Causes of Back Pain

Articles examining specific conditions and circumstances that trigger back pain. Coverage includes injuries, pregnancy, depression, sciatica and risk factors for developing problems.

Ageing, Losing Height and Back Pain

Losing height as you age is normal, but rapid height loss can signal bone problems and back pain worth investigating.

Back Pain and Athletes

Athletes face higher back injury risk from repetitive movements, twisting and overuse, ranging from muscle strains to degenerative disc disease.

Back Pain and Cancer

Back pain is usually minor, but persistent pain that worsens at night or comes with weight loss could signal cancer and needs a doctor's evaluation.

Back Pain and Depression

Chronic back pain and depression often feed each other, creating a difficult cycle that needs proper treatment to break.

Back Pain and Evolution

Our ape-like ancestors' straight spines evolved into the S-curve humans have today, which can explain why back pain is so common.

Back Pain and Hernia

Inguinal hernias can cause back pain when inflammation presses on nerves, usually triggered by lifting or straining and relieved by rest.

Back Pain and Parkinson's Disease

Back pain affects most people with Parkinson's disease, but it's often overlooked as a symptom of the condition.

Back Pain and Pregnancy

Three quarters of pregnant women experience back pain, but understanding the causes and prevention methods can help manage it.

Back Pain and Shingles

Shingles can trigger back pain and nerve-related symptoms caused by the chickenpox virus reactivating in your body.

Back Pain Nearly Ruined My Pregnancy: A Case Study

One woman's severe back pain and sciatica during pregnancy led to postnatal depression, but she's finally recovering years later.

Bad Back: A Sign of Too Much Surfing?

Hours of poor posture while browsing online can trigger back and neck pain, especially in middle-aged internet users.

Bags, Backpacks and Back Pain

Heavy bags can strain your back and neck, so here's how to carry them safely without pain.

Can Back Pain Be All in the Mind?

Some back pain comes from psychological issues like stress and depression rather than physical injury, and treating both matters.

Can Shoes Cause Back Pain?

Poor footwear choices like high heels and flip-flops can alter your posture and cause chronic back pain over time.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare spinal emergency where nerve compression can cause paralysis and loss of bowel and bladder control.

Causes of Back Pain: Herniated Intervertebral Disc

When a disc in your spine bulges out and presses on a nerve, it causes back pain that can radiate down your legs.

Coccydinia

Tailbone pain can develop from childbirth, falls, or repetitive strain and often gets worse when sitting down.

Dehydrated Discs

Dehydrated spinal discs can cause stiffness, pain and nerve problems, here's what happens and why it develops.

Facet Syndrome or Facet Joint Disease

Facet joint disease causes back pain and stiffness from wear, injury, or arthritis affecting the connections between vertebrae.

Healthy Eating and Back Pain

A balanced diet and healthy weight can help ease back pain by improving overall health, though it won't fix every cause of pain.

How Does Your Bed Affect Your Back?

Your mattress choice directly affects your spine alignment and back pain, here's what matters when picking one.

How Is Psoriasis Linked to Back Pain?

Psoriatic arthritis can affect your spine and cause back pain, even if you only know psoriasis as a skin condition.

Infection and Back Pain

Some bacterial infections like urinary tract infections can cause back pain, along with other symptoms you should know about.

Injuries and Trauma and Back Pain

How injuries and trauma can cause acute back pain, from diagnosis to spinal damage and nerve injury.

Ligament Damage and Back Pain

Spinal ligaments connect and stabilise your vertebrae, and damage from trauma or poor posture can cause back pain and limited mobility.

Office Chairs and Back Pain

A poor office chair can damage your back over thousands of work hours, so choosing the right one with proper support matters.

Osteoporosis and Back Pain

Weak bones from osteoporosis can cause spinal fractures and back pain, especially in older adults and post-menopausal women.

Slipped Disc

A slipped disc happens when a spinal disc ruptures and its inner gel pushes out, pressing on nerves and causing pain in your back, neck or other areas.

Smoking and Back Pain

Smoking raises your risk of back pain and makes it worse, while also slowing how well your body heals injuries.

Spinal Dislocation

Spinal dislocation happens when joints slip out of place and needs immediate medical care to prevent nerve damage and permanent weakness.

Spinal Fractures

Spinal fractures from falls or accidents can cause pain, instability and paralysis if untreated, though many heal without surgery.

Spinal Stenosis Explained

Spinal stenosis happens when spaces around your spine narrow and pinch nerves, usually in the lower back causing sciatic nerve pain.

Strains, Sprains and Back Pain

Understand the difference between strains and sprains, what causes them, and how back pain develops from these common injuries.

Sudden Movements and Back Pain

How sudden movements cause back pain and what injuries like muscle strains, ligament damage and facet joint problems feel like.

Tilted Pelvis

A tilted pelvis can develop from sitting too long, unequal leg length, or extra weight, causing back pain and balance problems.

Weight Gain and Back Pain

Extra weight puts strain on your lower back and joints, but losing even 10% of body weight can help ease the pain.

What Is Fibromyalgia and How to Deal with It

Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle pain and fatigue, but doctors still aren't sure what triggers it or how to cure it.

What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis narrows the spinal canal and compresses nerves, causing lower back pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica causes pain radiating from the lower back down your leg—here's what triggers it and why it happens.

What Is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?

Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic disorder that weakens muscles and can affect the spine, mobility and quality of life depending on severity.

Who Is at Risk of Developmental Back Pain?

Developmental back pain occurs when the spine doesn't form properly during childhood or the womb, causing conditions like scoliosis and kyphosis.