The spinal column consists of a series of small bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra is an area of soft tissue called a disc, which acts as a cushion. When a disc becomes herniated, or slipped, it sticks out and causes pressure on the nerves near the backbone.

Back pain can strike anyone, at any point in life. In the U.S., it is the most frequent excuse for missed work and the most common pain complaint. If you have concrete flooring at your job or home, the etiology of your back pain could stem from walking on those hard floors.

Lower back pain can be caused by tweaked muscles or strain to the SI joint and lower back fascia. The muscles of the lower back can often be injured if the core isn't strong enough, or the hands aren't placed behind the tail bone during leg raises.

In the 2010 edition of "Williams' Obstetrics," Dr. F. Gary Cunningham, chief of obstetrics for Encino-Tarzana Medical Center, reports that about 30 percent of births in the United States occur by Cesarean section.

If you’ve just received a chiropractic adjustment, chances are you felt some improvement in your body's function, but a sudden movement of your head might trigger a sudden sense of vertigo. This abnormal sensation, which differs from ordinary dizziness, makes you feel as though either you or the room is moving.

Many people are drawn to the idea of hanging upside down to relieve back pain or improve posture, which it can. Always, however, ease into hanging upside down. Use an inversion table, which allows you to control the degree to which you invert.

Most lower back pain results from strained muscles or ligaments, and though often painful, usually resolves on its own. Structural problems in the spine, such as herniated discs, sometimes require surgical intervention.

Retrolisthesis is a relatively rare degenerative spinal disc condition that originates in the lower area of the spine. The condition may cause lower back and lower extremity pain in some cases.

The deadlift is an advanced weightlifting technique to improve both upper- and lower-body strength. A tight lower back after deadlifts can occur for several reasons, and not all of them are beneficial. Learn how to assess your lower back tightness after deadlifts to improve performance and prevent further injury.

Heel pain may be a common complaint, but it should not be ignored. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, most heel pain will resolve on its own, if given enough rest. Most posterior heel pain, or pain in the back of the heel, is the result of overuse, over training and improper footwear.

Rowing is very hard on the back. More lower back injuries are reported from rowing than other body part. Upper arm kinks are nothing compared to a lower back strain. In order to protect your back, you need to learn and follow proper rowing form.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a painful condition in which the spinal canal in the lower back narrows, pinching the spinal cord and its surrounding nerves. This can cause difficulty walking or standing up straight, numbness or tingling in the areas below the pinch, and, in extreme cases, weakness in the legs.