Back pain can be divided into neck pain, middle back pain, lower back pain.
The spine is made up of vertebrae. There are normally 33 vertebrae in humans, 7 in the neck (cervical spine), 12 in the middle back (thoracic spine), 5 in the lower back (lumbar spine) and 9 which are fused in the sacrum and coccyx. There are 23 Intervertebral discs which act as shock absorbers. The muscles enable the spine to move and the ligaments support it. The spine protects the spinal cord which contains the nerves.
Back pain can be caused by a variety of conditions such as over-stretched muscles or ligaments, disc problems, problems with the facet joints between the vertebrae, fractures, OA and inflammatory diseases to name a few.
Common Causes Of Back Pain
-sitting all day
-lack of exercise
Other contributing factors such as abnormal spinal mechanical stresses can also play a part in back pain. Some examples of this are postural abnormalities due to an increase or decrease lumbar lordosis, scoliosis, unequal leg lengths, tight hamstrings, weak abdominal and back muscles or use of incorrect foot wear.