Back Pain: How to Keep Your Spine in Line with Physical Therapy and High-Tech Treatments

Back pain from a pulled muscle or ligament can sometimes cause tightness and spasms. Lifting boxes or heavy objects, working out and even sleeping in an awkward position can lead to a sore back. Often this means that you may have strained or sprained one of the many muscles and tendons in your back. 

Prolonged sitting or standing with improper posture can put strain on the muscles and ligaments in the back, leading to chronic back pain. Slouching, hunching over a desk, or standing with an arched lower back can contribute to postural-related back pain.

The intervertebral discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in the spine. When the soft inner material of a disc protrudes or ruptures through the outer layer, it can compress nearby nerves, resulting in back pain. Herniated discs often occur due to age-related degeneration or injury.

As we age, the intervertebral discs in the spine may lose moisture and elasticity, leading to degenerative disc disease. This condition can cause back pain and stiffness, especially in the lower back. And as we age, Arthritis can affect joints of your vertebrae. Arthritis pain is often associated with stiffness and swelling.

Spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This narrowing is often a result of age-related changes in the spine and can cause back pain, as well as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs (Sciatica) 

Accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries can cause back pain. Fractures, sprains, or strains resulting from such incidents can lead to acute or chronic back pain, depending on the severity.

Certain lifestyle choices can contribute to back pain. Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on the spine, as does smoking, which reduces blood flow to the spinal tissues and slows down the healing process.