Why Does My Back Hurt?

There are many causes of back pain, some of which can arise for seemingly no reason. Common causes of back pain include:

• Spine-Related Problems — The spine is the main supportive structure of the back; there are a number of conditions that can affect spinal health, and if not addressed, can cause painful symptoms. Spine-related problems include:
– Herniated or slipped discs
– Bulging discs
– Degenerative disc disease
– Inflammation and wear of the sacroiliac joint
– Spinal stenosis
– Cervical radiculopathy
– Spondylolisthesis
• Accidents and Injuries — Physical trauma caused by an accident or injury can also result in back pain, from things such as:
– Car accidents
– Falls
– Muscle sprains
– Ligament strains
– Spine or vertebral fractures
– Spasms
• Lifestyle Triggers — The way in which we live our lives can also cause back problems. Many of these triggers have to do with posture, but they are also associated with healthier choices, such as:
– Slouching at a desk
– Lifting heavy objects
– Being overweight
– Not exercising
– Smoking
– Wearing high heels
• Emotions — It is easy to underestimate the role that emotions play in our health as they often have a silent impact, leading us to believe that our emotions do not affect our physical wellbeing. These emotions can negatively affect health:
– Stress
– Anxiety
– Depression
• Other Causes — There are a number of other causes that impact back health and can lead to pain if not appropriately managed, including:
– Arthritis
– Osteoarthritis
– Ankylosing spondylitis
– Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine
– Pregnancy
– Tumors
• Less Common Causes — Some causes of back pain are less common than others, but still result in thousands of cases every year, including:
– Kidney stones and infections
– Endometriosis
– Osteomyelitis or discitis
– Fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain)

While it is a common occurrence, back pain is not normal and indicates that there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. In optimal conditions—when our bodies are performing as they should be—there should be no pain present.

Back pain is a common condition; in most cases, it is mild and goes away within a few days or weeks, but there are some signs to be aware of that could indicate back pain is more serious, including:

• Age
• Fever or chills
• Recent illness or surgery
• Trauma
• History of cancer
• Unexplained weight loss
• Night pain or pain at rest
• Incontinence
• Saddle anesthesia
• Weak, numb, or painful leg muscles

Most cases of back pain go away on their own without medical intervention, but some are more serious and should be addressed by a pain management doctor as soon as possible, including when the pain:

• Is constant or intense, especially at night
• Spreads down one or both legs
• Causes weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs
• Occurs with unintended weight loss
• Occurs with swelling or redness on the back
• Occurs after an injury
• Causes new bowel or bladder control problems
• Occurs with a fever

If you are experiencing back pain and do not know what is causing it, come to OmniSpine Pain Management in Texas for a professional evaluation and treatment. We look forward to serving you! Visit us at a location near you in Frisco, TX, Sunnyvale, TX, and Mesquite, TX. We serve patients from Dallas TX, Frisco TX, Mesquite TX, Sunnyvale TX, Plano TX, Garland TX, Forney TX, Cedar Hill TX, Denton TX, Balch Springs TX, and surrounding areas.