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Our backs take a beating, with up to 80% of the total population suffering pain at least once in their life. It isn’t just an ailment of the elderly, either. 4 out of 5 people under the age of 45 suffer enough to take time off work at least once because of their back pain. Back pain is the second leading cause of missing a day.

What are some characteristics of this surprisingly common condition?

Back pain is described in many different ways, and the type of pain you may experience will vary depending on the type of injury or illness you have. Back pain that occurs suddenly may be caused by injury, while back pain that occurs gradually usually indicates an underlying condition.

Some injuries and illness can leave you in so much pain that you are immobile, while other minor injuries can simply cause a mild pain. Severe back pain that is accompanied by other symptoms should be evaluated by a professional, who can help you determine the proper treatment.

Often, those who have experience a traumatic back injury suffer from emotional stress. Depression is common among those who have been placed on bed rest for an extended period of time, and is also found in people whose life style has changed significantly because of their pain.

Although back pain is most commonly caused by injury or degenerative illness, there are a wide variety of reasons people experience back pain. Among those reasons are:

– Growing old. An unavoidable part of life, growing old also includes losing muscle mass, which may in turn cause back pain.

– Temporary back pain is caused by temporary conditions, such as the flu or a pregnancy. It can also be brought on by a psychological condition, such as stress.

– Everyone knows someone who suffers with arthritis, a very common cause of back pain, particularly in the elderly and sports people.

– Accidental injury, which may be treatable for short or long term.

– Poor posture is perhaps the leading culprit of back pain. Those who work manual labor for a longtime can suffer, as well as can those that perform occupations that require sitting or standing for long periods of time, such as secretaries and office jobs.

– Certain viral and bacterial infections, e.g., meningitis or a urinary tract infection, may cause back pain.

– Congenital back pain may be caused by certain inherent diseases (those a person may be born with, e.g., curvature of the spine).

– Illness, such as liver or kidney disease.

As terrible as back pain is, it can be reduced, and often eliminated, by diagnosing the root cause. Degenerative disease and poor posture related pain can be reduced by conventional or homeopathic exercises and painkillers. Pain resulting from injury and disease can be completely eliminated.

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