Lower Back Pain: Causes and Treatments
Nov 21, 2022
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, lower back pain is the second most common type of pain (behind headaches). If you suffer from lower back pain, you're not alone—millions of people experience it every day. But what causes lower back pain? And more importantly, what can you do to treat it? Read on to find out.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
There are many possible causes of lower back pain, which can make pinpointing the source of your pain difficult. However, some of the most common causes include muscle strains, herniated disks, degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, and sacroiliitis. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Muscle Strains
A muscle strain occurs when your muscles or tendons are stretched or torn. This can happen if you lift something heavy or twist your body awkwardly. Common symptoms include muscle spasms, tenderness, and pain that gets worse when you move around.
Herniated Disks
A herniated disk occurs when the soft center of your spinal disk bulges out through a crack in the tougher outer ring. This can happen due to an injury or repetitive motions (such as twisting or lifting). Symptoms include numbness, weakness, and pain that radiates down your leg.
Degenerative Disk Disease
Degenerative disk disease is a condition that results from the wear-and-tear on your disks as you age. The disks in your spine act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae), and over time they can begin to shrink and degenerate. This can lead to pain and stiffness in the lower back.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine—essentially meaning that your spine is "squeezing" your spinal cord and nerves. This condition is often caused by arthritis, and symptoms include pain, cramping, and numbness in the legs (due to compressed nerves).
Sacroiliitis
Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of one or both of the sacroiliac joints—the joints that connect your pelvis to your spine. This condition often happens due to repetitive stress on the joints (such as from running) or due to arthritis. Symptoms include lower back pain and stiffness that gets worse when you move around or when standing for long periods of time.
Treatments for Lower Back Pain
Depending on the cause of your lower back pain, there are various treatment options available. For example, if your pain is due to a muscle strain, you might try resting for a few days (although prolonged bed rest isn't recommended) and applying ice to the affected area for 20-30 minutes several times per day until the pain goes away. If you have degenerative disk disease or sacroiliitis, physical therapy might be recommended to help improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles around your spine; surgery might also be necessary in severe cases. If you have spinal stenosis, treatments might include physical therapy (to improve flexibility), wearing a back brace (to stabilize your spine), or undergoing surgery (to widen the spaces within your spine).
One of the most effective options for treating lower back pain is a back brace. These braces are designed to stabilize your spine and provide additional support for your lower back, helping to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. If you are thinking about purchasing a back brace for everyday use, there are several factors to consider. First, it is important to find a brace that fits you properly, as an ill-fitting brace can do more harm than good. Be sure to check out BLITZU at https://www.blitzugear.com/, which offers a variety of braces that will help with your back pain. And finally, it is important to consult with your doctor or physical therapist before making any purchasing decisions, as they can help you choose a brace that is right for your specific needs and condition. With the right back brace, you can manage lower back pain more effectively and enjoy greater freedom of movement and comfort throughout the day.
Conclusion: Lower back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people every day. However, there are many possible causes of lower back pain—including muscle strains, herniated disks, degenerative disk disease, spinal stenosis, and sacroiliitis—so it's important to see a doctor if you're experiencing chronic back pain in order to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. There are many different treatments available for lower back pain depending on its cause; some common treatments include resting (for muscle strains), icing (for injuries), physical therapy (for degenerative disk disease/sacroiliitis), wearing a brace (for spinal stenosis), and surgery (for severe cases).