Most Common Reasons For Lower Back Pain

It is estimated that 80% of people will experience lower back pain at some point in their life. It can be caused by a huge variety of issues, such as trauma, lifting too much, or an infection. The key, when dealing with back pain is to understand the reason for the pain and then adjust your lifestyle to ensure a full recovery.

It’s important to let your back heal properly to make sure you don’t have a repeat issue in the future. You should note you are not alone, research shows 16% of Australians have low back pain.

Knowing what type of low back pain you have will help you deal with the issue and continue to live a high-quality life. You’ll find that the services of a high-quality physiotherapist Concord will help.

Strains

This is the most common issue with the lower back. A strain means you have stretched a ligament too far, pulled a muscle, or perhaps overloaded a disc. The most common reasons to sprain your back are due to lifting something too heavy or lifting incorrectly.

The pain will be sudden and can last as long as several months. However, this type of injury should heal by itself, the right exercises will help to maintain and build strength as you heal.

Herniated Disc

Another common issue is a herniated disc. The discs between the vertebrae in your spine act as shock absorbers. Each disc has a gel inside them that allows them to cushion blows. But, these discs can rupture, allowing the gel to come out of the disc. One of the most common causes of this is incorrect lifting.

The gel that comes out will press on the nerves inside your spinal column causing considerable pain and possibly difficulty walking.

You’ll need specialist help to allow the disc to heal.

Joint Damage

The lower joints of your back deal with large amounts of force daily. In the same way that any joint in your body can lose cartilage, so can those in your lower back. This results in bone grinding against bone. It is painful and will limit your movement ability.

Again, this damage can place pressure on a nerve and cause pain in the legs.

Compression Fracture

The most common type of low back fracture is a compression fracture. This occurs when the vertebrae collapse into themselves, effectively compressing the joints and the discs are unable to withstand the pressure.

The pain is sudden and severe, usually accompanied by movement issues. It’s commonly caused by osteoarthritis but there are other causes. 

Spinal Stenosis

The main nerves for your body pass through your spinal canal. It protects them. However, if the gap that they go through narrows then pressure can be placed on the nerves which will result in pain. The pain can be felt in your lower back and somewhere else in your body.

The bottom Line

There are many reasons for lower back pain but one thing is certain. If you experience it get it checked out by a specialist. They can verify the issue and help you find the best treatment path.

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