Aching backs

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Backache is one of the most common medical problems, affecting 8 out of 10 people in the world at some point during their lives. It can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that leaves you unable to function.

  

Back pain can be divided into acute or chronic. Acute back pain comes on suddenly. It usually only lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Chronic back pain is backache that lasts for more than three months.  

There are some people who are more prone to having backache than others. The risk factors are: 

Age

First attack of low back pain typically occurs between age 30 and 40. Back pain  becomes more common as we age. 

How fit you are

Backache is more common among people who are not physically fit because if back and abdominal muscles are weak, they may not properly support the spine. People who exercise during weekends after being inactive all week (common habit among office workers) are more likely to suffer painful back injuries than people who exercise daily.  

Diet

A high-calorie, high-fat diet can lead to obesity, which in turn puts extra load on the back.

 

Genetic and race

Some causes of back pain actually run in families, for example, disc problems; and some races are more prone to develop certain back diseases than others. 

Occupation

Any job that necessitates lifting heavy objects (manual labourers), or pushing, pulling, twisting or vibrating the spine (drill operators) can lead to back injury. Even if one is  inactive, sitting quietly at a desk job all day like an office worker with an uncomfortable chair, this may also lead to backache.

 

Smoking

This actually increases the risk of developing low back pain because smoking blocks our body’s ability to deliver nutrients to the discs in the backbone. Repeated coughing due to smoking may also cause backache. Smokers are also generally less fit than non-smokers.  

Backache is actually a symptom of some condition and not a disease in itself.  

Some causes include:

  

Intervetebral disc degeneration

There are discs located between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine. They serve to cushion and buffer the impact of movement and shock. With age, they break down, leading to backache when they are stressed.  

Slipped disc

Also known as herniated or ruptured disc, where the hard outer layer of the discs are damaged, allowing the disc’s “jelly-like” centre to leak out and compress the spinal nerves. This causes back pain and nerve pain that radiates down the leg (called sciatica.)

 

Sprains

Tears in the ligaments of your spine, usually caused by twisting or lifting objects improperly.

 

Fractured vertebra

Many a time caused by osteoporosis. Happens quite often in older people, especially women. Also can be caused by falls or accidents. All forms of arthritis affecting the joints of the vertebra – osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and so on. 

Causes from outside the spine

Pregnancy, kidney stones, kidney infections, endometriosis.

  

Tumours in the vertebra

These are often malignant metastases (spread) from other sites where the tumour originally came from. 

Infections of the spine 

Emotional stress

It is causing the back muscles to tense up.

 

How to prevent backache

 

First of all, back pain is persistent, just go see a doctor. Once the cause is established, then it should be treated. 

To decrease the risk of getting backache, one should exercise regularly (not only on weekends). Exercises such as yoga or tai chi or weight-bearing exercises involving dumbbells to build up the back muscles are very good.  

Next, eat a healthy balanced diet. Cut down on calories and fat. Lose weight if it is over the normal range. Carrying those extra pounds can put additional strain on the back.

Take lots of calcium and vitamin D to build up bones.  

Never lift weights without support. Don’t bend the back when lifting things off the floor. Always keep the back straight and distribute the stress on the legs and hips instead.