Back Pain

Back pain is the third most common reason for surgeries.

Lower back pain is often caused by a muscle strain. The erector spinae, or large paired muscles in the lower back that help keep your spine erect, can become inflamed and spasm. In more serious cases, the pain may be caused by a degenerative condition, such as arthritis, disc disease, or disc herniation.

Rest, ice or heat therapy, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin are often the first course of treatment for mild lower back pain. This allows your muscles to return to their normal position and begin to heal.

Because the thoracic spine (the upper back) is the sturdiest part of the spine, it is less prone to injury. However it does occur. It is often caused by irritation of the muscles or a problem with a joint. Other less common causes of upper back pain include herniated or degenerative discs.

Rest for a sore back should be kept to no more than two weeks. Otherwise, the muscles in the lower back begin to atrophy, and can become significantly weak and leave you open to further undue pain and injury.

After that, other measures should be explored, including the possibility of chiropractic care.