Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain causes are many and varied

Some of the possible causes of lower back pain are;

• Pulled muscles or torn ligaments
• Sciatica caused by herniated disks
• Disk degeneration
• Stenosis of the spine
• Gynecological conditions
• Obesity

Fortunately, many lower back pain causes can be identified and treated quickly and effectively, bringing swift relief to the affected area, but others may require long and drawn-out treatment, with symptoms lasting for many months.

If you’ve ever suffered from lower back pain, you’ll know how debilitating, and excruciatingly painful, it can be. The most simple of tasks can become major undertakings, and even walking a few steps can take an age.

Let’s take a look at the above lower back pain causes individually,

Pulled Muscles

It may not surprise you to learn that most cases of lower back pain are caused by lower muscle or ligament damage. More often than not, pulled muscles and torn ligaments are caused by over-exercising, lifting an object with the incorrect posture, twisting the back awkwardly, or even just moving the ‘wrong’ way. The most simple of actions, such as getting out of a car, can cause a muscle or ligament to become damaged – particularly if a person’s body is stiff and unyielding to begin with.

Of course, muscles and ligaments are designed to stretch to a certain extent, but when they are over-stretched, they can tear, and this is where the problems start.

When a muscle or ligament is damaged, the area around it becomes inflamed. Most often, the sufferer will know immediately that they have injured themselves, as the pain will be intense and immediate.

That said, it’s quite possible for damage to occur to the lower back without being immediately apparent, and although it may cause a momentary sharp pain, this will then recede, leaving the sufferer with no more than a dull ache.

However, later on – very often after a person has been resting – the pain will start in earnest as the person begins to move around and the muscles starts to contract and spasm around the inflamed area, causing extreme discomfort. Ironically, for this type of injury, complete rest for a day or two is often very effective in helping to relieve the symptoms, but relief can also be achieved with the application of heat or cold packs, anti-inflammatory medication, muscle rub, or massage.

Sciatica Caused by Herniated Disks
Sciatica is a condition which is typically caused by the compression of one or both of the sciatic nerves, resulting in inflammation, swelling and pain, ranging from slight to severe. As painful as this condition can be, thankfully, most often, only one side of the body is affected.

The disks in the spine help to keep the vertebrae separate, and are made from resilient cartilage, with a gel-like substance in the center – in keeping the vertebrae apart, they help to keep the spine protected.

However, should they become damaged for some reason, and the inner substance bulges out, it will create pressure against the spinal canal, which in turn, compresses the nerve roots, causing Sciatica. This type of damage to the disk causes them to become what is called “herniated”.

There are many treatments which can help to ease this condition, and as with many lower back pain causes, some of the most effective treatments are anti-inflammatory medication, steroids and gentle exercises which can help to relieve the nerve compression.

Disk Degeneration

Degeneration of the disks usually only occurs as the body ages, and the disks between the vertebrae lose much of their natural ‘sponginess’, becoming flatter. Over time, general wear and tear can cause the outer shell of the disk to become thinner and less resilient, and – similar to Sciatica – the inner gel-like substance can begin to protrude from the disk casing. Furthermore, the disks themselves may start to crumble.

When disks degenerate in such a way, surgery will most likely be the recommended treatment, as it is crucial that they are removed completely to ensure that they do not cause further, more serious or permanent nerve damage.

Stenosis of the Spine

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spine, most often caused by the natural degeneration process of the body as it ages.

Thickened ligaments, osteoarthritis and disk degeneration can all cause stenosis of the spine, usually in the cervical (neck) region, or the lumbar (lower back) region, which can cause pressure against the spinal cord and the nerves in the affected area.

When this condition occurs in the lower back, general pain and weakness in the legs, cramps, and loss of sensation in the feet can be experienced, along with bladder and bowel problems.

In certain instances, epidural injections can be very effective in helping to reduce the symptoms, although more extreme cases may require surgery to ease the pressure against the spinal cord and the nerves to bring relief.

Gynecological Conditions

Gynecological conditions which may cause lower back pain include;

Pre-menstrual syndrome
Endometriosis
Some sexually transmitted diseases
Urinary infections
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Fibroids

Although other symptoms will also be experienced, all of these can cause pain in the lower back region, ranging from a sharp pain to a dull ache. Treatment varies, depending on the condition.

Obesity

In recent years, obesity has become one of the most prevalent lower back pain causes.

Although carrying too much extra weight can put a strain on the whole body – organs and skeleton alike – the lower back can suffer from tremendous pressure, as the lower spinal area is compressed, resulting in discomfort, lower back pain and possible damage.

Weight loss is by far the best way to relieve lower back pain caused by obesity, but in the short-term, a low-impact exercise regime, some gentle stretching exercises and improved posture should help to ease the symptoms.

Conclusion

These are just some of the possible causes of lower back pain – there are many more.

These days, there is no need to suffer with lower back pain, as in the vast majority of cases, it can be treated very successfully.

However, it’s important not to self-diagnose the cause of back pain, and that a health professional is consulted for an accurate diagnosis, and the most appropriate treatment. Likewise, with an exercise regime – make sure that it is suitable for you before you embark upon it.


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