Back pain is a serious problem. It's not always mild enough to take care of with a simple painkiller. In fact, according to Handsdownbetter.org, back pain currently accounts for 264 million lost workdays every year. This comes down to two workdays for every full-time employee across the country. Additionally, excessive use of painkillers to treat back pain can lead to dependence and physical side effects, meaning that we can't rely on them as much as we may wish.

One of the best ways to deal with back pain is to understand how it begins. This will allow you to, if possible, avoid the behaviors and choices that cause back pain in the first place, and ideally find solutions for these issues.

1. Muscle Strain

One of the most common causes of back pain is muscle strain or ligament sprain. The reason why these problems occur can often be linked to heavy lifting, or sudden, unexpected movements. Therefore, if you work a physical job or even simply carry your kids around a lot, you could be more likely to experience muscle strain or ligament sprain. Try some different lifting techniques — such as lifting with your knees rather than your back — to prevent muscle strain.

2. Herniated Discs

Herniated or ruptured disks are often linked to back pain and need to be taken seriously. When the soft material within your spine's disks bulges or ruptures, it can end up pressing on your nerves. This can ultimately cause serious back pain. At times, your disks can be damaged without you even realizing it until your spine is x-rayed. Practice good posture, lift objects carefully, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid wearing heels in order to avoid disk issues.

3. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, which can affect anyone but is especially common among older women. The bones in the spine can become brittle due to this disease, resulting in painful fractures. To prevent this disease, eat a lot of calcium, avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, and eat a varied, healthy diet.

4. Arthritis

It's not uncommon for arthritis to affect your back, ultimately leading to very real pain. Though you can't always prevent arthritis, your doctor can help you treat it. Try to keep up with exercising, watching your weight, and eating healthy.

5. Back and Neck Pain Due to Past Injuries

Old injuries can and often become chronic without treatment. The pain seldom goes away or you require longer treatments. The best solution is to see Nikta Chiropractic as early as possible after an injury for relief of your back or neck pain.

Back pain can be incredibly irritating, but it doesn't have to be debilitating. If you think that chiropractic care could ease some of your pain, don't hesitate to reach out to Nikta Chiropractic today.