Have you experienced back pain before? 

If you have, you know how debilitating it can be. Not only can back pain prevent you from doing what you love to do, but it also can make everyday activities and movements seem impossible.

The back is very complex and made up of your spine, several large muscles including the longissimus, iliocostalis, and spinalis, as well as small muscle, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels. It also has a lot of work to do - it supports much of our weight when walking and running, as well as most movements related to both our upper and lower body.

Although there are a number of injuries and diseases that can cause back pain, here are some of the most common:

Herniated Disc

Your spine is made up of a series of vertebrae sandwiched between discs which contain a soft interior called the nucleus surrounded by a harder exterior called the annulus. A Herniated disc occurs when the nucleus gets pushed out of the annulus, which can put pressure on the spinal nerve. It can occur anywhere along the spine, but is most commonly found in the lower back.

A herniated disc can be a result of an injury or excessive strain. It can also be a degenerative injury as a result of aging.

Muscle Strains and Ligaments Sprains 

Muscle strains and sprains are very common and can happen almost anywhere in our bodies. A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon, while a sprain is a stretching or tearing of a ligament.

Usually when it comes to a back strain, the muscles and tendons that support the spine are stretched or torn, while a back strain is caused when a ligament has a tear.

Sciatica 

Your sciatic nerve runs from the back of your pelvis and down the back of your thigh. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or compressed. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity such as numbness, mild pain or even a burning sensation felt in the low back, down the leg and even into the foot. 

Sciatica is most commonly caused by a herniated disc or a narrowing of space where the nerve exits the spine.