What causes back pain?

Most back pain is mechanical in nature, meaning the source of the pain may be in the spinal joints, discs, vertebrae or soft tissues. 

Here are examples of common mechanical causes of low back pain:

• Muscle or ligament sprains and strains 
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column)
• Spondylosis (a degeneration of the spine usually associated with age)
• Herniated or ruptured discs 
• Traumatic injury
• Inflammatory diseases of the joints 
• Osteoporosis 

Serious underlying conditions (rare) that may be related to low back pain include:

• Infections
• Kidney stones
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms (enlarged large blood vessel(s) that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis and legs)  

What increases risk of back pain?

Certain risk factors increase your chances of getting back pain. Some of these factors are out of your control. Others can be controlled with lifestyle choices.

“Out-of-your-control” risk factors

• Aging (typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50)¹
• Pregnancy¹
• Genetics¹
  
• Other diseases (comorbidities), such as cancer or arthritis³

Risk factors you can control

• Your job
  • Requires heavy lifting, pushing, pulling or twisting.
  • Sitting for extended periods of the day (i.e., desk job).¹  
• Your physical fitness
  • Weak, unused muscles in your back and abdomen may not support the spine and may lead to back pain.^{1, 3}
• Your weight
  • Carrying extra weight around the waistline can put a strain on your lower back muscles.¹
• Smoking
  • Reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can keep your body from delivering enough nutrients to the discs in your back.
  • Also proven to slow healing and recovery.¹
• Stress/mental health
  • Stress can cause muscle tension and back pain (or make it worse).
  • People who are prone to depression and anxiety appear to have a greater risk of back pain.¹
  • Chronic pain can also contribute to the development of such psychological factors.¹