Lower Back Pain: 11 Possible Causes, Treatment And When To See A Doctor
Lower back pain is one of the most common problems that people of all age groups deal with at some point in their lives. If left untreated, it can go on to become a major disability. However, it is important to note that not all back pains are a sign of something dangerous in your body. That is why people take it lightly when they first begin to experience nagging lower back pain. For most people, this issue can resolve on its own after some time. However, for others, it can point towards an underlying illness.
There can be a variety of lower back pain reasons. In other words, this pain can arise due to a number of different issues and vary greatly from person to person. In order to resolve lower back pain, you need to first understand what is causing the pain in the first place. Let us find out.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Human spinal cord, Credit: Canva
The pain can occur because of disk herniation. It is a condition in which the soft cushion of the spinal disc leaks and puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. It leads you to experience pain in this part of the back.
When your facet joints, i.e., the joints located behind the spinal discs swell then they will cause you a similar pain like the one described above. You will also experience a reduction in the flexibility of your spine.
When the passage between your spinal cord and nerves starts to narrow, you experience a condition called spinal stenosis. It causes your nerves to come under pressure, resulting in pain.
Another cause of lower back pain is sacroiliac joint dysfunction. It refers to the damaging of the weight-bearing joints that are responsible for absorbing any shock that occurs between the two areas of your body,i.e., the upper and the lower. Any inflammation in these joints will result in pain.
Compression fracture which arises due to age factor when the bones become weak is another cause of lower back pain.
The sliding of one vertebra over another which is commonly referred to as spondylolisthesis also causes pain in the lower back.
Tumour in the spinal cord also can lead to pain in the lower back region. As it progresses, it puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. It results in you experiencing pain.
Deterioration of the cartilage or osteoarthritis leads you to experience pain your lower back. As a result of this condition, your joints will get inflamed and you will feel pain. Osteoarthritis can also affect your spine.
If you have had a nasty fall or an accident then your back experiences a trauma which can only be treated after availing medical help. This condition also causes extreme lower back pain. Consulting to pain doctor texarkana is recommended.
Spinal deformities like scoliosis will result in lower back pain especially if it is left untreated.
Certain types of infection like osteomyelitis can also cause pain in the lower back. There are some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus that may result in the same. However, these infections are very rare.
What Can I Do to Relieve My Lower Back Pain?
Woman stretching, Credit: Canva
Engage in activities that boost the levels of the hormone called endorphin in your body. Endorphins are ‘feel good’ hormones that obstruct the signals of pain to register in your brain. They also reduce conditions like depression and stress which may arise when one is suffering from prolonged back pain.
Get a full night’s sleep in order to minimize your back pain from deteriorating. When you get a 7-8 hours sleep it will allow your body’s tissues to recover and you will find an improvement in your energy levels.
The lower back is supported by your abs and back muscles. Since they are not much put to use on an average day, they need to be strengthened through exercise. Just 20 minutes of strengthening exercises can significantly reduce your lower back pain.
Every pain signal is registered in the brain which makes you experience it. By engaging in activities like meditation and mindfulness, you can train your brain to ignore the pain signals and thus experience less pain.
Tight hamstring muscles will put your lower back under stress. It will deteriorate your pain. Take some time out to engage in stretching exercises that target hour hamstring.
How Do I Know If My Back Pain Is Serious?
Man feeling pain in the back, Credit: Canva
When should I be worried about lower back pain? It is a question that many people who deal with it wonder. You should consult your doctor if you are experiencing the following:
Fever above 38 degree Celsius
Sudden weight loss
Inflammation of the back
Chronic back pain
Leg pain especially in the area of your calves
Injury-related traumatic pain
A complete loss of control over the bladder
Inability to urinate normally
Inability to pass bowel movements
Tingling or numbness in your buttocks or genitals
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