A car accident or other serious trauma, like a fall, are likely causes of back pain. But the pain can develop from a variety of sources that are not quite so obvious. Here are a few of the conditions that can play a role in creating back pain:

Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord. It’s a condition often caused by arthritis. In the narrowed chamber, pressure can build on the spinal cord.

Herniated disc: Between each vertebra — the individual bones that make up the spine — is a cushioning pillow called a disc. When the disc is herniated, or ruptured, material from inside the disc can push out and put pressure on a nerve. This problem generally occurs in the lower back.

Stress: it can make muscles tense and can cause pain.

Sciatica: a shooting, stabbing pain that runs down the leg. A disc pressing against the sciatic nerve is usually the cause.

Spondylitis: chronic back pain and stiffness caused by infection or inflammation of the spinal joints.

Spondylosis: a kind of arthritis caused by degeneration of the spine that comes with age. Osteoporosis: a loss of bone density that can lead to fractures of the vertebrae and other bones.

These are just some of the factors that can cause back pain. Talk with your chiropractor about ways to protect your back and to treat back pain, if necessary.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com