Lower back pain is common and it usually results from back muscle or tendon strains. Why lower back is killing me? Arthritis, structural issues, and disk injuries are the other causes of lower back pain. Medication, physical therapy, and rest usually relieve pain.
What is Lower Back Pain?
Lumbar back pain is lower back pain. Many injuries and conditions can cause it. Back muscle or tendon injuries usually cause it. Nearly everyone gets lower back pain. Pain ranges from mild to severe, and this is temporary for most people. Chronic lower back pain affects up to 23% of adults worldwide. In severe cases, lower back pain can prevent walking, sleeping, working, or doing daily tasks. Since lower back pain is so common, it may be hard to tell if you should worry. If something feels wrong or the pain prevents you from doing your usual activities, see a doctor.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms
Lower back pain symptoms vary. Lower back pain can occur suddenly or gradually. Follow an event, like bending over to pick something up. It may “pop” when it happens.
Following are the symptoms:
- Sharp or dull ache.
- Radiate to your buttock or rear leg.
- Bending over or crouching down hurts, and lying down helps.
Other lower back pain symptoms:
- Moving or straightening your back may be difficult. Standing up from a seated position may take time, and you may need to stretch or walk to relax. Range of motion may decrease.
- Many back pain sufferers have trouble standing straight. Your torso may be “crooked” or bent, off-center from your spine. Flattening your lower back may occur.
- Strains can cause uncontrollable muscle contractions. Spasms can be excruciating and prevent standing, walking, or moving.
Causes of Low Back Pain
Why lower back is killing me? Many injuries and conditions can cause lower back pain. Any lower back structure issue can cause pain due to its many functions. Specific lower back pain causes:
- Sprains and strains: Most back pain comes from strains and sprains. Lifting too heavy or unsafely can damage muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Sneezing, coughing, twisting, and bending strains back.
- Spinal fractures: Car accidents and falls can break your lumbar spine. Diseases like osteoporosis increase fracture risk. A stress fracture or crack in the spine is called spondylolysis. Young athletes often have it.
- Spinal disc problems: Spinal discs cushion vertebrae. Discs can bulge in your spine and pinch a nerve. The discs can tear. Discs flatten and lose protection with age.
- Problems with structure: If your spinal column is too narrow for your spinal cord, you have spinal stenosis. Serious sciatic nerve and lower back pain can result from vertebral bone spurs pinching your spinal cord. Pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving can result from lumbar scoliosis. Low back pain can also result from spondylolisthesis. When a vertebra slips, it rests on the bone below.
- Arthritis: Lower back pain is most often caused by osteoarthritis. Another type of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, causes lower back pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
Back pain can be caused by infections, spine tumors, and cancer. Back pain can also result from kidney stones and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Fibromyalgia and other chronic inflammatory conditions can cause lower back pain.
Lower Back Pain Treatments
Rest, ice, and OTC painkillers help many mild to moderate lower back pain cases. After resting for a few days, you can resume normal activities. Staying active boosts blood flow and healing. Get medical help immediately if your back pain is severe or after a traumatic event like a fall. Other lower back pain treatments depend on the cause, severity, and duration. May include:
- Medications: NSAIDs or prescription painkillers may be recommended by pain management in pano. For back spasms, they may prescribe muscle relaxers.
- Physical therapy (PT): Physical therapy strengthens muscles to support the spine. PT boosts flexibility and prevents injuries. Reduce back pain with PT’s help with posture, alignment, and body mechanics.
- Hands-on manipulation: Several such treatments can relieve pain, relax tight muscles, and improve posture and alignment. Osteopathic manipulation or chiropractic adjustments may be needed depending on the cause of pain. Massage can relieve back pain and restore function.
To treat chronic lower back pain, your back pain doctor in Dallas may recommend lumbar epidural steroid injections. Lower back injuries and conditions may require surgery. Many minimally invasive low back pain surgeries exist. If you have chronic lower back pain, finding the right treatment may take time. Your provider is with you throughout.
Conclusion
Millions suffer from lower back pain. Why lower back is killing me? Stiffness, pain, and limited movement can lower quality of life. Don’t fight pain. If lower back pain persists or prevents you from enjoying your favorite activities, see a doctor. Several treatments can reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance life.
