from the offices of Todd Kuether, MD

17 Common and

Not-So-Common

Causes of Back Pain

...you have plenty of company. At least 80

percent of Americans will feel back pain at

some point in their lives, and most won’t do

anything about it― maybe take an over-the-

counter pain reliever. It’s not until the pain

becomes excruciating or doesn’t go away that

we wonder if something might actually be

wrong. In the following slides we’ll discuss the

common and not-so-common causes for your

back pain. And remember; never hesitate to

consult a physician for the proper treatment.

If you’re suffering from back pain...

The majority of people’s back pain is typically caused by one of the

following:

Spinal Mechanics. The most common type of back pain involves a

problem in the mechanics of one’s back. Any kind of failure or

misalignment of the spinal bones, discs, joints, ligaments or nerves can

cause pain. Common injuries include bulging, herniated and “slipped”

discs.

Sprains or strains. The most frequently reported type of mechanical

back injury is a sprained or strained muscle or tendon. This can be

caused by overexertion, accidents, or poor posture.

Sciatica. Another very common cause of back pain is a compressed

nerve in the lower back, leading to symptoms of Sciatica. Those

symptoms include sharp, shooting pains that travel from the lower back

down through the buttocks and into the legs. Other sensations may

include numbness and tingling.

Common Causes

While overexertion or an accident can lead to back pain, there are many other health conditions that

list back pain as a symptom (listed below). In some cases there may be no clearly identifiable cause at

all.

Aging. As you age, your discs may degenerate, which can cause pain on its own and also put painful

pressure on the nerves that weave through your spine. Disc degeneration and other age-related spinal

problems are the most common cause for back pain among middle-aged people. Patients can seek

relief through a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatments, including spinal decompression, spinal

fusions, and disc replacements.

A Symptom of Underlying Conditions

Arthritis. Characterized by pain and stiffness in the joints,

arthritis can have quite severe effects on the spine, which

consist of 12 small joints. Arthritis of the spine can also lead to

spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal cord.

Misalignment of the spine. Some people have back pain

caused by Scoliosis, which occurs when the spine curves in an

irregular or exaggerated way.

Osteoporosis. Your spinal bones are more susceptible to injury

and pain when you have osteoporosis, a condition in which

the bones become brittle and fragile due to loss of calcium

and other minerals.

Being overweight or obese. Back pain can also be caused by

the constant skeletal stress of carrying excess body weight.

Underlying Conditions Cont.

There are underlying health conditions which aren’t spinal related

that can cause lower back pain. Women often suffer back pain

during pregnancy. If you have a bladder infection, kidney

condition, or abnormalities in the reproductive system, you may

suffer from mild to severe lumbar discomfort.

In rare cases, back pain can be symptomatic of a serious ailment

like a tumor or infection. These types of conditions would

obviously come with other symptoms like fever, nausea, or weight

loss.

A serious neurological condition called cauda equina syndrome

results from acute loss of function of the bundle of nerve roots of

the spinal cord. It causes weakness and numbness in the legs and

groin area, loss of bladder or bowel control, and subsequent back

pain.

Other Conditions That Can

Lead to Back Pain

The vast majority of back pain cases are not due to a

serious medical problem.

However, if your back pain lasts more than three days it’s

important to talk to your doctor.

Talk To Your Doctor

Dr. Todd Kuether is a spine surgeon and Director of Neurotrauma at

Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Find out more at KuetherBrainandSpine.com