Lower Back Pain - Causes and Treatments

Lower back pain is a common health problem that most adults deal with, whether male or female. This health problem is associated with aging, as people between the ages of 30 and 50 are prone to lower back pain. A lot of people deal with lower back pain without knowing the cause or how to remedy it. This article highlights the major causes of lower back pain as well as the treatments for it.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is caused by a number of factors which are discussed below.

Disc Injury: The discs that are present in the back are quite prone to injury. Injury in this area can come in form of tears or herniation. Disc injuries are typically caused by lifting heavy objects and twisting the back in back angles. A tear is typically a stretch in the tissues around the disc. A herniated disc, on the other hand, is caused when the cartilage around the disc is pushing against the nerve roots or spinal cord. Another name for a herniated disc is a ruptured disc or slipped disc. The pain from disc injuries usually lasts over 72 hours. In cases of severe disc injury, it is advised to consult a chiropractor to see the condition of your injury and get the necessary treatment. To know more about how a chiropractor can help ease your injury, read more here.

Strains: Stressful activities can cause the ligaments and muscles to tear or stretch. Muscle spasms, stiffness in the lower back, and pains are symptoms of strain. The pain from back strains typically lasts 72 hours. The pains from strains can be treated by rest and physical therapy in serious cases.

Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis is a condition that refers to the narrowing of the spinal column, thereby putting increased pressure on the spinal nerves and spinal cord. This condition is caused by the degeneration of discs present between the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis is known to cause cramping, numbness, and weakness of the lower back.

Sciatica: Sciatica is a condition that is linked to a herniated disc. Sciatica occurs when the herniated disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve. As this nerve is responsible for connecting the spine to your legs, this pressing results in pains in the back, legs, and feet.

Abnormal Spine Curvatures: Abnormal curvatures in the spine are caused by conditions such as kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis. Other conditions that cause lower back pain include spondylitis, arthritis, spondylosis, and fibromyalgia.

Treatment For Lower Back Pain

Treatment of lower back pain takes three forms. It could either be in form of home care, medical treatment, or surgery.

Home Care: Home care entails self-care methods that are usually effective within the first 72 hours. Home care involves rest from normal physical activities and the application of ice on the lower back. The application of ice is followed by the application of heat, in order to relax the muscles. Pain killers such as ibuprofen and Tylenol are also used to relieve the pain. Other methods include massages and a warm bath.