Lower back pain can be a debilitating condition that affects the lumbar area of the spine between the ribs and pelvis. As the leading cause of disability worldwide, lower back pain affects many people, often without an obvious injury or condition.
Though lower back pain often goes away on its own, sometimes the underlying condition requires medical treatment, such as medication, physical therapy or even surgery. But in order to get the best treatment for your condition, you have to know what’s causing that pain.
9 common causes of lower back pain
It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the causes of lower back pain. However, there are a number of things that could be causing your discomfort:
Arthritis — Many different types of arthritis can cause lower back pain. Osteoarthritis can develop over time and slowly degenerate the cartilage between vertebrae, causing pain. Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammation-based type of arthritis that can cause lower back pain and stiffness from the fusing of the bones in the spine. Rheumatoid arthritis generally does not cause lower back pain, though lower back pain can occur alongside it.
Fractures — A sudden impact can crack the spinal bones and cause extreme lower back pain. Intense injuries such as being in a car crash or getting hurt in a contact sport can cause the bones in the lumbar spine to fracture or even break. A specific stress fracture known as spondylolysis is common in young athletes specifically.
Injured disc — Flexible discs in your spine act as a cushion between vertebrae to protect them from sudden impacts. However, those discs can get damaged and cause lower back pain. These discs can bulge and press against the spinal column, causing a pinched nerve. They can also tear or rupture, causing a herniated disc. These issues may cause lower back pain, but not always.
Menstruation — Menstruation can cause lower back pain or cramps in the lower back region for some people. Usually, this isn’t an indication of a larger problem. However, if your lower back pain during menstruation is severe, it can be a sign of endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
Osteoporosis — Lower back pain is highly common among people with osteoporosis. This condition can cause the bones to become weak and brittle, and if those bones break, it can cause extreme pain in the lower back.
Pregnancy — Some women experience lower back pain during pregnancy. This occurs most often in the second and third trimesters and can be caused by hormonal changes, a shift in the center of gravity or increased weight from pregnancy. Pain and discomfort in the lower back can also occur during labor.
Spinal issues — Certain structural issues along the spinal cord can cause lower back pain. Vertebral bone spurs can pinch the spinal cord and cause extreme lower back pain along the sciatic nerve. If a vertebra dislodges and rests directly on the vertebra below, it can cause pain in the spinal cord. Lumbar scoliosis can cause the lower back to curve unnaturally, causing pain.
Strains and sprains — A strained muscle or tendon or a sprained ligament can cause extreme pain in the lower back. This is one of the most common lower back injuries and can result from sudden twisting, bending, heavy lifting, or even coughing or sneezing. People who have jobs that require a lot of heavy lifting or who use poor body mechanics while doing physical tasks are more likely to experience a strain or sprain in their lower back.
Other diseases — Numerous diseases or conditions can cause lower back pain, including infections, tumors, kidney stones, fibromyalgia or some types of cancer.
There are many causes and conditions that may result in lower back pain. Talk to your doctor about getting a formal diagnosis for your symptoms.
How to treat lower back pain
To find the most effective treatment, it’s important to know the underlying cause of your lower back pain. However, there are some things you can do to help treat your day-to-day symptoms effectively.
Practice good posture.
Exercise with low-impact cardio.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers.
Wear supportive shoes.
Improve your sleep hygiene.
Use cold and heat packs.
These practices aren’t cure-alls for lower back pain, but they can help manage your symptoms. For ongoing or chronic conditions, physical therapy may be the answer for you.
At KC Rehab, our team is dedicated to helping you improve your life and your mobility. Our experts can work with you to develop a physical therapy treatment plan to address your pain and help you get back to living life the way you want. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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