Back pain is one of the most common conditions that patients seek medical consultation from a doctor for. This pain is often a sign of a serious medical condition that requires treatment. Surgery is often one of those treatments that help alleviate pain.

There are many different causes of back pain and finding out the cause of your pain is important. Below you will find a list of conditions that are related to back pain. If you are faced with back pain, make sure to pay close attention to this helpful information. It just might help you better understand what is causing your back pain.

Five Common Conditions That Cause Back Pain

1. Disc Herniation:

This common back condition occurs when one of the discs in the spine are torn. The outer fibrous ring of one of the inter-variable disc will then allow the soft portion to bulge out which is also known as the herniation. This condition is usually age related but can be caused by trauma or repeated heavy lifting which can cause the tears. The pain associated with this condition can affect your daily life and keep you from doing many of the things you love. Common symptoms include:

• Sharp pain in the lower back.
• Pain in the buttocks, front and back of the thigh, calf, foot, and toes.
• If the herniated disc is in the neck, then pain will go to your shoulder blades, then down your arms and hands.
• Tingling and Numbness.

2. Bulging Discs:

Another common cause of back pain is a bulging disc. Any movement or slipping of disc will cause the fluid inside the disc to balloon outside the shell of the disc. The longer this condition goes without being treated, the more severe the symptoms will become. Common symptoms include:

• Pain in your Fingers, hands, arms, neck or shoulders.
• Tingling and Numbness.

3. Pinched Nerve:

This condition can happen to anyone no matter their age. A pinched nerve in the back can be profoundly painful. Pinched nerves are caused by the compression or inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nerves. The most common areas that become affected by pinched nerves are the back and neck. The pain associated with pinched nerves should never be ignored.

Depending where the pinched nerve is located you could feel:

• Tingling in the limbs and affected nerve area.
• Burning sensations.
• Pins and needles.
• Weakness in the affected limb.
• Muscle spasms.

4. Degenerated Disc:

This condition is often caused by the aging process but can still affect people in the early twenties. The spinal discs are designed to provide a cushion for the vertebrae, and during degeneration, the discs lose the cushioning. A lot of the time there are no symptoms until the damage is already done. That damage can result in herniation’s or cause pinched nerves.

Common symptoms include (if noticed):

• Pain in the legs, thighs or buttocks.
• Pain in the lower back or neck.
• Pain while standing.
• Pins and needles, tingling or burning sensations due to pinched nerves.
• Range of motion decreases.

5. Bone Spurs:

A bone spur is a tiny outgrowth of the bones located on the vertebrae. While many people with bone spurs have no symptoms, some experience pain. Bone spurs which are also known as osteophytes can occur over time and are most commonly due to bone on bone friction.

• Common symptoms include:
• Numbness in the extremities.
• Muscle weakness.
• Tingling
• Neck stiffness

Always Take Back Pain Serious

If you are suffering from back pain, chances are you may have one of these conditions. Instead of ignoring back pain, contact me for a free one-on-one consultation. Ignoring back pain can lead to more severe conditions.