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Causes

The causes of back pain can include injuries, mechanical problems, disease, or even stress.

Injuries: Back pain can be caused by injuries such as sprains or fractures that result from accidents, falls, athletic activities, or “overdoing it” around the house or yard. Sprains are damage to the ligaments that support the spine, and they can occur from twisting or lifting improperly. Fractured vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, porous bones.

Mechanical problems: Mechanical problems involve the way your spine moves or the way you feel when you move your spine in certain ways. One of the most common mechanical causes of back pain is a condition called intervertebral disc degeneration, which simply means that the discs between the vertebrae of the spine are breaking down with age. As they deteriorate, the discs can lose the ability to cushion the vertebrae, which can lead to pain if the back is stressed. Other mechanical causes of back pain include: spasms muscle tension, and ruptured discs, which are also called herniated discs.

Stress: Although the causes of back pain are usually physical, it is important to know that emotional stress can play a role in how severe pain is and how long it lasts. Stress can affect the body in many ways, including causing back muscles to become tense and painful.