Back Pain Causes

Back pain is a common reason many people miss work or seek medical attention after a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall. If you suffer from such pain, you may wonder about the cause of back pain.

People suffer from back pain for various reasons. For some, an accident at work resulted in their back pain. For others, back pain developed after they picked something heavy without properly bracing themselves. Some people develop back pain over time from degenerative disc issues.

The good news for people who experience back pain is that home exercises or carefully using their body to protect their back can sometimes promote healing within a short time. However, if the pain becomes unmanageable and is significantly interfering with your daily life, the medical professionals at Jersey Premier Pain can help you by customizing a treatment plan that fits your needs.

What Are the Common Causes of Back Pain?

The location of your back pain can assist your medical provider in determining its cause. The Cleveland Clinic reports that local back pain could be caused by arthritis, spinal stenosis, or radiculopathy, among other causes. Back pain localized in your tissues could be due to a ligament sprain, muscle strain, or muscle tightness. If you experience radiating back pain, this may be indicative of other medical issues, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, gallbladder inflammation, pancreatitis, or liver problems.

According to the Mayo Clinic, these conditions are generally linked to back pain:

• Muscle or ligament strain – Heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can result in strained spinal ligaments or muscles. Workers who perform repetitive movements in their jobs are at risk for strains or sprains that result in significant back pain.
• Arthritis – Osteoarthritis often affects the lower back. Sometimes, spinal arthritis can lead to spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord,
• Osteoporosis – This condition occurs when the patient’s bones become porous and brittle, often due to aging, resulting in the spine’s vertebrae developing painful breaks.
• Ankylosing spondylitis – This is an inflammatory disease that can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse, making the spine less flexible.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Back Pain?

Back pain can occur in a specific spot in your back, or you may have generalized pain spreading all over your back. Pain can also start in your back and radiate to other areas of your body, such as your buttocks, legs, or abdomen.  

The severity and intensity of back pain vary widely. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the type, cause, and location of the back pain you experience may include:

• Increased pain with lifting or bending
• Intermittent pain
• Increased pain when sitting or standing
• Stiffness in the morning, which decreases with activity
• Numbness in your legs or feet

While most back pain generally improves with treatment at home, you should seek medical attention for back pain if you experience the following:

• Back pain that lingers for a few weeks
• Severe pain that does not improve with rest
• Pain that spreads down your legs, especially if you experience pain below the knee
• Back pain that causes numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• Pain that is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
• Back pain that follows a fall or blow to the back 

Symptoms That Suggest a More Serious Cause of Back Pain

The Mayo Clinic advises that certain symptoms could be indicative of a more serious cause of back pain for which emergency medical care should be sought. Specifically, seek immediate medical attention for back pain that:

• Is accompanied by a fever
• Causes bowel or bladder problems
• Occurs after an accident, including a fall, strong blow to the back, or other trauma 

Call Jersey Premier Pain for Help Today

At Jersey Premier Pain, we understand how debilitating back pain can affect your quality of life. You may feel pain with every movement, or it can be more subtle but chronic. It can affect every aspect of your life, from impeding your daily activities and your ability to care for yourself to sleeping. We are dedicated to relieving our patients’ back pain.

Because everyone experiences pain differently, our team develops personalized treatment plans customized for each patient. When you contact Jersey Premier Pain, you can be confident that your providers will address your pain with a holistic approach. By understanding your pain and specific needs, we will tailor a treatment program for you. Call us today at 201-386-8800 or contact us online to learn more about the high-quality care you can expect when you work with Jersey Premier Pain.