Things to know about back pain | Back pain – not with a strong back

Things to know about back pain

Everyone knows back pain – apart from infections, it is the second most common reason why people in Germany consult a doctor. 70% of Germans suffer from them at least once a year. Back pain can manifest itself in many different ways; for example, pulling, stabbing, tearing or even throbbing, and the localization also varies from the cervical spine down to the sacrum.

According to the latest survey results, back pain is one of the most unpleasant pains a person can have. Severe pain does not necessarily mean that it has a serious cause. In fact, back pain is often caused by a lack of exercise, a predominantly sedentary activity or poor posture.In this case, the spinal column experiences a one-sided load that does not correspond to its anatomical structure.

In the long term, a muscle imbalance results: some muscles are used too little and shorten – others are overloaded and overstretched. This process often leads to tension. It can also happen that nerves are pinched by a bad posture and cause pain.

In rare cases, back pain is specific, which means that there is a physical cause for it. These include spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, kyphosis or ankylosing spondylitis. At an advanced age, it is primarily wear and tear such as osteoarthritis, a narrowing of the spinal canal or osteoporosis that trigger the pain.

Only in very rare cases is back pain an indication of a tumor. If the back pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as paralysis, sensory disturbances or sudden incontinence, a possible herniated disc or a fracture of the vertebral body must also always be considered in the case of back pain. Of course, such complaints can also occur as a result of injuries, such as whiplash or falling on the back.

It should be noted that back pain can also be a symptom of regions of the body far from the back, for example, kidney stones, menstrual pain or pancreatic disorders. In addition to the physical causes, psychological factors such as depression or stress can also be triggers for back pain.