Back Pain

The back is used in nearly every activity people do in the normal course of a day. On top of its extensive use, the human back has a characteristic letter “S” shape that creates some concavities, notably near the neck and lower back. Due to the involved nature of the back and its S shape, humans are very prone to developing back pain.

The human back has many bones and muscles that work in unison. Pain can occur if something disrupts this function. In many such cases, identifiable causes can be found using modern medical diagnostic methods. Instances of herniated discs, cancer, sciatica, spinal infection, and direct trauma are typically identifiable and treatable. In these cases, established medical procedures that can treat the pain exist.

Despite the medical advances available to identifiable causes of back pain, modern medical science cannot concretely identify the mechanisms responsible for all back pain. Nearly 80 percent of Americans will experience lower back pain and 30 percent will have chronic lower back pain. The interconnectedness of the muscles of the back, the physical motions made capable by the human skeleton, and the broad surface area that the back muscles occupy all contribute to a very dynamic system that can be easily disturbed. The human back tends to be very much affected by the daily course of human activity and the overall well-being of the person. Many areas of human concern are incorporated into the healthy function of the back. Paying attention to the natural biomechanics of the human skeleton can greatly reduce the frequency of a person's back pain. Additionally, stress tends to accumulate in the back and can cause a distortion in muscular tension. Because of the back's rather broad surface area, a tightly contracted muscle, also known as a knot, can have a greater effect than in more compact muscles.

Being overweight is at the top of the list of causes of back pain. Being even a few pounds overweight can place undue stress on the back, particularly the lower back. The back supports the weight of the upper torso and can be subtly shifted out of alignment by the forward pull of excess belly fat. Over time, such a condition can create muscular imbalances, strains, and uncomfortable spinal adjustments. Being overweight does not only include weight due to excess body fat; too much muscle mass can also have ill effects. Due to the S shape, the vertebral columns are not held together in a completely vertical column. Having extra weight, fat, or muscle, will place strain on the angled sections and can cause pain.

Back pain can be caused by many different factors. While many are readily identifiable, some are not. For those cases that do not seem to have a clearly identifiable mechanism of pain, the lifestyle of the person, [Page 72]including body weight, is generally suggested as a potential source of the discomfort.

Though anyone can have back pain, obesity can cause severe back pain due to the strain of the additional weight on the body.

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