What are the common causes of back pain in young adults? Discover the top reasons behind back pain in your 20s and 30s, including muscle strains, disc degeneration, and spinal injuries.

Exploring the Causes of Back Pain in Young Adults

Back pain is often associated with older adults, but it can also be a common issue for young people in their 20s and 30s. Understanding the potential causes of back pain in young adults is crucial for proper diagnosis and effective treatment. This article delves into the top reasons behind back discomfort in young individuals, providing a comprehensive overview to help readers better understand and address this health concern.

Back Muscle Strain: A Common Culprit

One of the most prevalent causes of lower back pain in young adults is a back muscle strain. This type of injury is often the result of strenuous physical activity, such as lifting heavy objects, engaging in excessive exercise, or sudden, awkward movements. When the ligaments and muscles in the back stretch or suffer from microscopic tears, it can lead to a painful back strain. The good news is that back strains typically heal on their own with a combination of rest, ice and/or heat application, and anti-inflammatory medications.

Juvenile Degenerative Disc Disease: An Early Onset Condition

Another cause of back pain in young adults is Juvenile Degenerative Disc Disease, a condition that can present itself early in adulthood. Studies suggest that this form of disc degeneration in the lower spine is often associated with the common “teenage slouch” posture. The cushioning discs between the vertebrae start to break down, leading to sudden pain with movements like standing up from a sitting position. This discomfort can worsen with prolonged sitting and may last for weeks or months, sometimes accompanied by muscle spasms and sciatica (radiating pain in the legs).

Spinal Injuries: Trauma and Its Consequences

Trauma or injury can also be a cause of back pain in otherwise healthy young adults. Two main types of back injuries include Spondylolisthesis, which is the slipping of a vertebra, and Spondylolysis, a vertebral fracture that can cause the vertebra to slip forward, backward, or over a bone. These types of injuries, often resulting from a hard fall, can lead to severe compression of the vertebrae and irritation of surrounding nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the extremities. Another common diagnosis is Cervical Radiculopathy, where the compression of the cervical vertebrae leads to pain, weakness, or loss of sensation in the arms, neck, or shoulders.

Identifying the Root Cause: The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention

If you are experiencing any form of back pain, it is crucial to consult with a specialist to accurately diagnose the underlying cause. Back pain should never be ignored, as it can be an indicator of a serious but treatable condition. By working with a qualified healthcare provider, you can ensure that the root cause of your back discomfort is properly identified and addressed, leading to effective treatment and a better quality of life.

Seeking Professional Advice at Spine Vue

If you are struggling with back pain, consider visiting the experts at Spine Vue in Dallas or Allen, Texas. Their team of specialists can provide a thorough evaluation, pinpoint the problem, and develop a personalized treatment plan to alleviate your discomfort. Don’t let back pain disrupt your life – take the first step towards recovery by contacting Spine Vue today.

Key Takeaways

• Back pain is not uncommon in young adults, despite being often associated with older individuals.
• The most common causes of back pain in young adults include back muscle strain, Juvenile Degenerative Disc Disease, and spinal injuries.
• Back muscle strain is often caused by strenuous physical activity, lifting heavy objects, or sudden, awkward movements.
• Juvenile Degenerative Disc Disease is linked to poor posture and the breakdown of the cushioning discs between vertebrae.
• Spinal injuries, such as Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis, can result from trauma and lead to severe compression and nerve irritation.
• It is crucial to seek medical attention to accurately diagnose the root cause of back pain and receive appropriate treatment.
• The experts at Spine Vue in Dallas and Allen, Texas, are available to provide a comprehensive evaluation and personalized care for individuals experiencing back pain.

Causes for Back Pain in Young Adults

What Causes Back Pain in Young Adults?

Low back pain is not often considered to be a potential problem among young adults. So when back pain strikes at a young age, it comes as a surprise and a source of confusion as to the cause. In our youth, we may think we are indestructible, but it is not uncommon for back pain to appear in our twenties and thirties.

