backbone, even just sitting still can cause excruciating pain. Fortunately, most back pain (acute pain) resolves itself within a few days to six weeks. But if pain continues for more than three months, this signifies that you are suffering from a chronic condition.

The average person is born with 33 vertebrae, but by the time they are adults some of these vertebrae have become fused, leaving most healthy adults with 24 in total. The flexibility and structure of the spinal column is extremely important to proper body functioning. The backbone is designed to protect the spinal cord which communicates the brain with the bones, ligaments and muscles of the body. Through this "connection highway" all mobility of the head, neck, arms, trunk and legs are made possible. When the spinal column suffers a trauma or becomes damaged in anyway, body mobility and sensation can come into risk.

Lower back pain can sometimes originate with muscle trauma or nerve complications. Muscle trauma or problems in the nervous system can work its way from other regions of the body and eventually attack the lower back area. Infections, inflammations and congenital disorders can also cause lower back pain.

Psychological or emotional disruptions such as stress, anger, anxiety and depression might also set off lower back pain and be a factor in its duration. These causes can be mistaken for a physical problem and can sometimes lead to needless surgeries.

Physical problems are usually broken into a variety of categories: mechanical, infectious and developmental disorders. Mechanical pains are due to pain caused by mobility of the spinal column; a slipped disc or damage to a joint or ligament. Infectious or inflammatory disorders are due to infections that, if treatment is long in coming, can ultimately cause severe complications. Finally, developmental disorders deal with abnormal growth of the spinal column and usually require surgery.

Back pain can be incredibly crippling due to the fundamental importance of the spinal column. If this essential bodily framework becomes damaged, infected, inflamed or traumatized psychologically, severe consequences may ensue. Although some back pain is fairly normal in most adults, extreme pain or chronic problems should be diagnosed and treated properly.