If you’re anything like me, your back seems to hurt all the time. Ever since I started college I’ve noticed that my back hurts almost regularly. While back pain can be a sign of more serious issues, it could be caused by culprits you might not have considered. Check out some of them below:

1. Your mattress

The Harvard Health Publications asserts that “choosing the right mattress is essential for managing low back pain. It can make the difference in whether you can sleep at night and function the next day.”

I’ve had my mattress for a while now (I’m talking five years, plus) and I’m almost sure it’s a primary reason for my back pain.

Read the full article here for more info: http://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-type-of-ma...

2. Lack of exercise

Being inactive can trigger back pain, according to WebMD.

Before I graduated from high school I worked out every day (in gym class of course) and took dance classes a couple days a week. Since then, I haven’t been nearly as active and unfortunately my back reminds me.

Berkley Wellness breaks things down further here: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/fitness/injury-pre...

3. Your posture

Surely, we’ve all heard this one before and it might sound like an easy fix. As a chronic sloucher, I always have to keep my posture in mind.

Check out Harvard Health’s tips for good posture: http://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-ways-to-turn-...

4. Your eating habits

An Elle.com article from earlier this year reported this issue, ”Dr. Sinett says you can't pinpoint what back pain caused by diet feels like, exactly–it could range from severe lower back pain to a chronic aching neck. He notes that the science connecting diet and back pain applies to all levels of discomfort, concluding that eating a large amount of inflammatory food (more on that below) can cause muscles to contract without relaxing.”

Of course, most body related issues always point to what goes into our bodies.

Check out the full article here: http://www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness/a33556/n...

5. Your period

Unfortunately, for some ladies out there, back pain can be one of many menstrual symptoms that may pay you a monthly visit. A Huffington Post article sites it as "referred pain," contractions in the uterus that radiate through the nerves in the pelvic region.

Read the full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/period-lower-b...

Regardless of the source, paying the chiropractor a visit would likely help us all.