Heekin Orthopedics Discusses Common Causes of Chronic Back Pain

    JACKSONVILLE, FL, July 16, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The vast majority of people will suffer from back pain at some point in their life, and it can cause serious problems if left untreated for too long. While anyone can suffer from back pain, there are a number of risk factors as well as several common (and less common) causes of back pain.

Risk Factors for Back Pain

Known risk factors for developing chronic back pain include being overweight, obese or pregnant as this puts additional strain on the back and spine; being middle-aged or older as aging results in added wear-and-tear of the spine and back; being male; being chronically stressed as this can cause tension in the back muscles; having a family history of back pain; not getting enough exercise, not exercising correctly or performing overly repetitive motions while exercising; having poor posture; having a job or performing activities that require heavy lifting, repetitive motions or prolonged sitting; smoking cigarettes; and long-term use of medications known to weaken the bones.

Well-known Causes of Back Pain

It is important to note that most cases of back pain are caused by muscle sprains, minor injuries or pinched or irritated nerves and not by serious damage or diseases. Other common causes include mechanical problems, disc herniation and diseases such as osteoarthritis and certain acquired conditions.

Almost any activity involving the back can trigger the onset of acute back pain if carried out incorrectly. Similarly, bad habits in terms of posture, exercise, sitting and lifting heavy items as well as repetitive use or overuse of the back muscles and over-stretching can result in the gradual development of chronic back pain.

Lesser Known Causes of Back Pain

In a limited number of cases, back pain can be caused by specific medical conditions, such as whiplash, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis or cancer, or may be secondary to pain in other parts of the body.

Even though advanced age is one of the main risk factors for chronic back pain, children and teenagers can also suffer from back pain. In these cases, some of the major causes and risk factors include carrying backpacks that are too heavy, sitting in chairs that are the wrong height and not getting enough (or any) exercise.

Considering all these risk factors, the best way to reduce your risk of chronic pain is to exercise regularly and correctly, to watch your posture, to watch your form when performing heavy lifting and to lose weight and stop smoking if applicable. By leading a healthy lifestyle, your risk of developing chronic back pain can be drastically reduced and you can be happier and healthier overall.

About Heekin Orthopedics:

Established in 2001 by Dr. R. David Heekin in historic Riverside, Heekin Orthopedic Specialists has grown to include 10 knowledgeable
orthopedic surgeons, a pain management specialist and a physiatrist. They have five state-of the-art Jacksonville locations, three of which have on-site Physical Therapy departments.

To learn more, please visit https://heekinortho.com.

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