“Why Does My Back Hurt When…” – Possible Back Problems Based On When Pain Occurs
Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
We get a lot of questions in our office about spine pain, and a lot of the questions have similar origins. A lot of the questions start with phrases like “Why does my back hurt when I…” or “My back hurts when I…” or something along those lines. People want to know why their back hurts after exercise, in the morning, or when they raise their arms. Today, we provide some general answers to what might be causing your pain based on what actions cause it to hurt.
Why Does My Back Hurt?
It’s worth noting that these are just potential medical issues based on common symptoms, and this should not be relied upon for a fool-proof self-diagnosis. Always visit a spine specialist if you are having serious issue or if you just want to get to the bottom of spine pain. With that in mind, here are some potential problems based on common phrases about pain.
Why Does My Back Hurt In The Morning?
Oftentimes back pain in the morning is a symptom of muscle tightness or imbalance in certain spinal structures. Stretching in the morning and targeted exercise routines can help strengthen these muscles and prevent pain in the morning.
Why Does My Back Hurt When Seated?
This is a common question we hear from individuals who work at a desk all week. They assume since they aren’t active, they shouldn’t be experiencing back pain. However, staying seated for a long time can actually be very taxing on your spine. Improper seated positioning, like craning your head forward or slumping in your chair can stress and strain spinal structures. Moreover, staying in a seated position for hours on end can disrupt healthy blood flow, which can contribute to spasms or disc problems. Try to get up and walk around for a couple of minutes every hour, and find time to work in regular exercise when you’re off the clock.
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Sneeze?
Sneezing puts acute force on many spinal structures, so it’s not uncommon for people to say sneezing can trigger their back pain. A sneeze can cause a muscle strain or a herniated disc, or it can cause pain from a different underlying issue. Although you can’t always do a lot to prevent a sneeze, try not to bend forward during the sneeze, as this puts more stress on your back. If pain only occurs when you sneeze, it’s probably just a minor muscle or nerve compression issue, but if it leads to long lasting pain, you’ll want to have a doctor look it over.
Why Does My Back Hurt Why Lying Down?
If your back pain seems to increase when you lay down, you may be dealing with ankylosing spondylitis. This condition is a form of arthritis that causes chronic back pain which flares up while lying down or with inactivity. A doctor can help set you up with treatment options if pain gets worse when you lay down.
Why Does My Back Hurt After Running Or Exercise?
Exercise is a great way to keep your spine in shape, but it can also contribute to pain if you’re not careful. Microtrauma can occur in your spine when running, and over the years that can lead to disc degeneration. Some degeneration is normal, but if it’s causing pain to the point it’s inhibiting your run, talk to your doctor. If back pain appears when lifting weights, make sure you aren’t overly focused on one area of your health. Only focusing on your legs or your arms can lead to problems in your core, which can contribute to back problems.
Are you experiencing back pain during another activity? Drop Dr. Sinicropi a line in the comments and he can help explain why you might be having pain.
