Backache is almost a household word today and is fast becoming a global phenomenon. There are many causes for this, some of which are due to our lifestyle.

Before we go to the corrective aspect, let us look at some of the basic factors that generally give rise to backache.

A few common ones are detailed below.

1. Ageing and Degenerative Changes

Degenerative change is a major cause for backache. Ageing affects all the joints in the spine equally, but sometimes a particular joint may start breaking up quite early. In fact, degenerative changes can occur while you are still in your teens, though, in such cases, those are usually confined to only one or two joints.

2. Degeneration of the Disc

Degeneration and protrusion of the disc are among the common causes for backache. The main cause, probably, is the normal wear and tear. They are more common in men than in women, and more so in those who are engaged in strenuous, manual work. The degenerating disc does not work as a shock .absorber any longer, and with age, this nucleus becomes more fibrotic. Once this nuclear fragment gets extruded, it may eventually lead to the narrowing of disc space and may cause the collapse of the adjoining vertebrae. Before the nucleus ruptures, the bulge can press upon the nerve roots, giving rise to an excruciating pain called sciatica. The weakness of the disc also means that the surrounding joints and ligaments are under greater strain and, consequently, more likely to collapse.

3. Degeneration of the Joint

If the joints of the spine have to put up with extraordinary wear and tear (as they will, if you have to do a lot of straining, pushing, pulling, lifting, and especially when you do not do all these things carefully), the cartilage lining the joints wears out and becomes arthritic, and the spaces through which nerves have to pass are inevitably reduced. The danger, then, is that back pain will develop-and won't go away.

4. Degeneration of the Ligaments

If you seldom stretch your spine, then, in the long run, the ligaments in between your vertebrae may become stiff, thin, inelastic, tender and painful. Inevitably, with the stiffening of your ligaments, your spine also stiffens. Thus, the less you move, the more your ligaments degenerate. This leads to a dangerous situation and may cause major problems with the back and the neck.

5. Indigestion and Stomach Ulcer

Normally, the pain due to indigestion and stomach ulceration affects the central part of the upper abdomen, but sometimes, it may also develop in the middle of the back. Pain of this kind is usually worse after a fatty, spicy or indigestible meal and can be better handled through effective changes in your daily lifestyle; e.g. if you suffer from indigestion or stomach ulceration, you may need to alter your diet and reduce your exposure to stress. You may also need to cut down on your consumption of tobacco and alcohol.

6. Sudden Twisting and Bending

If you twist or bend suddenly, ligaments which hold your vertebrae in position may easily get torn. You may also injure one or more of your intervertebral discs. If the tear is bad, the fibrous outer casing of an intervertebral disc may be weakened, with the result that the disc bulges outward and you suffer pain. If the tear is still worse, the inside of the disc may get squeezed out through the gap in the outer casing.

7. Exercising Without Warm-Up

When you suddenly start to exercise, without proper warm¬-up, chances are that you will end up straining your cold untrained and weakened muscles. Common causes of back injury include attending a gymnasium or digging the vegetable patch after years of inactivity, when the last exercise you have had was months before; or, on finding an old tennis or squash racket, you play an energetic game without any preparation.

8. Lifting Heavy Objects

When you lift up something heavy, the pressure on your back increases dramatically. If you do so when your back is in a vulnerable position, you will be more prone to injury.

9. Obesity

If you are overweight, your spine will be under constant and unnecessary pressure. Women, when pregnant, also put an extra strain on their backs, which increases in the later stages.

10. Bad Posture

If you stand or sit improperly, your whole spine is thrown out of a1ignment, and gradually, over a period of years, you will develop more and more back problems. Wear and tear will be uneven. Muscles, joints and bones 'become unequally weak, causing stress and strain on other muscles, joints and bones in the body, thereby damaging them as well.

11. Broken Back Due to Accident

If you see that in an accident, the victim is suffering from neck pain with tingling sensation or has developed paralysis in the arms and legs, suspect that the victim may have broken the neck or part of the backbone. It is essential not to move such a person as any movement may severely damage the cord, resulting in permanent paralysis or death. In such a case, call an ambulance and rush the victim to a hospital, where proper diagnostic X-ray can be carried out.

If the situation warrants that the victim has to be shifted because of some life-threatening situation, such as drowning or fire, do so very gently and carefully. Do not let the spine bend or twist, but keep it straight. If you can find a flat board or a cot or a stretcher, lay the victim on it and secure him tightly, at the head and buttocks, to support and immobilise the spine. If you do not have any means to remove the patient from a dangerous area, you can even drag the patient by pulling both arms or legs. By this, you can keep the spine as straight as possible.