Top 5 Causes of Lower Back Pain
Do you feel pain in your back when you try lifting or bending? Is the pain mild or severe?
You may have difficulty completing your daily tasks if your lower back is sore. Walking, sitting, or moving about your day may be accompanied by pain. Sometimes, the pain may be mild; other times, it may be severe.
Lower back pain can be mild; it can go away without medical interventions. Sometimes, it may be chronic and result from an underlying medical condition.
This article explores the top 5 causes of lower back pain. We also discuss the best treatments and how physiotherapy in New Westminster can help.
What is Lower Back Pain?
Your lower back is the part of your back that helps you perform simple tasks like walking, working, or sleeping. An injury to your lower back can result in severe pain. Lower back pain can affect anyone, both young and old.
Fortunately, the pain may go away within a few weeks. If you feel pain even after trying at-home treatments, you should see your doctor at Cambie Physiotherapy immediately.
What Are The Risk Factors For Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is quite common and can happen to anybody. However, some people are more likely to experience the pain. You are more likely to experience lower back pain if you have any of these risk factors;
Age
The bones do not regenerate as fast as they used to when you are over 30. You are likely to experience lower back pain in your 30s. The disks wear down with age, causing pain and stiffness.
Obesity
You are likely to have lower back pain if you are obese. The extra weight adds pressure to your joints and disks. It can also cause back injury, leading to pain.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle has a significant impact on your health. If you smoke or drink excessively, you are likely to develop lower back pain. A sedentary lifestyle also increases your risk of this injury.
Occupation
Jobs and activities that require you to lift heavy objects or bend frequently can increase your risk of lower back pain.
Medical Condition
If you have a family history of arthritis or cancer, you are at risk of developing lower back pain. Structural problems like scoliosis can also change the alignment of your spine and cause back pain.
What Are The Top 5 Causes Of Lower Back Pain?
You may experience lower back pain due to any of these conditions;
Strain Or Sprain
Your lower back is made up of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If you sprain or strain these soft tissues, you can experience lower back pain.
A strain is an injury to your muscles or tendons. Strains will likely happen if you twist, bend over, sneeze, or cough.
On the other hand, a sprain is an injury to the ligaments supporting your spine. You may develop a sprain if you repeatedly lift heavy objects or do not lift safely.
Bulging Or Ruptured Disks
Your spine is made up of disks. These disks act as cushions between the bones to reduce friction. If the soft material in the disk bulges or ruptures, it can irritate your nerves and cause lower back pain. With age, you will likely develop lower back pain from bulging or ruptured disks.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition. It happens due to wear and tear and causes inflammation. You may have osteoarthritis if your lower back pain worsens when you bend or twist your back. You are likely to have this condition if you have suffered back injuries in the past. Age also contributes to osteoarthritis.
Osteoporosis
Your spine consists of bones called the vertebrae. When these bones weaken, they can crumple and collapse, resulting in lower back pain.
Your body regenerates its bones. After your early 20s, the bone regeneration process slows, increasing your risk of losing bone mass and developing osteoporosis.
You are more likely to develop osteoporosis if you have a low calcium intake, use steroids long-term, or live a sedentary lifestyle. Medical problems like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease also increase your risk of osteoporosis.
Structural Problems
Structural problems are conditions affecting your spine’s alignment. Scoliosis and spinal stenosis are structural issues that can increase your risk of lower back pain.
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. It can affect babies and adults. If you have a visibly curved spine, uneven shoulders, or lean towards one side, you likely have scoliosis.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the space inside your backbone is too small. This condition can then put pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. You may not experience any symptoms if you have spinal stenosis. And when you experience symptoms, they will get worse over time.
Your doctor can perform a physical exam to determine your structural problems.
Treatment For Lower Back Pain
The best treatment for your lower back pain will depend on the cause and severity of your pain.
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually the first line of treatment for lower back pain. You can use ibuprofen or naproxen. It is ideal to follow your prescription and dosing schedule.
You should also rest your back and limit activity. This allows your body to heal and relieve lower back pain.
Ice And Heat Therapy
Applying an ice pack to your back can reduce swelling and inflammation. When trying this treatment, put the ice pack on your lower back for 15 to 20 minutes. Do not use the ice pack for longer to prevent frostbite. You can try this treatment several times a day.
Heat therapy can stimulate blood flow, promote relaxation, and relieve pain. It is best to use this therapy 48 to 72 hours after cold therapy. During this period, your swelling will have reduced.
Do not apply direct heat sources to your skin to prevent burns when using heat therapy. Instead, wrap it in a towel before applying it to the sore area.
Stretching And Strengthening Exercises
Stretching exercises improve your flexibility while strengthening exercises strengthen your muscles. These exercises target your core muscles and the muscles supporting your spine. Doing these exercises regularly can improve your blood flow and provide pain relief. They can also prevent a recurrence of back pain.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy New Westminster is a non-invasive treatment that improves lower back pain. Your physiotherapist will recommend a suitable treatment for pain relief. Undergoing physiotherapy will restore mobility to your lower back and prevent future occurrences.
Your physiotherapist can recommend treatments like dry needling and massage to provide pain relief. You may also undergo posture retraining to help you maintain proper posture and avoid straining your back.
Your physiotherapist in Surrey will also educate you on how to prevent future occurrences of lower back pain. You will also learn lifestyle modifications to protect your back. You might undergo a weight loss program, improve ergonomics, and learn how to lift properly.
Surgery
Your doctor will recommend surgery to treat your lower back pain if other treatments fail. The cause of your pain and its severity will determine if you will undergo surgery for lower back pain.
You may still need to undergo a physiotherapy program after surgery. The program will help rehabilitate your back, strengthen your core, and restore your function.
When Should You See A Doctor For Lower Back Pain?
Pain in your lower back should get better with rest and pain medications. If the pain does not go away, you might need to see a doctor. Your condition may be serious if you are experiencing muscle spasms, tingling, weakness, or fever with back pain.
Can You Prevent Lower Back Pain?
As we have discussed, lower back pain can make your daily activities difficult. So, knowing how to prevent the situation can be ideal. However, lower back pain resulting from structural problems or medical conditions may not be easy to prevent.
Fortunately, you can reduce your risk of developing an injury that can cause lower back pain by;
Maintaining A Healthy Weight
Obesity increases your risk of lower back pain. The excess weight puts extra pressure on your vertebrae and can lead to a strain
Strengthening Your Abdominal Muscles
Your abdominal muscles or core support your spine. Strengthening these muscles can reduce your likelihood of a back injury. YOu can try out pilates, planks, and other exercise programs to strengthen your core
Lift Properly
Improper lifting can sprain your back. When lifting, use your legs. You should also avoid twisting your torso while you are lifting. Also, hold heavy items close to your body.
Conclusion
Lower back pain can go away on its own. But if you notice other accompanying symptoms, it is best to seek immediate medical help. Delaying treatment can worsen your condition and lead to deformities.
Back pain may result from sprains, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, or structural problems. Your doctor can diagnose your condition and prescribe appropriate treatment.
You can also seek physiotherapy in Richmond. Your physiotherapist will assess your condition and create a treatment plan that addresses your condition and the pain.