What Is Mechanical Back Pain?
Mechanical back pain is the most common type of back pain. It comes from the spine's everyday moving parts — discs, joints, muscles, and ligaments — rather than infection, diseaseor nerve damage.
It typically worsens with bending, prolonged sitting or standingor heavy lifting, and eases with rest or a position change.
Symptoms
Dull ache or stiffness that builds through the day
Pain that increases with movement, eases with rest
Muscle spasms and reduced flexibility
Discomfort that shifts with posture
Main Causes
It usually develops from gradual wear rather than a single injury. The two leading causes — degenerative disc disease and facet joint arthropathy — are covered on the following pages. Other contributors include:
- Muscle strain from lifting, twistingor overuse
- Poor posture and weak core muscles
- Excess body weight and a sedentary lifestyle
Who's at Risk?
Risk rises with age, physically demanding work, prolonged sitting, extra body weight, and weak core strength.
Most cases improve with rest, movement, and lifestyle changes — surgery is rarely needed.
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