Lower back pain can be incredibly uncomfortably and it affects many people in all aspects of their lives. Find out what may be causing your lower back pain…

1. Excessive Stress on the Spine

Excessive stress on the spine is when there is an excess amount of pressure being placed on it, which can lead to pain in the lower back. This added stress can be caused by factors such as being overweight, lifting heavy objects too heavy for your body capacity or too frequently to handle.

If your lower back muscles are not strong enough to support your body weight, then they may become strained or injured as well. This adds further strain onto your back causing more pain than normal.

Posture or lifting form has been shown to not be an influencing factor in lower back pain.

2. Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs when the intervertebral disks between the vertebrae in the spine begin to wear away. This is a normal part of aging but can at times cause friction between the joints, resulting in pain and stiffness in the back.

Smoking has been found to accelerate disk degeneration, as well as lead to osteoarthritis (spondylosis) which can cause further back problems such as spinal stenosis.

3. Spinal Fractures

A spinal fracture or compression fracture is a break in the spine. It can occur in any part of the lumbar region, between the two hip bones, or sacrum. It is often caused by osteoporosis (a bone disease marked by a progressive loss of bone density and strength), but can also be caused by trauma such as high-impact falls.

When a vertebra fractures due to osteoporosis or trauma, it can cause severe pain in that area as well as limited spinal mobility. Additionally, patients with lumbar compression fractures often experience sudden pain with no warning and no significant trauma. Opioids may be needed for pain control, for as brief a period as possible.

4. Stress and Depression

Both stress and depression have been shown to increase the risk of lower back pain. This may be due to hormonal changes during periods of high stress, how stress changes behaviours like nutrition and activity levels or may be how stress effects our sleep and recovery.

5. Nerve Root Compressions or ‘trapped nerves’

Irritation to the nerve root may be caused by disc compressions, stenosis (narrowing through aging), inflammation or in rare cases, tumours, or cancer. When the nerve root is affected, you may expect to feel pain, pins and needles or numbness going down one or both legs. If the spinal cord is affected this may cause bladder or bowel changes, limb weakness and/or numbness around your gentiles and inner thighs. This is called Cauda Equina Syndrome and requires urgent medical attention, and you should report to A&E straight away.

If you want to get back to feeling your best and performing at your peak, then don’t wait any longer! Contact Pure Physio Sports today and schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained physiotherapists. Our team is dedicated to helping you overcome your injuries and get you back on the road to recovery. Whether you’re an athlete looking to improve your performance or simply want to feel your best, Pure Physio Sports has the expertise and experience to help you achieve your goals. Don’t let your injuries hold you back any longer – take control of your health and wellbeing with Pure Physio Sports. Contact us now to schedule your appointment and start your journey to a pain-free, active lifestyle!