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Occasional lower back pain is a normal part of life but, sometimes, back pain is more intense than usual. Back pain that is sharp and sudden or dull and lasts for a long time is usually related to a serious condition that requires professional treatment.
Often, these conditions are not life-threatening but they do affect your quality of life. If you’re trying to figure out what it means when your lower back hurts, you should talk to your doctor to see if it’s related to one of these common causes:
Muscle strains
Overexertion of the back in physical activities, such as picking up a heavy object from the floor, can cause the muscles in the back to stretch or tear. This causes pain and stiffness in the back. Strained muscles also increase pressure on your spine, since it has to compensate for the lack of muscular support. This is also painful and can lead to other issues like some of the other conditions on this page.
Herniated disc
The discs between the vertebrae in your spine are filled with fluid that helps to absorb shock from an impact. This fluid can burst out of the shell of the disc if there’s enough pressure on the disc. When this happens, the fluid puts pressure on the spinal cord, which is painful and can limit your range of motion.
Sciatica
Prolonged pressure on the lower back, such as from sitting, or a direct impact to the lower back can cause sciatica. This is a condition that is a type of inflammation to the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back into each of your legs. This usually feels like a burning and tingling pain in the lower back and legs.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal. This may occur as the result of a debilitating condition like arthritis or in response to a traumatic injury. When the spinal column grows narrow due to spinal stenosis, it puts more pressure on the nerves, which is painful and limits your range of motion.
Arthritis
Arthritis causes the cartilage in your joints to wear down. Since there are many joints in your spine, it’s vulnerable to arthritis as much as any of your other joints. If arthritis affects the vertebrae in your spine, it may be painful to bend over and twist your back.
Visit the iRISE Spine and Joint Institute for lower back pain treatment
Is lower back pain getting the better of you? Life doesn’t have to be this way. You can visit a professional at the Florida Spine and Joint Institute to find out how our team can help you recover from lower back pain. Contact our team today for more information about lower back pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.
