As we grow older, we start to notice that things in our bodies tend to slow down and work less efficiently. Pain often accompanies our slowing metabolisms and the overall degeneration that comes with age. It’s common that most people will suffer from back problems of some kind as a result of this aging. But what makes lower back pain so debilitating anyway?
Understanding Anatomy
Because our spines stay erect most of the day, our bones undergo a lot of compression from gravity, activity, and our own weight. There are supporting tissues that keep the spine from curving and compressing on itself more than it already does through stress and time, but eventually, we all feel the pain that is associated with these spinal compressions. This is where back pain comes from. There are many different ailments that can cause back pain, but at the core of all problems is the stress and pressure placed on the spine daily.
Soft Tissue Injuries
The spine is composed is of what is known as a musculoskeletal system, which is comprised of muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, veins, and arteries. These systems all play a role in how our bodies function and what causes our pain when we have these lower back flare-ups. In most cases, lower back pain comes from soft tissue injuries that result from overactivity and overwork of those muscles, ligaments, and tendons. When they are stressed out from all the pulling and irritation of being overstimulated, the muscles and tendons swell up and make it hard to remain mobile. This is the body’s way of letting you know that you have put too much work on the body and that you need to rest.
Mechanical Injuries
More serious lower back issues and injuries come from mechanical problems. This means damage to the skeletal system itself, such as the vertebrae of the lower back that make up the spine. When these vertebrae have too much stress on them for too long or if they regularly endure extremely stressful situations, they can compress and cause serious issues. This could cause the individual to experience lower back pain in addition to other medical complications.
Knowing how to identify what lower back pain is and how to treat it goes a long way to in maintaining your health. Taking the pressure and stress off the spine by lying down and decompressing the vertebrae. This can often alleviate a lot of the issues related to back pain. However, if you have a condition that requires you to seek medical attention regularly to treat your back pain, rest and relaxation may not be enough to provide relief. Otherwise, you can be proactive about your back and spinal health. This is what makes lower back pain so debilitating for people of all ages.
