What are the causes of back pain?

Often considered the "evil of the century", back pain affects almost everyone (more than 90% of the population). What are the most common causes of back pain? The point with Guy Roulier, osteopath and Dr. Charley Cohen, rheumatologist.

The main causes of back pain

Difficult to give a simple explanation to these pains because there is a range of possible explanations. Among the most common causes:

• Unusual stresses on the spine. A heavy load to carry, a move, a long car journey... can cause the classic " lumbago " or the appearance of pain most often in the lumbar region (lower back).
• Repeated poor posture, at the office or in the car (staying in a seated position with your back rounded, head tilted, etc.) and inappropriate gestures. “ The vast majority of pain is related to improper use of the spine or caused by exertion ,” says Dr. Charley Cohen.
• Physical inactivity: the weaker the back muscles, the greater the risk of suffering from low back pain  . It is therefore very important to exercise, stretch, walk, strengthen the abdominal muscles...
• Stress and overwork . The famous popular expression " to have your back full " speaks for itself...
• A lack of hydration  : ensuring that you drink enough water allows you to properly hydrate the muscles and the intervertebral discs (composed of 80% water).
• An unbalanced diet or too rich in meats, fats, sugars does not help fight against inflammation. On the contrary, it is advisable to favor fruits and vegetables, Omega 3 ... " Also think of vitamin D which promotes the maintenance of good bone capital and plays a role in reducing pain ", adds Dr. Charlie Cohen.
• Poor sleep , caused by poor bedding (mattress too hard or too soft…), an inadequate position or bad habits.
• Osteoarthritis of the column which can appear in the forties linked to the "natural" wear of the spine. It can manifest as pain or remain silent.
• Overweight which is a factor of osteoarthritis and cause lower back pain
• Neglect  : it is not desirable to get used to pain. A small inflammation or lesion left unmentioned can become more serious and eventually lead to other problems. " A micro-lesion will lead to rubbing of the joint which in the long term can cause osteoarthritis, wear of the tendon, a crack in a disc, fibrosis, sciatica ... ", explains Guy Roulier, osteopath.

• Back pain: causes specific to women

  While lower back pain seems to be unanimously shared, women suffer more from neck pain and lower back pain for various reasons:

  • The pregnancy ;
  • Wearing high heels;
  • Anatomical specificities: chest, more marked arch of the back;
  • Greater sensitivity to stress
  • A more marked predisposition to depression or fibromyalgia   which causes back pain.

  Secondary causes of back pain

  Back pain can be symptomatic of a specific condition such as:

  • Fibromyalgia with diffuse and unexplained pain;
  • Osteoporosis  ; _
  • An infection or tumor;
  • A dental malocclusion;
  • Spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis ;
  • A stomach ulcer  ;
  • A kidney stone .

  • Some tips to prevent back pain

    • If your professional activity is sedentary, remember to move regularly  : " People who have shift work should get up and move every 30 minutes in order to stretch, relax the muscles and allow microcirculation to take place ", believes Guy Roulier, osteopath
    • Against stress and overwork, adopt a  relaxation technique such as sophrology , meditation ... Take the time to relax. If you can, get a massage regularly.
    • Strengthen your back: preferably practice sports such as swimming or gymnastics that promote sheathing, abdominals, stretching ( Pilates , Yoga ). Brisk walking , paddleboarding, certain martial arts ( tai chi chuan , qi gong , etc.) are also recommended. On the other hand, avoid sports that pose a risk of falling: skiing, rugby, horse riding, cross-country cycling, etc.
    • Stretch every day and make sure you are well hydrated: " Between morning and evening, we lose 2 cm in height due to dehydration of the intervertebral discs ", reminds Guy Roulier.
    • Adopt the right postures: bend your knees when you bend down to pick up an object, keep your back straight, stretch frequently, avoid hyperextensions of the spine...
    • When you're on a long drive, stop every 1.5 to 2 hours to walk, stretch, and hydrate.
    • Change bedding if your mattress is not adequate.
    • Sleep on your side or on your back . Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
    • If you are prone to lower back pain, consider wearing a lumbar belt for handling work, driving or when you have to perform repetitive movements... This allows you to better distribute the load on all the intervertebral discs.
    • If you have suffered from scoliosis , flat feet , have a regular check-up with an osteopath or a specialist to avoid or slow down the onset of osteoarthritis over time.
    • Finally, in case of pain, do not wait to consult your doctor