What is lower back discomfort? Low back pain is caused by a variety of injuries, diseases, or conditions. Most commonly, it’s a result of an injury to the muscles or tendons.
Pain can be mild or severe. Pain can sometimes make it impossible to sleep, walk, work, or perform everyday tasks.
Rest, pain relievers, and physical therapy can usually help lower back pain. Injections of cortisone and other treatments, such as osteopathic and chiropractic manipulations, can help relieve pain and speed up the healing process. Some back conditions and injuries require surgery.
What is the prevalence of lower back pain?
Four out of five people will experience lower back pain in their lifetime. It’s the number one reason people seek medical attention.
Lower back pain is more common in some people than others. Risk factors for lower back pain include:
Age: People older than 30 are more likely to suffer from back pain. Age causes the disks (soft, elastic tissue that cushions the vertebrae) to wear out. Pain and stiffness may result as the disks wear out and weaken.
Weight: People who are overweight/obese or have extra weight are more likely than others to experience back pain. Weight gain puts pressure on disks and joints.
General health: Weakened ab muscles cannot support the spine. This can lead to back strains and sprains. Smokers, people who drink excessively, or those with a sedentary lifestyle are at a greater risk for back pain.
Lifestyle and occupation: Jobs or activities that require heavy lifting and bending may increase your risk of back injury.
Structural Problems: Back pain is often caused by conditions such as scoliosis that alter spine alignment.
Diseases: People with a family history of osteoarthritis or certain types of cancer are at a greater risk for low back pain.
What causes lower back discomfort?
Lower back pain can be caused by many injuries, diseases, and conditions. Lower back pain can be caused by:
Back strains, sprains, and tears: The most common causes of back pain are lifting something too heavy, or lifting it incorrectly, which can cause injury to muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Sneezing and coughing can cause back strain.
Fractures: The spine’s bones can be broken in an accident such as a car crash, or by a fall. Fractures are more likely to occur if you have certain conditions, such as spondylolysis and osteoporosis.
Problems with disks: Disks are used to cushion the vertebrae. The disks may bulge out of their place in the spine, pressing on a spinal nerve. They can also rupture (herniated disc). As they age, the disks become flatter and less protective (degenerative disc disease).
Structural problems: A condition called spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column becomes too narrow to accommodate the spinal cord. A pinching of the spinal cord may cause sciatica and lower back pain. Scoliosis or curvature of the spine can cause pain and stiffness.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis causes lower back pain more than any other type of arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that causes back pain and inflammation.
Disease: Back pain can be caused by spine tumors. Back pain can also be caused by other conditions. These conditions include renal stones and abdominal aneurysms.
Spondylolisthesis: This condition is caused by the vertebrae of the spine slipping out of position. Spondylolisthesis causes lower back pain and sometimes leg pain.
This article was written by Florida pain management doctors at Florida Medical Pain Management. Florida Medical Pain Management is proud to offer comprehensive pain management services to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.
