Written By McKenzie Jones / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

If you have ever been in a car accident where you were hit from the rear, chances are you have experience with back pain and know how uncomfortable it can be. In addition to the dull ache that you cannot get rid of, back pain can cause shooting spasms through your back as well as muscle ache and pain that can shoot down your legs.

Continue reading to discover some reasons why you may be experiencing severe back pain.

In addition to our back’s function as the foundation for good posture, having a strong back also secures the stability of the spine. That means it is essential to discover the causes of back pain before they get out of control and leave you debilitated and unable to sit or stand comfortably.

Some reasons for experiencing back pain are:

Back Muscle Strain

Back muscle strain is something that happens easily when we overstretch or tear a muscle. Muscle strains can happen anywhere in the body but are common in the back. Among the ways it happens is by reaching too far for something, fatigue, or lifting something too heavy.

When you have back muscle strain, if it is severe, you will be in a lot of pain and your movement will be limited. A severe back muscle strain can take months to heal. Some other symptoms are:

Discoloration

Limited movement

Soreness

Sudden onset of pain

Sciatica

Sciatica pain is distinguishable because it radiates down the spine or lower back area and down to the legs. It is normally caused by a herniated disc or one that has been damaged or worn down.

Some symptoms of sciatica issue are:

Pain in your butt when you sit

Severe hip pain

Weakness and numbing down leg and feet

A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand

Sciatica is fairly easy to diagnose but your doctor will want to assess you and then may take additional steps to make a diagnosis. Some of those steps may be X-rays, an MRI, and CT Scans.

Those looking for sciatica pain relief can take over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or have steroids injected among other things.

In addition to recommending bed rest for sciatica, your doctor may also suggest the following:

Physical therapy

Acupuncture

Surgery

Arthritis

The swelling and tenderness that occurs in joints are commonly known as arthritis. In the back, it is known as osteoarthritis and affects the spine.

Some common causes of osteoarthritis are:

Age

Weight

Conditions like gout, diabetes, or Lyme disease

Arthritis in the back is diagnosed after a physical exam, blood tests, an MRI, X-rays, and joint aspirations. Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor has several methods to remedy it, including steroids, prescription medications, physical therapy, or surgery.

Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease

Although the name is long, lumbar degenerative disc disease boils down to the wear and tear on the spine. The wearing down of the spine prevents the absorption of shock when moving and therefore creates lower back pain.

In addition to over-the-counter medication to help with the pain, doctors suggest patients get physical therapy to help strengthen the back muscles. Physical therapy can also reduce the frequency of flare-ups. There are other things a sufferer can do, such as making lifestyle modifications, quitting smoking, losing weight, and reducing stress.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that happens as individuals age and their bone density diminishes. In addition to causing pain, it can leave older sufferers open to falls, breaks, and severe pain.

To catch osteoporosis early, doctors suggest older patients get bone density testing done. This is usually suggested when a doctor notices a change in height (patients get shorter) or begins to experience a loss of mobility due to bone loss.

Treatment for osteoporosis typically involves lifestyle changes. In addition to diet and exercise, doctors suggest that patients increase their intake of calcium, and take a prescription medication to slow down the loss of bone.

Conclusion

X-rays have shown there are several causes for severe back pain. In addition to an accident, back injuries or diseases are a common cause for back pain. Seeing a doctor is essential because there is a lot that doctors can do to relieve back pain.

The list of causes for back pain is only a sampling of reasons you may be experiencing back pain. Therefore, it is vital to see a doctor if you are having back pain.

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Written By:

McKenzie Jones  is your typical Midwestern gal. When she is not writing or reading, she can be found training for her next half-marathon, baking something sweet, playing her guitar, or cuddled up with her golden retriever, Cooper. She loves watching football, fall weather, and long road trips.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.