Don’t Avoid an Orthopedist

One of the frustrating things about dealing with back pain is that there are so many different back pain causes, and it can be hard to pinpoint the source of your pain. Here are some of the most common sources of back pain, as a starting point for evaluating your own back pain. 

Muscle Strain

One of the common causes for chronic back pain is muscle strain. The muscles in your back can become strained when your muscles aren't working in harmony. For instance, if some of your muscles are too tight, they can begin to pull on the muscles that are connected to them. If you are an athlete who has back pain, then you may need some muscle rehabilitation in order to correct your muscle and ligament strain. 

Spinal Alignment

Your spinal vertebrae should flow together as one single unit in order to work properly. However, this isn't always the case; sometimes a vertebra can become jarred so that it sticks out. A chiropractor can help you check your spinal alignment.

Arthritis

In some cases, you may have overlooked arthritis as the source of your back pain. While many people tend to think of arthritis as a problem that affects the elderly, there are several warning symptoms that can signal arthritis even in young adults. Pain in just one or a few joints may let you know that you have early arthritis, which can certainly cause lower back pain. A doctor can help you diagnose arthritis and other bone conditions as sources of back pain. 

Of course, many types of back pain can come from several related sources. So, while it can be helpful to evaluate your own back pain, you might need to seek professional help in order to completely eradicate your pain and to locate all of the back pain triggers. 

Getting Help for Back Pain

Since there are some many different causes for back pain, there's no one size fits all solution. The best thing that you can to if you are experiencing some back pain is to see a back pain specialist. This care provider will help you examine some of the causes of your back pain. Depending on the source, you may need painkillers, surgery, or rehabilitation. For those with chronic back pain, some form of physical therapy and back muscle rehabilitation can help cut down on the pain they experience. The first step towards recovery is to talk with a specialist (like those at Hand & Orthopedic Rehabilitation Specialists) about your best options.