Back pain can happen occasionally, and it isn’t usually any cause for concern. However, if it becomes frequent and regular, it does warrant a medical evaluation and possible treatment.
If you are not in a heavy-labor profession or an athlete, your chronic back pain may be due to an underlying medical condition. Let’s talk about some common causes of chronic back pain, and where you can go in Blue Springs for an efficient diagnosis and long-lasting relief that works for you.
What Are the Possible Causes of My Back Pain?
People often blame back pain on their age, but it may result from injuries and other medical conditions, including the following:
Spinal Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints and connective tissues of the body. It may cause swelling and pain in the spine, and it can affect people of all ages. The two main types of arthritis that tend to cause back pain are the following:
- Osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. It is characterized by wear-and-tear degradation of cartilage in a joint.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. This condition can spread and cause severe inflammation in other organs, such as the eyes and lungs, so it warrants treatment by a skilled medical practitioner.
Spinal Stenosis
This condition involves the narrowing of the spinal canal which houses the spinal cord. As the spinal canal narrows, it can constrict the spinal cord – and the resulting pressure can cause back pain. It tends to occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine).
Spinal stenosis has multiple causes and can be the result of other conditions, including:
- Bone overgrowth and spurs
- Herniated discs
- Tumor growth in the spine
- Thickened ligaments in the spinal joints
- Injury and trauma
Herniated or Bulging Disc
As we get older, the discs between the vertebrae tend to lose fluids inside them. When the tougher outer layer of a disc develops a crack, the softer inner portion of the disc can bulge or herniate outward through the crack – and this material may cause constant irritation to a nearby nerve, leading to chronic back pain.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone condition that develops slowly over time. The cells in our bones are constantly renewing themselves, but as we get older, the body may not be able to keep up with the constant cellular repair. This leads to the degradation of the bones, causing them to weaken and become brittle.
This can lead to chronic back pain when it affects the spinal vertebrae. It is best to have a bone scan to have osteoporosis predicted or diagnosed so it can be effectively treated, before it causes an injury (fracture).
Kidney Problem
Back pain may also indicate a problem in a kidney. The kidneys are just a little below the ribcage, so you may feel pain from the sides of your torso and mistake it for back pain. The pain may radiate to the abdomen or the groin area if the kidney condition worsens, so it is best to have a medical evaluation.
Back Pain Treatment Clinic in Blue Springs, MO
If you’re looking for quality back pain diagnosis and treatment, then look no further than Core Medical Center. Our highly skilled team of medical professionals is ready to give you the care you deserve, and we will be with you from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation.
If you want to know more or to schedule an appointment, call us today at (816) 427-0201 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
