Back and joint pain – a cross that almost all of us have to bear.
Back and joint complaints are among the most common degenerative illnesses of the musculoskeletal system. A significant percentage of people suffer from constant back pain. Initially, the pain occurs intermittently, with the length and intensity of the state of pain increasing each time. If untreated, back pain develops into a chronic ailment for the vast majority of patients.
Back and joint complaints are among the most common causes of recurrent or chronic pain. Whereas degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis, is largely a problem occurring in later years, back pain often occurs at younger ages.
Typical causes of the common ailment of back pain.
Back pain may not always be a result of our modern lifestyle, but it usually is. One-sided posture and incorrect load distribution at work or leisure weaken the muscles in the back and cause them to tense up. Particularly susceptible are people who work sitting down or do sedentary tasks. Stress and nervous tension can also lead long term to painful tension in the back muscles. Other common causes of back pain are congenital malformation, wear of the vertebral joints (osteoarthritis), spinal disk problems and being overweight.
Most common cause of painful joints: osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs through wear of the joint cartilage. Loss of the protective layers of cartilage leads to the joint bones coming into direct contact. The constant rubbing of the bones against each other causes their inner surfaces to become roughened. Inflammations can periodically develop in the damaged joints. Most people develop osteoarthritis in later years. Osteoarthritis becomes pathological if it is excessively intense and/or develops earlier than usual. Particular factors that may increase the risk of osteoarthritis at an early age are: accidents, difficult to heal broken bones, uneven or incorrect loading, physical strain (heavy work, being severely overweight) or congenital malpositioning of the joints.
Move to fight pain
Symptoms of wear of the musculoskeletal system are generally irreversible. However, there is no reason to worry, since effective methods of treatment can relieve the condition and slow down the progress of the damage. Treatment focuses on a combination of appropriate exercise and pain-relieving medication. Often physical exercise can only be done once pain has been sufficiently eliminated. Effective treatments for dealing with chronic back pain and osteoarthritis include physical methods (heat treatment, massages), relaxation exercises (yoga, autogenic training) and physical exercise (gymnastics, swimming, cycling).
