Back pain. Almost everyone has had some type of experience with it. It can be excruciating and chronic for some sufferers, while others only have back pain occasionally and are able to carry on their normal daily routines. Back pain may come about after lifting something heavy or after a simple trip and fall. In some cases, it begins with no obvious cause and gradually gets worse over time.

Who’s at Risk for Back Pain?

Back pain does not discriminate. Anyone at any age can find themselves suffering from back pain. There are some things that may put you at greater risk for having back pain:

• The aging process: Back pain is seen more often in people over the age of 30 or 40 years.
• Not being in good shape physically: If the muscles that support the spine and back are weak, you may find yourself with back pain. This is also true of the abdominal muscles.
• It’s inherited: Certain types of arthritis and other genetic health conditions are often seen to run in families
• Smoking: We all hear that smoking is bad for your lungs. Did you know it is also bad for the discs located in your spine? This can cause back pain.
• Working at a physical job: If you work at a job that requires you to lift heavy objects, twist and turn, or pushing and pulling items, you will probably develop back pain at one time or another.

The Surprising Underlying Cause of Back Pain

It may sound odd, but back pain can often be related to a problem of the upper cervical spine, particularly the top two bones of the neck, the C1 and C2 vertebrae. If these bones are misaligned, they can cause the rest of the body to compensate for the problem.  Your head may tilt forward, along with your hips and shoulders. This leads to abnormal muscle spasms and tension in your lower and middle back. Signals going to the brain about what is happening in the body can be compromised as well.

Correcting the misalignment by using a gentle method, instead of popping or cracking the neck or spine, can lead to healing and restoration of normal alignment. This often alleviates the stress being put on the muscles of the back, leading to relief of back pain.

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if you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.