Back pain
Experiencing some form of back pain throughout your life is quite common. What’s even more common, and quite alarming, is how many people choose to live with their pain.
If you’ve been suffering for years with limited mobility and restless sleep due to back pain, you need to ask yourself two very important questions:
Major types of back pain
Back pain can be something that develops over a long period of time or it can be an instantaneous thing, like the result of a sports injury. Some of the common causes of back pain include:
Major causes of back pain
Facet Joint Syndrome
When a person experiences an awkward unexpected movement which results in a localised muscle spasm, this is known as facet joint syndrome. It can occur in the lower back, mid back or neck as these are the areas that the facet joints are located.
Disc Bulge
A disc bulge can occur in the mid back or neck but it is more common in the lower back. It is often caused by putting a continuous strain on the back and not allowing the back to repair and recover. You will most likely feel a sharp ‘pinching’ pain at the base of the spine and some form of pain in the leg or legs. The area around the disc bulge may also become inflamed.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joints link your lower spine and pelvis. Injuries in this area may be caused by overuse or certain trauma to the area. People most commonly feel lower back, hip, buttock and sciatic pain and it can feel uncomfortable to cross your legs or lay on your side for extended periods.
Piriformis Syndrome
If you feel an isolated pain in one buttock, you could be suffering from piriformis syndrome. The pain will become more intense when undertaking activities that use the hips, like walking. Some people may also feel pain down the back of the leg and will find that they walk or sit lopsided to avoid putting pressure on the sore side of the body.