Low back pain is a very common condition. It can occur as a result of an injury to the tendons or muscles in the back.
Other causes include structural problems, arthritis, and disk injuries. Back pain is often relieved with physical therapy, rest, and medication.
You can reduce your risk of low back pain by maintaining a healthy weight and staying fit.
Pain can go from acute (mild) to chronic (severe) and sometimes make it challenging or impossible to sleep, walk, or work.
Causes of Low Back Pain
Several diseases, injuries, and conditions can cause lower back pain. These include:
- Fractures:
The spinal bones can break during accidents such as a fall or car crash. Specific conditions like osteoporosis or spondylolysis also increase the risk of fractures.
- Structural problems:
An illness known as spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column is too slim for the spinal cord.
And something inconveniencing the spinal cord can result in serious sciatic nerve pain and low back pain.
Also, scoliosis – the curvature of the spine – can result in stiffness, pain, and difficulty moving.
- Strains and sprains:
The most common cause of back pain is back sprains and strains resulting from injury in the tendons, muscles, or ligaments due to not lifting something safely or lifting too heavy.
Some individuals also strain their backs by coughing, sneezing, twisting, or bending over.
- Disk problems:
The disk (small spinal bone) cushions the vertebrae and can bulge from its position in the spine and press on a nerve or tear (herniated disk).
Disks can become flattened and offer less protection as you age, causing degenerative disk disease.
- Arthritis:
Osteoarthritis is the most regular kind of arthritis that leads to low back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis is also known to cause low back pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the spine.
- Disease:
Infections, spine tumors, and many types of cancer can cause back pain. Other illnesses, including abdominal aortic aneurysm and kidney stones, can also cause back pain.
- Spondylolisthesis:
This is a condition that causes the vertebrae in the spine to slip out of their position. Spondylolisthesis often leads to leg pain and low back pain as well.
Treatments for Low Back Pain
Low back pain commonly becomes relieved with ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Other treatments depending on the cause, include:
- Physical therapy:
Physical therapy can be helpful for chronic back pain by strengthening the muscles so they can assist your spine.
Also, physical therapy can help improve flexibility and prevent another injury.
- Hands-on manipulation:
Many hands-on treatments can help relieve pain, relax tight muscles and improve posture and alignment.
Based on the cause of the pain, you may need chiropractic adjustments or osteopathic manipulation.
Massage therapy also helps relieve low back pain and restore function.
- Medications:
Your low back pain specialist may recommend NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or prescription drugs to help relieve pain.
Other medications can also help relax your muscles and prevent back spasms.
- Surgery:
Some conditions and injuries may require surgical repair. There are various types of surgery for low back pain, like many minimally invasive techniques.
Several treatments are available to relieve pain, help you move better, and enjoy life the most. You can find the best pain treatment in Irving, TX, at Thrive and Pain Management.
Schedule an appointment here or contact us at (469) 535-8759.
