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Some people's spines are not adapted to upright posture
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Recently, an article appeared in one of the scientific publications, in which scientists reveal the secret of the origin of back pain in humans. As it turns out, the reason is that humans too quickly (by evolutionary standards) switched to walking upright and the spine could not adapt to this position.
After a series of studies, Canadian scientists concluded that the pain occurs due to the similarity of the anatomical structure of the vertebrae of humans and monkeys (an ancient ancestor of humans, according to Darwin's theory).
It is known that humans suffer from back pain several times more often than primates. The most common disease is intervertebral hernia (accounts for up to 70% of cases).
The head of the new research project, Simon Fraser, and his colleagues observed the lifestyle of primates, and also studied the structure of the vertebrae of more than a hundred people, chimpanzees and orangutans using computer tomography. After comparing the results of the tomography, the specialists identified Schmorl's nodes (pathological changes in the intervertebral discs) and 54 people. the vertebrae in which the pathology appeared were visually very similar to the vertebrae of primates. Based on their research, the specialists concluded that people suffering from back pain, like primates, are not adapted to walking on two legs
Experts explained that the process of transformation of a monkey into a human (i.e. the transition from moving on four legs to walking on two legs) was quite fast. Over several thousand decades, not all individuals' spines adapted to moving on two legs, and the structure of some vertebrae in such people remained practically unchanged. Due to physiological characteristics, the spine bears a huge load as a result of walking upright, because of this, most people have back problems, as scientists believe, such people find it easier to imitate the habits of monkeys (moving on all fours), and they are more likely to have herniated discs.
The experts also noted that the study involved only English people who lived only in the last thousand years. Now the scientists are planning to conduct a new study and involve more people from other countries in it.
Another study found that people with insomnia are one and a half times more likely to experience back pain. However, lack of sleep does not cause painful sensations, but increases the risk of its occurrence. During the study, the economic status of a person, lifestyle were analyzed and as a result, scientists found that more than 60% of people who also had sleep disorders suffer from back pain. Also, specialists found a complete lack of inverse correlation, i.e. back pain did not affect whether a person could fall asleep or not.
Experts have suggested that the pain threshold of people who suffer from insomnia does not decrease, in addition, stressful situations can increase the risk of back pain. Due to the fact that a person experiences anxiety, worry, and excitement for a long time, the muscles are in constant tension, which causes pain.