Four out of five people experience backache at some point in their lives. Seeing as it could happen to you, you ought to be aware of what causes it and how to avoid it And you should learn how to avoid the triggers in order to keep your pain to a minimum.

Simply aging could prove to be a reason for back pain. As we get older, we lose a lot of our body's natural flexibility and muscle tone. We also have a tendency to lose bone strength over the years. Our spinal discs lose their flexibility due to loss of fluid. This means that they do a less effective job of protecting the vertebrae.

A strain, sprain or spasm in your muscles or ligaments can lead to the rupture of a spinal disc. This in turn places pressure on the nerves in the vertebrae. Our back lets us know about this with the neural signals we know as pain. What are the causes of these strains, sprains and spasms? Generally they are injuries that are the result of attempting to lift heavy weights or overextending the muscles.

Diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis are also contributors to back pain. Other probable factors are spinal abnormalities and viral infections as well as inflammation in your joints or discs.

Oftentimes, physical and lifestyle factors also lead to back problems. Examples include poor sleeping alignment, bad posture, lack of fitness, smoking, obesity (even weight gain related to being pregnant), or stress. Frequently, back pain and hip pain show up together. If your body has scar tissue from a previous injury, buildup in the region could weaken your back and result in more serious damage over time.

You need to take your back pain seriously if it is accompanied by certain other symptoms. These include a fever, a painful cough, loss of bladder or bowel control and muscular weakness, especially in the legs. If your pain is accompanied by these symptoms, speak to your doctor promptly. They may indicate a pinched nerve or other underlying problem. If you are diabetic, back pain may be a sign of neuropathy.

If your backache is persistent, there's a chance it is a result of inefficient body mechanics. Always maintain good posture and when you pick up objects, use your legs as opposed to your back. As well, strengthen your back muscles through physical activity. Check that your workplace implements proper ergonomics in areas such as furniture, equipment and tools.