Most often, back pain experienced at a young age is the result of overly strenuous exercising, a job that requires lifting objects that are too heavy, or a sudden awkward movement such as bending over to pick up a toddler. This type of back pain is usually due to Back Strain.

What Is a Back Strain?

Back Strain can be extremely painful and will unexpectedly put your life on hold. Treatment can consist of standard practices such as alternating ice and heat on the areas of injury, taking anti-inflammatories and doing non-rigorous, specific stretches or lower back relaxation techniques.

A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon, which is a fibrous cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. A Back Strain is often signified by a dull ache in the back when walking or standing. There may also be a feeling of stiffness in your back when bending, feeling sore in specific areas that are also tender to the touch, or pain in a localized area that does not mimic sciatica, which causes radiating pain in the legs.

Juvenile Degenerative Disc Disease

Another cause of back pain is Degenerative Disc Disease, a condition that can present itself early in adulthood, often referred to as Juvenile Degenerative Disc Disease. Studies indicate that Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease in the lower spine is due to the common “teenage slouch”. Vertebrae in the back are cushioned by doughnut-shaped, gel-like pillows, called discs. With Degenerative Disc Disease, these “pillows” break down, bringing on sudden pain with movement such as standing up from a sitting position. The pain may feel as if the bone is scraping on bone within the spine. Muscle spasms can also occur, as well as sciatica, pain which radiates from the buttocks down one or both legs.

This discomfort can become worse with long periods of sitting, it may last weeks or months and is often quite intense. There are many treatment options for Degenerative Disc Disease, which will vary according to the severity of the patient’s condition.

Back Pain Injury

Finally, trauma or an injury can be the cause of back pain in an otherwise strong and healthy young adult. There are two main types of back injuries. Spondylolisthesis is described as slipping of the vertebra and occurs at the base of the spine. A fracture of the vertebra, referred to Spondylolysis, can cause for the vertebra to slip backward, forward or over a bone. A hard fall can and often does result in this type of injury, causing a severe compression of vertebrae. The resulting bulge can radically irritate surrounding nerves, resulting in pain, numbness or weakness in the extremities. Consulting with a spine specialist is your best solution, to identify the extent of the problem.

Cervical Radiculopathy is one of the most common diagnosis for a back injury, where compression of the cervical vertebrae results from a disturbed nerve. This injury will manifest itself by causing pain and weakness or loss of feeling in the arms, neck, or shoulders; areas closest to the damaged nerve. Cervical Radiculopathy can be treated through physical therapy, medication and in some cases surgery may be necessary to alleviate the pressure.

Visit Spine Vue in Dallas or Allen, TX today!

If you are experiencing any back pain, it is important that you meet with a specialist to pinpoint the problem and diagnose it accordingly. You should never disregard back pain as it can be an indicator of a serious, but treatable condition. Contact Spine Vue today for an evaluation to find out the reason for your back pain.

3 Causes Of Lower Back Pain in Young Adults

Most young adults don’t expect to suffer from back pain, it is usually associated with people who are much older. However, in your mid twenties to early thirties, it is possible to suddenly start experiencing lower back pain. This kind of soreness can be very debilitating and severely affect your quality of life.  Here are three of the main causes of back pain in young adults, and the symptoms to look out for.

1. Back Muscle Strain

One of the most common causes of lower back pain in young adults, back strain is often caused by lifting heavy objects, excessive exercising, sudden movements or twisting into an awkward position. The ligaments and muscles in your back might have stretched or suffered from microscopic tears, thus causing you pain. Back strains will  most often heal on their own with the help of some combination of rest, ice and/or heat application, anti-inflammatory pain medications, as well as gradual and gentle stretching and lower back exercises.

Symptoms of back muscle strain include:

• Difficulty walking or standing up straight without pain
• A pain that is dull and achy
• Localized stiffness or soreness upon being touched
• A pain that does not radiate down your legs, but moves around your lower back area, groin and buttocks.

