BACK AND SPINE HEALTH

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

If there’s one kind of pain that most Americans have to deal with, it’s lower back pain. It is one of the most painful conditions that the human body experiences and one of the most common.

Fortunately, the causes of lower back pain are not mysterious. We know that there are various causes of lower back pain. Let’s look at what are the common causes of lower back pain.

1. Overuse

One of the most common causes of lower back pain is overusing our lower back muscles. We can do that by lifting items heavier than we should, using too heavy weights during back exercises, etc. When this occurs, our back muscle fibers either get overstretched or torn.

2. Injury

Injuries to the lower back tie in with overusing the lower back muscles. This is caused by lumbar strain, which means that the tendons and the muscles get damaged. Injury to the lower back is widespread in sports such as weight-lifting and football. It can also happen with repeated twisting of the lower back, such as with tennis or golf. When you injure your lower back, it can be excruciating. It can result in back spasms, severe pain, and even the inability to walk correctly or sit properly.

3. Pinched Nerve

A specific kind of damage can happen to the lower back, and that’s the very painful condition of a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve occurs in the lower back when the nerve gets compressed near tissue or bone. That pressure can cause pain, burning, numbness, etc. What’s even worse, the effects of a pinched nerve can spread to the butt, legs, and feet. This is also called sciatica. People can get pinched nerves due to injury. Certain risk factors make developing a pinched nerve in the lower back more common, such as obesity, not being physically active, uneven posture, aging, etc.

4. Poor Posture

Poor posture is one of the most common ways to get lower back pain. It happens to many people. For example, those who have desk jobs can get lower back pain from sitting for long periods or slumping in a chair instead of sitting straight.

5. Poor Diet

Believe it or not, a poor diet can lead to lower back pain. If your diet consists of junk food and foods that do not sustain health and well-being, your muscles are not receiving the energy they need to be healthy. A poor diet leads to weight gain and muscle atrophy, which means your back muscles are weak. Weak back muscles are common causes of lower back pain.

6. Medical Condition

Another common reason for lower back pain is if you have a medical condition. Various kinds of medical conditions contribute to lower back pain. They include arthritis, osteoporosis, tumors, cancer, etc. 

Huntington Beach Spine Surgeon

These are just some of the causes of lower back pain. It’s not fun to deal with, but fortunately, there are cures for lower back pain ranging from alternative to pharmaceutical. It is always advised to consult with a doctor or spine surgeon in Huntington Beach, CA for lower back pain treatment.