The Most Common Types of Back Injuries

Back pain is one of the most common health conditions in the country, affecting about 80 percent of the population at least once in their lives. Although this is a commonly shared condition, the type of back pain experienced by each person varies widely. The lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain. Common back injuries include:

Disc Degeneration
Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition that happens when one or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorates or breaks down, leading to pain.
There may be weakness, numbness, and pain that radiates down the leg. One aerobic option that is easy on your lower back is stationary biking.

Back Sprain
Lumbar (lower back) muscle strains and sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. Muscle strains and sprains are common in the lower back, because it supports the weight of the upper body and is involved in moving, twisting and bending. Lumbar muscle strain is caused when muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. Lumbar sprain is caused when ligaments (tough bands of tissue that hold bones together) are torn from their attachments. Both of these can result from a sudden injury or from gradual overuse. Lumbar strain or sprain can be debilitating.

Herniated Disc
A herniated disk refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (disks) between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine. A spinal disk is a little like a jelly donut, with a softer center encased within a tougher exterior. Sometimes called a slipped disk or a ruptured disk, a herniated disk occurs when some of the softer "jelly" pushes out through a tear in the tougher exterior. A herniated disk can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. On the other hand, many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disk. Most people who have a herniated disk don't need surgery to correct the problem. There are a few back exercises for herniated disc which include, yoga, swimming, walking and/or cycling.

Trauma
Trauma-related spine conditions result in fractures, sprains and dislocations of bones in the spinal column. A traumatic injury can overly compress the spine, leading to a herniated disc, or put pressure on spinal cord nerves, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

In addition, below is an infographic that discusses the ways to prevent repetitive strain injuries:

 
The bottom line is that if you are in doubt, consult a physician. If back pain is getting worse over time, it does not feel better with rest and over-the-counter pain remedies, or it involves neurological symptoms, then it is advisable to be evaluated by a back-pain doctor.