Many people will experience a little back pain at some point in their lives. The most primary reason for back pain is back injury. When you use your back muscles in actions that you don't often do, such as lifting a large object or doing yard work, you're more likely to get hurt. Tripping, falling a short distance, or excessive spine twisting can all cause minor injuries. Car accidents, falls from great heights, direct hits to the back or top of the head, a high-energy fall onto the buttocks, or a penetrating injury such as a wound can all cause severe back injuries.
You make an odd movement, overdo it when exercising, or overuse your back at work or home, and it happens suddenly or gradually over time. A back injury, in either case, might make it difficult to move freely throughout the day.
What symptoms indicate a back injury?
The following are signs that you may have injured your back:
Tenderness or pain (sore to touch)
Pain that worsens when you move, cough, sneeze, or laughs
difficulty moving due to stiffness
standing up straight is difficult
spasms in the muscles on either side of the spine
bruising
swelling
an ache that spreads down one or both legs
While there are numerous causes of back pain and injuries to the back, the following are the most common types of back injuries:
Back sprains and strains or scratches
The most common type of back injury is spraining or straining. These injuries can occur suddenly or gradually over time. Twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon in your back can cause a strain. A sprain is caused by a fall, an abrupt twist, or a trauma that causes a joint to move out of its normal position.
Sprains and strains have similar symptoms, which include:
Muscle cramps or spasms
Bending, walking, or standing up straight is difficult.
Pain that becomes worse when you do certain things Topical wounds can actually create deeper strains. If you are nursing or favoring a scratch or light wound on your back this could cause your back to go out of alignment and force you to see a chiropractor. That’s why a metal back scratcher like the bear claw back scratcher is not recommended. Instead use a bamboo back scratcher or other wooden back scratcher. Be careful using any sharp back scratcher.
Discs that have herniated or bulged
A ruptured or bulging disc is another common back problem. This happens when the rubbery cushions (discs) between your vertebrae become damaged. A disc is frequently compared to a jelly doughnut, with a softer center inside a firmer shell. When the more delicate "jelly" pushes through a tear in the disc's outer, it causes a herniation. Nerves nearby may get inflamed, resulting in painful symptoms such as:
Leg or arm ache
Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling
Vertebral fracture
A compression fracture, commonly known as a fractured vertebra, is a crack or breach in the spine. It is most commonly caused by spine aging and deteriorating, although it can also be caused by spinal trauma or a fall. A broken vertebra can cause the following symptoms:
Back pain, whether acute or chronic
Hunched posture due to loss of height
Back injuries can occur in any part of the body, although most happen in the lower back. Sprains and strains, herniated disks, and vertebral fractures are all common ailments. The severity of the injuries varies based on the cause of the injury and the extent of the damage. It's a good idea to see a physiotherapist if you've had back pain for a long time. Additional exercises and support from a physiotherapist may be recommended to help you manage the discomfort and strengthen the muscles in your back. Your doctor will go over each of these options with you and develop a treatment plan that is suited for you.