Understanding the Causes and Trauma of Lower Back Pain

Most people believe that you need a major traumatic event to cause chronic back pain, but this isn't really true. Things like car accidents, falls and hernias can cause severe trauma to the back, but many chronic pain sufferers report no such incidents, yet they live every day of their life with pain in their lower back. Chronic back pain can be caused simply by sitting in the wrong kind of chair every day at work, which doesn't provide the right kind of back support. Realizing that you suffer from a chronic back pain condition is more difficult than you think and many of these conditions end up causing pain throughout the body.

According to research led by a John Hopkins pain management specialist, back pains are good candidates for surgery, as complicated spine operations are on the rise and that Americans are spending a staggering $86 billion yearly in caring for back pains. Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants had more back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders than any other occupation in 1999, according to the United States bureau of labor statistics. Back pain are more likely for people working in nursing, construction, factory work and truck driving because of the demands placed on the spine. Nurses, for example, put a great amount of strain on the lower back every time they help transfer patients from bed to bed, lift them from a chair or change positions. Other service jobs, including police officers and firefighters sometimes experience lower back pain.

Here are some of the risk factors for low back pain:

1. By doing heavy physical work, especially when it involves heavy lifting, twisting, or working with vibrating machinery.( This can put a lot of strain on your back)

2. Staying in one position for a long time. For example, if you have a job that involves a lot of driving, you could be at risk.

3. Improper lifting techniques, and poor posture are some of the common factors of lower back pain.

4. Illness and diseases such as kidney infections are one of the prime causes of lower back pain that often go undiagnosed.

On a final note, the best relief is to avoid getting injured at the back in the first place and keep your back muscles strong through stretches and exercises. Use tools such as dollies or belts that offer lower back support if you are moving something heavy and always use proper techniques for bending and lifting at all times. But, if you are suffering from any pain at your back and you can't seem to get a straight answer kindly contact your doctor, for proper medical diagnoses.