It isn’t always possible to identify the cause of back pain but it's rarely anything serious.
Most back pain is what is known as "non-specific" (there's no obvious cause) or "mechanical" (the pain originates from the joints, bones or soft tissues in and around the spine).
This type of back pain:
- tends to get better or worse depending on your position – for example, it may feel better when sitting or lying down
- often feels worse when moving – although it's not a good idea to avoid moving your back completely, as this can make things worse
- can develop suddenly or gradually
- is sometimes the result of poor posture or lifting something awkwardly, but often happens for no apparent reason
- may be caused by a minor injury such as a sprain or pulled muscle
- can be associated with feeling stressed or run down
- will usually start to get better within a few weeks
It is therefore important to continue to keep moving as much as possible, perhaps going for short walks and doing regular gentle stretching during the day. It is also really important to do gentle exercise that strengthens the core muscles to help keep the spine stable and strong.
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