2. Degenerative Disc Disease

Lumbar degenerative disc disease can affect individuals as young as 20. When the lumbar discs between your vertebrae begin to break down, the damaged disc can cause painful inflammation and slight instability in the lower back, which brings about muscle spasms and sometimes sciatica. Degenerative disc disease is common and is often successfully treated.

You may be suffering from degenerative disc disease if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Back pain worsened by sitting
• Low-level of constant lower back pain punctuated by episodes of severe pain/muscle spasms lasting a few days to a few months
• Walking, even running, may feel better than sitting/standing
• Changing positions frequently relieves pain

3. Lumbar Herniated Disc

A herniated disk refers to a problem with one of the rubbery disks between the vertebrae that stack up to form your spine. You can have a herniated disk without even knowing it, but sometimes a slipped disk can be really really painful. It causes a pain commonly known as Sciatica.  Sciatica happens when a nerve root in the lower spine is compressed, causing pain and numbness to travel along the large sciatic nerve that serves the buttocks, legs and feet.

Common symptoms of Sciatica include: 

• Pain typically is constant as opposed to flaring up for a few days or weeks and then ceasing.
• Pain is more intense in the leg and foot, rather than the back
• The pain is typically experienced on one side of the buttocks or leg
• Pain is severe after long periods of standing or sitting still but is relieved when walking
• The pain is more of an intense tingling or burning rather than a dull ache.
• May be accompanied by weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot

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Lumboischialgia – causes, treatment | MOTRIN®

Author, editor and medical expert – Anna Yurievna Budovskaya.

Editor and medical expert – Harutyunyan Mariam Harutyunovna

Number of views: 35 841

Last update date: 12/29/2022 9 0003

Average reading time: 6 minutes

Content:

Causes of sciatica
Symptoms of sciatica
Diagnosis of lumboischialgia
Treatment of lumboischialgia
Prevention of lumboischialgia

Pain in the lower back during life occurs in more than 70% of people, most often in young people aged 35 to 55 years. Lumbosacral pain is one of the most common causes of temporary disability ^1.2 .

Pain in the lower back is called variously ³ :

• lumbalgia – if it is felt only in the lower back;
• lumboischialgia – when pain occurs not only in the lumbar region, but also spreads to the lower limb;
• lumbago – in cases where there is acute and intense pain in the lower back (lumbar backache).

In all these cases, back pain is a serious symptom that requires alertness and a mandatory visit to a doctor. In this article, we will talk in detail about lumboischialgia: why it occurs, how to alleviate unpleasant symptoms and prevent their recurrence.

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Causes of lumboischialgia

In more than 90% of cases, doctors do not find any serious disease (inflammation, infection, tumor, or fracture) that could cause lumboischialgia attacks ² . The most common causes of pain are complications of lumbar osteochondrosis, such as displacement of the vertebrae or a herniated disc ³ . In the elderly, lumboischialgia is usually due to degenerative processes (disc destruction) in the lumbar spine ^2.9 , and in young and middle-aged people it is often due to reflex irritation of the nerves, for example, when the intervertebral disc bulges ^9.12 .

Intervertebral discs are structures that serve as shock absorbers during the movement of the spine. Each disc has a nucleus pulposus and a fibrous (dense) annulus that prevents the nucleus from going beyond the disc ¹³ .

In a herniated disc, the intervertebral disc moves outward and irritates the pain receptors of the annulus fibrosus. This causes reflex muscle spasms, which provoke pain in the lower back and lower limbs ⁹ .

At risk of developing lumboischialgia are people whose work is associated with lifting weights or “twisting” loads that are inadequate for the spine. Such movements during work are usually performed by loaders, locksmiths, as well as athletes – gymnasts, tennis players, skiers ¹¹ . However, osteochondrosis and its complications in the form of lumboischialgia are also often found in people of “sedentary” professions, for example, office workers and drivers of vehicles who are forced to stay in one, sometimes very uncomfortable for the spine, position for a long time.0035 11 .

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Symptoms of sciatica

Lumbosciatica can occur due to sudden movement, bending over, lifting heavy objects or falling ⁹ . For many, the pain is aggravated by straining, coughing, sneezing, staying in one position for a long time, and even sitting in a deep chair ⁹ . At the moment of the attack, the person takes a forced position, usually leaning to the healthy side, or lies with his leg pressed to his stomach to relieve pain ⁹ .

