The causes of lower back pain vary from muscular injuries to health issues, and these pains affect the ability of many people to perform their usual daily activities.
What are the causes of lower back pain?
This pain usually appears as a result of overexertion, muscle strain, or injuries to the ligaments and muscles supporting the spine. In less common cases, the reasons may be due to a spinal abnormality or a specific disease.
Depending on the duration, these pains are divided into two types:
- Acute pain (short-term): Lasts from several days to weeks, often resulting from car accidents, injuries while gardening or exercising, or inflammation of the joints.
- Chronic pain (long-term): Lasts for three months or more, and identifying the exact reason behind it is often difficult.
Back pain risk factors and causes and factors
There is a group of factors that increase the likelihood of injury; these do not necessarily mean an injury will occur, but they raise the chances of its appearance:
Non-modifiable factors:
- Reaching middle age (noting that the risk decreases after age 65).
- Gender, as incidence is higher in men compared to women.
- Family history, previous back injuries, or spinal compression fractures.
- Previous back surgeries or congenital spinal defects.
- Pregnancy, due to the significant pressure the fetus places on the back area.
Controllable factors:
- Lifestyle: This includes smoking, physical inactivity, and excess weight, especially around the waist. While some believe this causes direct pressure on the back, research is inconclusive; however, it weakens muscles and reduces flexibility.
- Work environment: Prolonged sitting, bending, repetitive movements, lifting heavy weights, or constant exposure to vibrations, such as driving heavy equipment.
- Mental health: Stress and depression, as psychological pressure sometimes leads to involuntary tension in the back muscles.
- Treatments and diseases: Long-term use of medications that weaken bones, such as corticosteroids, or diseases that cause a chronic cough.
How to prevent the causes of lower back pain
The likelihood of injury can be reduced by following these measures:
- Physical activity: Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily to avoid inactivity.
- Improving work posture: Alternate between sitting and walking positions occasionally and avoid repetitive strenuous movements.
- Adjusting health habits: Quit smoking completely and work toward achieving a healthy weight for your height.
- Managing psychological stress: Practice deep breathing exercises and yoga, go for walks with friends, or consult a mental health professional when feeling depressed.
- Medication review: Consult a doctor to look for alternatives to bone-weakening medications that have fewer side effects.
FAQ
What causes of lower back pain in females?
In addition to general causes, pregnancy is a primary factor due to the pressure the fetus places on the back.
Is low back pain a sign of pregnancy?
Yes, the fetus during pregnancy creates significant pressure on the back, making it one of the risk factors for experiencing this pain.
What causes of low back pain are chronic?
Chronic pain may be linked to psychological stress and tension that lead to involuntary muscle tightening, or it may result from not treating acute pain in its early stages.
When should you visit a doctor?
It is recommended to seek medical consultation in the following cases:
- If short-term pains turn into a persistent condition without improvement.
- When experiencing depression that affects your psychological and physical state.
- If you are using medications that affect bone density and wish to find alternatives.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.
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Illustration: AI-generated
approved by: Medica Health team