Different Ways Back Pain Can Develop

Written By: Samira Esha and Sahannah Seemungal

 Back pain is experienced by around 80 percent of the American population. Although some young adults between the ages of 20 and 30 can start to feel the discomforts of an aging spine, most people who experience back pain do so between the ages of 40 and 60. Depending on the cause and location of the back pain, individuals can experience a variety of symptoms, including shooting or stabbing sensations, persistent back muscle aches, or pain that radiates into the legs. In other cases, the discomfort intensifies with certain movements or when standing up or lying down for extended periods.

The five small bones, also known as vertebrae, on the bottom area of the spine carry the most weight of the upper body. Therefore, these bones experience movement and stress as people age, leading to their degradation. Additionally, as a person ages, their bone density naturally deteriorates, which is also known as osteoporosis. This can manifest into back pain in three different ways, such as osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. 

Arthritis is most commonly known as joint pain associated with the knees or hips, but it can happen anywhere on the body where two joints meet and is the most common form of lower back pain. Joints have cartilage, an elastic tissue, and a joint fluid. With age, the facet joints found in the spine may undergo osteoarthritis, which is when they begin to lose their cartilage and fluid, causing them to become narrow. This can apply pressure that makes the joints rub together, inflaming or stiffening them and leading to back pain. This pain can be especially intense in the morning but can be eased once someone begins to move around. 
 

Another major contributor to back pain is degenerative disc disease. 23 discs in the spine offer cushion support between vertebrae and preserve the curvature of the spine, which allows people to bend or flex. Discs have a collagen exterior, and as someone ages, their discs lose collagen fibers, causing them to lose their natural moisture and become less pliable. This increases the chances of a herniated disc, which is when it ruptures and applies pressure on the small sensory spinal nerves, irritating and inflaming them. The pain can occur throughout the entirety of the spine but primarily happens in the lower back region. In addition to pain, this disease can be the reason for bad posture. 
 

Both osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease can be the cause of spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of any area of the spinal canal. This can lead to applied pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots and cause pain, numbness, and cramping on your back. Additional causes of spinal stenosis include bone disease, tumors, and spinal injuries.
 

Although age plays an important factor in back pain, there are many ways to prevent or minimize back pain as one gets older. Every pound of body weight humans have accounts for four pounds of pressure that is transferred to the musculoskeletal system when walking. That amount is doubled when humans run. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight can be a significant preventative measure when it comes to back pain. Other ways to minimize back pain are to stay active through walking, exercising, yoga, or Pilates. However, if increased physical activity causes back pain, it is important to consult a doctor. 

There are many effective ways to treat back pain, both at home and under medical supervision. Icing the area of pain or taking over-the-counter pain-relieving medication can help reduce the pain but will not necessarily fix the cause of back pain. With the guidance of a doctor, physical therapy, weight loss, spinal injections, or surgery can help relieve the pain and tackle the root problem. 
 

References

Chhatre, Akhil. “Lower Back Pain: What Could It Be?” Www.hopkinsmedicine.org, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/back-pain/lower-back-pain-what-could-it-be.

“Is Back Pain Avoidable as We Age?” Www.texashealth.org, www.texashealth.org/Health-and-Wellness/Back-and-Spine/Is-Back-Pain-Avoidable-as-We-Age.

“Is Back Pain Normal as You Age?: Pain Medicine Www.painmedicineconsultants.com, www.painmedicineconsultants.com/blog/is-back-pain-normal-as-you-age

Pennmedicine.org, 2023, www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/neuroscience-blog/2023/february/spine-pain-and-age.