There are 2 forms of lumboischialgia:

• In neuropathic the source of pain is the root of the spinal nerve, which turned out to be compressed by a displaced vertebra or herniated disc ³ . When squeezing the root (radiculopathy), the pain is sudden, shooting and intense ³ . Since the sciatic nerve is part of the root ¹⁴ , the pain “radiates” to one leg, but does not have clear boundaries and can “move” within the lower limb ³ .
• Reflex occurs due to irritation of the muscles, joints and ligaments in the lumbar region ¹¹ . At the same time, aching and more often bilateral pain is observed, which is most pronounced in the buttocks and thighs, rarely goes below the knee ³ . Sometimes discomfort is felt constantly ³ .

Consult your doctor if you experience any pain. Often low back pain is a manifestation of specific conditions that require emergency care ³ .

The following danger symptoms (“red flags”) are distinguished for lumboischialgia ² :

• under 18 and over 50 years of age;
• recent back injury;
• long-term treatment with hormonal drugs;
• dramatic weight loss;
• persistent progressive pain that does not improve with rest;
• soreness, which is felt not only in the back, but also in the perineum, vagina, rectum, sometimes associated with urination or defecation;
• increased body temperature;
• marked spinal deformity.

If on the background of lumboischialgia you have found at least one “red flag” – immediately seek help from a specialist ⁵ .

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Diagnosis of lumboischialgia

Pain in the lumbar region radiating to the gluteal region and the leg (or both legs) may be a manifestation of acute lumboischialgia (lasts up to 6 weeks) and chronic (troubles more than 12 weeks ) ³ . Often it goes away on its own ⁵ , but in order for the problem not to become chronic, you need to be examined by a doctor in time and exclude serious diseases.

If you have frequent symptoms of sciatica, you should contact your general practitioner. If necessary, he will refer you to a neurologist, traumatologist, rheumatologist and other specialists ² .

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Treatment of lumboischialgia

Pain relief is one of the important tasks of the syndrome therapy ¹¹ . For this purpose, non-drug, medical and surgical methods can be used ^{8. 11} .

For symptomatic treatment of acute and chronic sciatica, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used ^4,6,11 , which relieve pain and increase the functional activity of patients ¹¹ . Motrin® is a drug from the NSAID group, the active ingredient of which is naproxen. The drug is indicated for adults and adolescents from 15 years of age with lumboischialgia as an anesthetic ⁷ .

Tablets should be taken whole (including with meals) and washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid ⁷ . To relieve the pain of sciatica, you can take as follows: starting dose – 2 tablets (500 mg), and then one tablet (250 mg) up to 4 times a day (every 8 hours). In this case, usually the daily dose used to relieve pain is 2-3 tablets (500-750 mg). It is allowed to use the drug as an anesthetic without consulting a doctor for up to 5 days. If unpleasant symptoms persist or worsen, be sure to consult a specialist ⁷ .

Non-drug methods of pain relief include ^3.8 :

• therapeutic exercises;
• manual therapy;
• acupuncture;
• massage.

If there is pain in the lower back that radiates to the leg, experts recommend maintaining physical activity and avoiding bed rest – this has a beneficial effect on the course of the pathology and helps to recover faster ^6,8,11 .

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Prevention of lumboischialgia

To prevent attacks of pain, it is important to follow the recommendations of doctors: 5 2 ;

Lumbosciatica is a problem that can affect both the elderly and young people ¹ . It indicates the resulting complications of osteochondrosis and requires careful attention ³ . With a properly organized work schedule, sufficient physical activity and timely access to a doctor, exacerbations and complications of chronic back pain can be avoided ¹¹ .

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, contact a qualified specialist.

