Most people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. There are two types of back pain:
Acute: Pain which lasts for a short space of time, usually a matter of weeks. Acute back pain can be caused by a fall, lifting heavy objects, or an accident, and may go away on its own.
Chronic: Pain which lasts for over three months. Chronic back pain may be caused by an accident, or it may not be obvious why the pain has started. In some cases, chronic back pain may require surgery.
If you are suffering from back pain Wales offers plenty of back pain specialists who can help you, but here are some of the main causes of back pain you can look out for:
Bad posture
If you work at a desk, sitting hunched over your computer can cause tension across your spine which can eventually lead to back and neck pain. An ergonomic office chair can help, as well as learning how to sit properly at your desk. Carrying a bag every day can also lead to back pain, as your body tries to constantly adjust to the extra weight on one side of your body.
Accidents
Any accident in which the spine is jarred can cause an ongoing back problem. Car accidents are a very common cause of back and neck pain, thanks to whiplash sustained when the car jolts suddenly. Accidents at work are another common cause, especially in physical jobs where you might have to lift heavy objects, particularly if you have not been taught how to lift safely.
Back conditions
Sometimes back pain is simply a result of getting older, or degenerative conditions such as arthritis, which can lead to spondylolisthesis, where a bone in the spine slips out of place. Spinal stenosis is common in people over 60 and is caused by the spinal canal narrowing. These conditions are just caused by age and need to be seen to by a doctor as soon as possible.
