Lower Back Pain

Overview

Lower back pain is rapidly becoming a common cause for visits to the doctor. According to NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke), the pain associated with lower back is one of the most common causes of job-related disability. Recent research points out that at least 80% of Americans will experience lower back pain in their lifetimes. So, what are lower back pain symptoms and causes?

Symptoms

Symptoms of lower back pain vary depending on the nature and the place of the pain. For instance, severe or aching pain in the lower back (which normally starts after sudden movement or lifting of a heavy object) has the following symptoms:

  • Muscle spasms that can be severe
  • Pain that tends to be dull and achy
  • Pain that moves around your groin, upper thigh or buttocks, but rarely moves below the knee
  • Local soreness upon touch
  • Difficulty moving that can be severe enough to prevent standing or walking

Another category of lower back pain is chronic lower back pain, which is often worsened by certain movements and conditions. Its symptoms include the following:

  • Frequent changing of position to relieve pain
  • Pain is worsened by sitting
  • Chronic pain that can range from nagging to severe

Also, there is the deep ache in the lower back, which is worsened when you stand or walk. This type of lower back pain constitutes the following symptoms:

  • Radicular pain or sciatic (pain that radiates into the buttocks and back of the thighs)
  • Pain that feels with sitting, particularly sitting in a reclining position
  • Tight hamstrings that make it difficult to touch toes
  • Legs feel tired, and you may experience leg numbness or tingling, especially after walking
  • Pain that worsens when you bend backwards
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Ideally, there are common symptoms that everyone with lower back pain is likely to experience. Some of these symptoms include:

  • Pain that worsens when you sit down and may feel better when you lie down or recline
  • Pain comes in the form of an ache
  • Pain may be felt in the lower back, hips, groin, and thighs
  • Frequent changing of positions to feel better

Causes

Causes of lower back pain are as numerous as its symptoms. Here are some of the common causes:

  1. Sciatica

Sciatica is a type of pain that affects the back, hip, and groin. It can occur with a herniated disc if the disc presses on the sciatic nerve. Given that the sciatica nerve connects the spine to the legs, sciatica can cause pain in the feet and legs. Lower back pain caused by sciatica usually feels like needles, burning or pins.

  1. Abnormal Spine Curvatures

Lordosis, scoliosis, and kyphosis are all conditions that lead to abnormal spine curvatures. These are congenital conditions that are often diagnosed when patients are children or teenagers. The abnormal spine curvatures cause lower back pain and poor posture by placing pressure on the vertebrae, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

  1. Disc Injury

The discs in the back are prone to injuries, and this risk usually increases with age. The outside of the disc can herniate or tear. A herniated disc is also known as a ruptured or slipped disc, and it occurs when the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes against the nerve roots or spinal cord. The cushion that is located between the spinal vertebrae extends outside its normal position. And this can lead to compression of the nerve root as it exits from the spinal cord and through the vertebral bones. Disc injury normally occurs suddenly after twisting your back or lifting a heavy object. Pain from a disc injury often lasts for over 72 hours.

  1. Strains

Strains are also a major cause of lower back pain. Excess activity can make the ligaments and muscles to stretch or tear. Someone suffering from strains may experience symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the lower back and muscle spasms.

  1. Other Causes

A number of conditions can also lead to lower back pain. Well, these conditions include arthritis, spondylosis (a degenerative disorder that may result in loss of normal spinal structure and function), fibromyalgia (long-term tenderness and pain in the tendons, joints, and muscles), and spondylitis (inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones).

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Lower back pain can also be caused by a car accident. However, when this happens, it is important that you call a car accident lawyer to seek compensation, as the driver can be on the wrong. Be sure to have all evidence including medical bills, to make the lawyer’s work and proceedings easy. You can use websites like Lawyers Near Me to search for a lawyer in your local area who will help you with your car accident case.

Summary

Today, lower back pain is common among individuals aged between 30 years and 60 years. This is because of its numerous causes, which are as a result of our lifestyle. But, the good news is there are treatments for lower back pain. Thus, if you feel any symptoms, be sure to visit your doctor before it is too late.