ADMITTEDLY, the term “cause” is more definite than “risk factor.”
However, in the case of lower back pain (LBP), there are relatively few, clear and direct causes of LBP. In fact, according to Tiaw-Kee Lim and colleagues at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, 85 to 95 percent of back problems, including LBP, are not related with specific pathological or anatomical causes. LBP is the pain (or discomfort) located between the cartilage margins of the seventh and tenth rib and the lower folds of the buttocks. Doctors classify LBP as acute (if it occurs for less than six weeks), sub-acute (if it persists from six to 12 weeks) and chronic (if it continues for at least 12 weeks).
Here are the risk factors you should watch out for to avoid getting LBP.
Those factors that are often considered as the “origin” (or cause) of LBP are:
- Injuries and trauma of the muscles or fractures of the bone;
- Degeneration of the central back bones (and herniation of these bones);
- Nerve entrapment; and
- Other believed ‘causes’ include bone infection, autoimmune diseases, bone diseases (e.g. tumors).
Those considered as risk factors are:
- Occupational ergonomics (e.g. heavy physical exertion or repetitive actions);
- Sedentary lifestyle (prolonged sitting, inactivity, or lack of exercise);
- Sporting activities (e.g. injuries);
- Personal ergonomics (e.g. poor posture or trunk control);
- Psychosocial-behavioral factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol abuse, depression, obesity and stress);
- Socioeconomic factors;
- Ageing (age 40 to 69 has the highest incidence); and
- Gender (higher in women than in men).
Well, you may start checking out which factors you are commonly exposed to. Then, do something about it.