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References

1. WHO Priority diseases and reasons for inclusion 2013 6.24 Low back pain https : //www . who . int/medicines/areas/priority_medicines/Ch6_24LBP.pdf
2. Parfenov Vladimir Anatolyevich, Golovacheva Veronika Alexandrovna Diagnosis and treatment of acute nonspecific lumbosacral pain // Therapeutic archive. 2019. No. 8. URL: https : //cyberleninka . ru/article/n/diagnostika-i-lechenie-ostroy-nespetsificheskoy-o-krpoyasnichtsovoy-boli
3. Levin O. S., Chimagomedova A.Sh., Shugurova I.M., Nikitina A.N. Modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic back pain // STPN. 2020. No. 3-4. URL: https : //cyberleninka . ru/article/n/sovremennye-podhody-k-diagnostike-i-lecheniyu-hronicheskoy-boli-v-spine
4. Shirokov Vasily Afonasevich, Potaturko A.V., Terekhov N.L. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and vitamins of group B in the treatment of lumboischialgia // Neurology, neuropsychiatry, psychosomatics. 2020. №6. URL: https : //cyberleninka . ru/article/n/nesteroidnye-protivovospalitelnye-preparaty-miorelaksanty-i-vitaminy-gruppy-v-v-lechenii-lyumboishialgii
5. Shakhabov I.V., Polishchuk N.S. Evaluation of recommendations for the appointment of magnetic resonance imaging in the provision of outpatient care in a planned form for pain at the level of the lumbar spine // ORGZDRAV: News. Opinions. Education. Vestnik VSHOUZ. 2020. No. 3 (21). URL: https://cyberleninka. ru/article/n/otsenka-rekomendatsiy-po-naznacheniyu-…
6. Parfenov Vladimir Anatolievich, Isaikin A.I., Kuzminova T.I., Chernenko O.A., Milovanova O.V., Romanova A.V., Samkhaeva N.D., Shor Yu.M. Treatment of patients with acute and subacute lumbodynia and lumboischialgia // Neurology, neuropsychiatry, psychosomatics. 2019. No. 3. URL: https : //cyberleninka . en/article/n/lechenie-patsientov-s-ostroy-i-podostroy-lyumbalgiey-i-lyumboishialgiey
7. Instructions for use of the drug MOTRIN ® tablets //Reg.number P N002874/01// GRLS RF. – URL: https : //grls . rosminzdrav . en/Grls_View_v2.aspx?routingGuid=868bad0c-d10e-47a9-b9d8-2595d9a01ac7&t=
8. Parfenov V.A., Parfenova E.V. Questions of therapy of chronic nonspecific lumbalgia // MS. 2020. No. 8. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/voprosy-terapii-hronicheskoy-nespetsif…
9. Shostak N.A., Pravdyuk N.G. Back pain and comorbidity – diagnosis, treatment tactics. Outpatient surgery. 2016;(3-4):44-50. https://www.a-surgeon.ru/jour/article/view/59
10. Vertkin A.L., Karateev A.E., Kukushkin M.L., Martynov A.I., Parfenov V.A., Yakhno N.N., Knorring G.Yu. National guidelines for the management of patients with back pain for internists and general practitioners of polyclinics. Therapy. 2018; 3 (21) https://therapy-journal.ru/ru/archive/article/36103
11. Russian Interregional Society for the Study of Pain. Clinical guidelines Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal (non-specific) pain in the lower back, 2019https : //painrussia . en/educational-programs/2020/zoom/%D0%9A%D0%A0_%D0%91%D0%A1_%D0%A0%D0%9E%D0%98%D0%91_2020_%D1%84%D0% B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BB%20(1).pdf
12. Diagnosis of viscero-vertebral and vertebro-visceral pain syndrome in lumbar osteochondrosis. Drivotinov B.V., Gamanovich A.I., Medical Journal No. 4 2012 From 46-50.
13. Big Medical Encyclopedia (BME), edited by Petrovsky B.V., 3rd edition. Spine.https : //xn--90aw5c . xn--c1avg/index . php/%D0%9F%D0%9E%D0%97%D0%92%D0%9E%D0%9D%D0%9E%D0%A7%D0%9D%D0%98%D0%9A (accessed : 05.10.2021)
14. Big Medical Encyclopedia (BME), edited by Petrovsky B.V., 3rd edition. Sciatic nerve. https : //xn--90aw5c . xn--c1avg/index . php/%D0%A1%D0%95%D0%94%D0%90%D0%9B%D0%98%D0%A9%D0%9D%D0%AB%D0%99_%D0%9D%D0% 95%D0%A0%D0%92 (date of access: 05.10.2021)
15. Frick et al. Efficacy and safety of naproxen sodium and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery. Current Therapeutic Research. 1993;54(6):619-27.

