Back pain
What Are the Major Back Pain Zones?
The three major back pain zones are the cervical spine, the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine, corresponding to the neck, mid back and lower back, respectively.
27 June 2022
The three major back pain zones are the cervical spine, the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine, corresponding to the neck, mid back and lower back, respectively.
Short leg syndrome is a condition that is more commonly referred to as leg length discrepancy. People who suffer from SLS have an imbalance in the structure of their lower body, which can alter their posture and lead to leg, foot, hip, knee and back problems.
Referred pain is pain that is triggered in a specific part of the body, but you feel pain elsewhere, rather than at the local site of the triggering point.
When it comes to the spine, certain back and neck problems may cause referred pain to other parts of the body.
Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis are both spinal conditions that have very similar names but are vastly different conditions. On one hand, Spondylosis is an umbrella term that describes degenerative spine conditions. On the other hand, Spondylolisthesis refers to the process where a vertebra slips out of its place.
Strains and sprains are some of the most common soft tissue injuries that affect the muscles and ligaments, respectively. When a muscle is strained, there is a tear in its tissue that occurs due to over-stretching. It is also known as a pulled back muscle.
Core muscles play an important role in supporting our spine to keep our torso upright. When they become weak, they can place increased pressure on the spine, and lead to strain, as well as spinal compression.
Spinal compression develops gradually with the passage of time and it is mostly caused by aging and repeated strain placed on our backs from daily activities, as well as excessive weight. It can lead to various spinal problems, including herniated discs, pinched nerves, and spinal stenosis, among many others.
When a nerve in the neck becomes trapped, it can lead to pain the neck, shoulders, and even headaches, along with muscle tension, stiffness, and potentially other symptoms as well.
Back pain that tends to get worse is usually caused by engaging in activities that put increased strain on the spine, poor posture, ageing, as well as other factors.
Not all forms of back pain, such as generalised back pain, may lead to headaches, but rather only conditions that affect the cervical spine may be to blame.
Some of the most common reasons to experience back pain when breathing include muscle strain, spinal deformities and poor posture.
Apart from the pain that may prevent us from doing activities that require movement and physical effort (such as spending time doing the sports we love, or spending time with our families), people with back pain (especially the chronic type) are at risk of developing more serious conditions, if the main issue is left untreated.
