What are the Most Common Causes of Back Fatigue?

Back fatigue, or a feeling of weakness or tiredness in the back, is common among both active and sedentary people for different reasons. In active people, back fatigue is common after strenuous activities, such as sports, and in more sedentary people, back fatigue is common because of muscle atrophy or lack of use. In either case, back fatigue can be indicative of or the cause of more severe problems that can lead to muscle decay, injury, or other health problems.

Muscles can become weaker due to inactivity. If muscles are not stretched or used, the muscle becomes smaller and weaker, and tissue begins to break down. This process can lead to back pain, which can further discourage exercise and movement. Back fatigue may happen as a result of muscle loss, as the muscles are apt to tire quickly when they are weaker, just like any other muscle in the body.

Joint stiffness and pain can also cause back fatigue. When joints in the body become weakened or painful, that joint will move differently than it normally does. This will cause the rest of the body to move in an unnatural manner, causing muscles throughout the body to strain and fatigue. Back muscles are particularly susceptible to such unnatural movement, and the muscles in the back may tire quickly under such strain. This movement may lead to more severe problems, such as muscle strains, cramps, and tears.

In more active people, back fatigue can happen as a result of many different conditions. Overuse of certain muscles can cause fatigue or pain, which can lead to strains or tears in the muscles. Repeated movement of certain muscles can cause back fatigue, and as lactic acid builds up in the muscles, one might feel aches, stiffness, or soreness throughout the back. While this is not necessarily a harmful condition, it can lead to serious problems if one does not stretch or otherwise properly recover from the physical activity.

Pressure points may trigger fatigue in the back due to stress or anxiety. Medical conditions such as fibromyalgia can be a cause of discomfort; this condition is a painful response to pressure points throughout the body. Stress or anxiety can also cause strain and fatigue; as one becomes stressed, the body tends to tense up, putting undue strain on a variety of muscles. Prolonged strain can lead to a feeling of fatigue or weakness in the back, legs, neck, and shoulder.