What causes Lower Back Pain ?

Back pain is a symptom. It is therefore important to identify the source of evil to find the best treatment. The causes of back pain are varied. Often it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of evil.

Here are the sources of pain the most frequent.

• An injury to a muscle, tendon or ligament. An effort or unusual twist or accumulation of microdamage caused by repetitive motion may be the cause. People in poor physical condition are most at risk.
• The disc degeneration. Between each vertebrae there are kinds of small cushions called intervertebral discs. They help absorb shock and provide flexibility to the spine. With aging, discs lose their elasticity. It shows a disc degeneration in almost all persons over 60 years. Some athletes also experience this problem around the quarantine, especially those who practice an activity that creates pressure on the spine.
• A herniated disc. A portion of the gel content in the intervertebral disc protrudes outward and compresses the nerve roots. Poor posture, excess weight, pregnancy and disc degeneration are major causes of disc herniation.
• A gynecological problem. Many women have back pain on a regular or constant, because of painful periods, of endometriosis, etc..
• Slippage of one vertebra onto another vertebra (spondylolisthesis). This situation can occur due to a congenital weakness in the vertebral structures or following trauma.
• Arthritis, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. These health problems are common among the elderly. If the osteoporosis of the spine is important, it can cause a vertebral fracture.

Whatever the origin of back pain, there is often a contraction of muscles around the painful area. It is a protective reflex. This contraction may itself cause the pain. A vicious cycle can then begin and contribute to chronic pain.

The Pain Differs in Women

Women feel pain more severe, more frequent and longer durations than men but are less likely to receive appropriate treatment according to the International Association for the Study of Pain.

Most doctors are insufficiently informed about the research showing genetic differences, biological and hormonal in the way pain affects women, which has implications for treatments prescribed to women, said Dr. Beverly Collett at the 12th World Congress on bread.

Many are not aware, for example, as painkillers such as Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) are less effective for women and they cause more side effects in the past.

The long-term conditions such as migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and fibromyalgia are more common among women.

Despite this, many women are still not believed by doctors and given a psychiatric diagnosis. While depression often accompanies the pain, it is rarely the case.

"It is only ten years since we started to understand these differences and this remains an area where there is not enough research. But even the current knowledge were not made until the average physician who has no idea that drugs such as paracetamol and morphine work differently in women, "said Dr Collett.

For example, a Swedish study showed last year that women having a heart attack are more likely to feel pain in the shoulders and back rather than in the chest and left arm. Most doctors and nurses are unaware of these differences, which has consequences threatening the lives of women, "she said.

Until recently, most pain studies were conducted on male rodents and the majority of clinical trials for drugs are made with men.