Again ache may really feel like a type of inescapable issues that may occur if you grow old—or simply whereas dwelling your life generally. Who hasn’t attributed the occasional pang or jab to sleeping in a bizarre place, slouching at a desk for eight hours, or lurching to seize one thing off the ground in a barely wonky manner?

However not all aching stems from strains, sprains, or spasms (as these examples above can generally result in); it may also be associated to some kind of arthritis in your backbone. And whereas the time period “arthritis” may lead you to consider it’s one thing that solely impacts people who find themselves a sure age—say, people over 50—it’s value chatting with a doc in case you’ve been coping with the aching for some time or you could have different signs alongside it (no matter how previous you’re), specialists say. Listed here are six varieties of arthritis that may trigger again points—and what you’ll doubtless discover when you have one.

1. Osteoarthritis

Put on and tear from growing old, overuse, or an damage, could cause our joint tissues to interrupt down, which may result in ache and stiffness—a.ok.a. osteoarthritis (OA). Whilst you is likely to be extra accustomed to the hand or knee varieties, OA—which is the commonest kind of arthritis—can have an effect on your decrease again, particularly the discs of tissue between vertebrae. Some individuals are extra prone to cope with it than others, together with in case you’re over 50, previous menopause, or have had an damage or surgical procedure up to now.

What you’ll most likely discover: OA is a mechanical, or structural, kind of arthritis, Nilanjana Bose, MD, a rheumatologist at Lonestar Rheumatology in Houston, Texas, tells SELF, which suggests there’s an precise bodily damage to the decrease again.¹ That is against inflammatory arthritis, which is brought on by an overactive immune system and has some barely completely different signs (which we’ll speak about in a minute). This implies you may really feel stiffness or swelling if you transfer your again in a sure manner (say, lifting a giant field) or after you’ve been nonetheless for some time (like proper if you get up).

2. Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis, one other widespread mechanical arthritis, tends to go hand-in-hand with OA. Because the cartilage between vertebrae wears down, your physique does its greatest to restore the issue by creating tiny bony growths close to the broken space. Sadly, as an alternative of serving to the scenario, this may put a variety of strain in your backbone and the encircling nerves, resulting in sharp ache and stiffness, Dr. Bose says. In case you’re in a gaggle extra prone to develop OA, your possibilities of having spinal stenosis may go up, too.

What you’ll most likely discover: Whereas achiness from this situation can occur wherever in your again, if these growths are greater up your backbone, you may really feel some tingling in your shoulder or arm. In the event that they’re decrease down, your legs may turn into numb or barely achy. You would even get a burning sensation by means of your butt that worsens when standing or strolling—however will get higher when leaning barely ahead.

3. Axial spondyloarthritis

There are two completely different sorts of any such arthritis: radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (additionally known as ankylosing spondylitis or AS) and nonradiographic axSpA. Each are inflammatory and might damage your backbone. Nobody actually is aware of why each develops (irritating, proper?!), however some specialists consider that genes or publicity to viruses or micro organism is likely to be accountable. This one is fairly uncommon general: It solely pops up in someplace between 9 and 30 out of 10,000 folks. If somebody does have it, they could begin having signs of their 20s and 30s.