Pain in the lower left side of the back is common, frustrating, and can stem from numerous causes, including muscle…
Lower back pain is one of the most common physical complaints during pregnancy. In fact, studies suggest 50% to 70%…
Have you ever woken up in the morning with serious back pain? Your sleeping posture might be to blame. Burning…
Millions of people experience acute or chronic back pain every year, and it’s one of the most common reasons to…
Understanding Upper Back Pain Prevalence and Impact True, the upper back does not cause as many visits to the doctor…
Medical experts rank back pain as one of most common medical conditions, affecting an estimated 80% of all Americans at some point during their lives. What makes back pain particularly troublesome, is that it is a medical condition that affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. But what exactly causes back pain?
An adult spine consists of a stack of 24 bones called vertebrae, plus the bones of the sacrum and coccyx. These bones support the human body and protect the spinal cord’s major column of nerve fibers connected to the brain. These fibers run through the vertebrae via the spinal canal. Between each vertebra are discs made of cartilage and filled with a gel-like material, these act similar to a shock absorber. Also, ligaments, muscles, tendons and small joints called facets help hold the vertebrae together.
An astute writer once wrote, “Lucky the woman who knows the pangs of birth, for she has held a star.” Of course, if you’re a woman who’s ever been pregnant, you just know it was a man who said this! Sure, having a baby is a wonderful time in your life, but what about all the pain that comes with it? And contractions are only the half of it! Of all the pains women report experiencing during pregnancy, back pain tops the list for causing the most negative impacts on their daily activities. Pregnant women still need to get things done in their lives. They often have other children they must parent, business meetings they must attend, and everyday activities that aren’t going to get done unless they address them head-on. But when that pregnancy back pain comes on, it can have the power to keep you down for hours. If you’re a pregnant woman who’s experiencing back pain, here’s more information from top spine specialists in New Jersey about the causes of your pain and, more importantly, tips to help ease that pain and get you back to your active life.