The spine is made up of many different types of bones that run from top to bottom. This network of bones is what allows the human body to have flexibility and support. However, with the constant flexing and extension of the body, the spine can become susceptible to damage. This constant wear and tear can cause small cracks over time. Once these cracks become large enough, they can cause back pain or even become a source of strain. When the back is strained, it is known as a back strain. There are many causes of back pain but the most common causes of back pain are muscle strains. In this article, we look at the common back and neck injuries and how a doctor for back and neck learns to recognize them.
Bending Over
There are several different ways your back can be injured by bending too far. Some of these include fractures, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis. Since the spine is made of small bones, you can injure those bones by bending too far. If you have an injury, bending over can cause pain because of the pressure placed on your discs.
Carrying Too Much Weight
Carrying too much weight on your back can cause pain and injury to the ligaments of your spine. This is because your back is not strong enough to hold all that weight. Once your back has become strained, it can become more susceptible to injury. Carrying too much weight for too long can cause back pain, headaches, and even spasms in your muscles. There are certain back exercises that can help strengthen your back and help you carry more weight without injury.
Slouching
Slouching is one of the most common causes of back pain. If you sit at a computer all day, then you are likely to experience back pain from excessive slouching. While sitting upright is important for breathing, it can be harmful to your back. Slouching causes pressure on your spinal discs by forcing them into a curve.
Exerting Yourself Too Much
While it is important to work out, it is important to know when to stop. If you push yourself too hard, you can injure your back. When you overextend yourself, you put more stress on your back by bending your torso too far. Doing this too often can cause your back to become injured. If you experience pain in your back, it is important to take a break and stretch.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Repetitive strain injuries happen when you use the same muscle over and over. Over time, your muscles become too tight because of this repetitive use. This can cause muscle spasms and even pain in your back. These are common injuries that occur when using certain muscles, like your neck muscles.
Shoulder Injury
Shoulder injuries can occur when lifting heavy objects. These injuries can be caused by lifting too heavy of objects. If you are experiencing pain in your shoulders, you should see a doctor immediately. Pain in your shoulders can be a sign of a serious injury to your back.
Neck Strain
If you have strain in your neck, it can cause pain in your shoulders and back. This strain happens when you overextend your neck muscles. This can cause your shoulders to become injured and your back to become strained. If you experience pain in your neck, it is important to see a doctor for your back and neck as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Back pain can be a scary experience. To make things worse, there is no clear sign of when it will happen again. You could go for years without experiencing any back pain at all. Then, out of nowhere, you will get a sharp pain in your back. If you are lucky enough to notice it early, you can take some steps to help prevent it from happening again.
Good posture is key to back health. Sitting up straight and keeping your shoulders down will help your back stay healthy by supporting your back and keeping it from becoming dehydrated. While these are important, they are not the only things you should be doing to keep your back healthy. You should also make sure that you are not carrying too much weight, overextending yourself, and doing repetitive work.
