Back Pain Causes
Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people have to miss time from work or school. In fact, it is the leading cause of disability in the United States. This is why people need to seek the help of back doctors Jacksonville FL. When it comes to back pain, there are a few common causes that everyone must note.
Paraspinal Muscle Tenderness
This is, arguably, the most common cause of back pain. This is usually a dull, aching feeling that people have in their back. This is common in people who have poor posture while working or going to school. This can also lead to back pain following sports. This is called an overuse injury. When someone has paraspinal muscle tenderness, they feel pain on the sides of their lower back, meaning this pain is on either side of the spinal cord. It should not be located on top of the vertebrae themselves. There are several treatment options for this type of back pain; however, most people start with rest, ice, and heat.
A Pinched Nerve
This is another common cause of back pain. If someone has a pinched nerve, they usually feel a shooting pain that travels from the back somewhere else. Nerves carry motor commands and sensory signals throughout the body. In some cases, nerves might be compressed. When the nerve is compressed, it becomes irritated. This leads to the shooting pains that people often feel. The treatment of a pinched nerve (commonly called a stinger) is to alleviate the compression somehow. Treatment might involve massage, ice, and medications.
A Herniated Disc
Also called a bulging disc, this is another common cause of back pain. The discs in the back separate the vertebrae, acting as cushions that prevent the vertebrae from pressing down on each other (or nerves). Sometimes, a bulging disc develops due to a chronic medical condition, such as degenerative disc disease. In other cases, a herniated disc could develop due to an acute accident, such as a car crash. Some people who have a herniated disc need to have surgery; however, this is not universal.
Work with an Experienced Back Doctor
It is important for everyone suffering from back pain to seek the care of a trained medical professional. It is critical to take a well-rounded approach to the treatment of back pain. The earlier treatment starts, the more effective it will be.