QUESTION: I always thought low back pain was caused by arthritis.
Is this true or not?
ANSWER: Back pain can certainly be caused by joints that have developed arthritis, but there are many other possible causes as well.
One of the most common is the overstretching or tearing of the back's sensitive muscles and ligaments which can make twisting and bending very painful.
Muscle weakness is another common cause.
Back muscles become weak from lack of exercise, making them less effective in resisting the pull of the body's weight on the backbone. Posture is another possible source.
If a person's center of gravity is too far forward or backward, that person will tend to lean forward or backward to maintain their balance.
Trying to compensate for bad posture can lead to spinal problems that result in severe back pain. Herniated discs and osteoporosis are other possible contributors.
The abnormal loss of bone density caused by osteoporosis can have terribly painful effects on the back, and if a disc bulges enough to impinge on a nerve, severe back pain can result. Intestinal disorders, kidney stones, and various other internal illnesses can produce back pain as an early symptom.
If back pain persists or is accompanied by an inability to urinate, it's time for professional help. Emotional stress can produce muscle tension and spasms which will aggravate backaches as well, even if they aren't a direct cause in themselves. In many cases where patients are suffering from back pain, the cause cannot be definitely determined.
However, in most instances, these patients get better on their own and surgery is rarely required.
Therefore, I'd suggest that if anyone is suffering from continued back pain, they should see a doctor for advice.
Exercise to strengthen the back muscles may relieve the pain and restricting certain activities that aggravate the pain will be helpful as well.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