Why the back hurts and what to do about it

Likbez

Health

March 17, 2019

In most cases, pain is not dangerous. But there are symptoms that should not be ignored.

When to call an ambulance for back pain

Seek emergency medical attention if:

1. Your back hurts a lot and is accompanied by a high fever.
2. You suspect that acute back pain is related to a recent fall, blow, or other injury.
3. Back pain gets worse after eating or when you go to the toilet.

Any of these symptoms may be associated with serious, life-threatening damage to the internal organs. So don’t be afraid to overdo it.

When you need to see a doctor quickly in case of back pain

If there are no threatening signs, analyze the nature and duration of the pain, and compare them with your age and lifestyle. Be sure to report discomfort to the therapist if:

• You feel pain even when you lie down in the most comfortable position.
• The back does not allow to get enough sleep at night.
• In addition to pain, you have weakness and/or numbness in your legs or arms.
• Unpleasant sensations make themselves felt for weeks.
• Pain accompanied by weight loss.
• You are over 50 years old.
• You have osteoporosis.
• You have previously been treated for any type of cancer.
• You use steroids.
• You drink or take drugs.

These signs, either together in any combination or individually, indicate that there may be problems with your spine or internal organs.

The most common pathologies are a malignant tumor, fracture, cauda equina syndrome (the so-called damage to the nerve bundle extending from the lower spinal cord) or infection, and not necessarily the spine, but, for example, the kidneys or urinary tract.

The doctor will prescribe additional examinations and, if necessary, will treat the underlying disease.

Why your back hurts

Let’s say you don’t have dangerous symptoms, but your back still hurts – it stabs, shoots, ache, hurts. Doctors honestly admit that they cannot always determine exactly what exactly leads to pain. Here are five common reasons.

1. Muscular load

The most obvious case: you lifted something heavy, the muscles of the back (most often the lower back) overextended, there was a spasm.

Less obvious but just as popular: you just sat too much. When you sit, for example, in front of a computer, it is the back muscles that hold the bulk of the body on them. And if the sitting is delayed, they can overstrain.

By the way, this is why physiologists recommend sitting as deep as possible in a chair, leaning on its back, in order to prevent rounding of the spine.

2. Herniated discs

This is another scourge for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle. Often, sitting in a chair or on a chair, we slouch. Due to the rounding of the lower back, the load on the intervertebral discs increases by 10–11 times.

Over time, the vertebrae are pressed against each other more and more, and the discs between them are flattened and begin to protrude beyond the spinal column. This is how a hernia occurs.

Its side effect is nerve compression and back pain.

3. Colds

You are coughing and/or sneezing, and these movements are quite sharp and can also cause strain or strain in the back muscles.

4. Myalgia

This is the general term for pain in the muscles, including the back. Muscle pain can be caused by dozens of factors, including hypothermia and prolonged stress.

If you have a stressful job, in addition to being in an office chair and under the air conditioner, your chances of getting back pain increase.

5. Scoliosis

Curvature of the spine to either side also puts strain on the back muscles and can lead to pain.

What to do if your back hurts

In any case, it is worth consulting with a therapist in case you lose sight of some important symptom. But in general, modern medicine suggests that you can get rid of back pain with simple home remedies.

1. Keep moving

It used to be that bed rest helped with back pain. But it is now known that people who stay active recover faster.

2. Do simple back exercises

For example, these. Among other things, such training will strengthen your muscles and help them withstand stress.