Lower back pain is a common condition that affects a significant portion of the global population, often impacting people’s ability to perform daily activities and maintain their quality of life. Although lower back pain is widespread, the causes can vary greatly, making it essential to understand the different factors contributing to the condition.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Here, we’ll dive into the primary causes of lower back pain, explore the lifestyle factors often responsible, and outline options for relief and treatment.
Poor Posture
One of the leading causes of lower back pain is poor posture. Many people spend hours each day sitting in front of a computer, slouching over their phones, or standing in ways that put unnecessary strain on their spine.
Poor posture can alter the alignment of the spine, causing certain muscles to overwork and eventually leading to chronic pain. When you sit or stand with poor posture, certain muscles must work harder to support your body. Over time, these muscles become fatigued and strained, leading to pain.
Improving Posture: To counter poor posture, make small adjustments throughout the day. For example, sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed, and consider investing in ergonomic furniture that supports a healthy spine.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain occurs when muscles in the lower back are stretched too far or torn. This is commonly due to activities that involve heavy lifting, sudden twisting movements, or overuse during exercise or manual labour. Muscle strains can cause sharp, acute pain that may last a few days to a few weeks.
Preventing Muscle Strain: If your work involves lifting, learn proper techniques to avoid injury. Using your legs instead of your back to lift, warming up before exercise, and strengthening your core muscles can all help prevent strain.
Age-Related Conditions
As people age, their risk of developing lower back pain increases. Common age-related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, can all contribute to chronic lower back pain.
- Osteoarthritis: This condition causes cartilage wear in the spine, leading to joint pain and stiffness.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Spinal discs lose water and flexibility over time, reducing their cushioning effect between vertebrae and causing pain.
- Spinal Stenosis: An abnormally narrow spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, which leads to pain, numbness, and weakness.
Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle
Extra body weight adds stress to the lower back, especially when carrying weight around the abdomen. This increased pressure can accelerate degeneration of the spine and worsen pain. A sedentary lifestyle exacerbates this issue, as lack of exercise can weaken muscles that support the spine.
Losing weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can reduce the strain on your spine. Core-strengthening exercises are especially beneficial for those with lower back pain, as a strong core helps support the lower back and distribute body weight more evenly.
Injuries and Accidents
Accidents, such as falls, car crashes, or sports-related injuries, can cause sudden trauma to the lower back. These injuries may damage vertebrae, discs, or surrounding muscles and ligaments. In severe cases, injuries to the back may require immediate medical attention to prevent further complications.
Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain
Depending on the cause of lower back pain, various treatment options are available.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises and stretches to relieve pain and strengthen back muscles.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used but may not be effective long-term.
- Surgery: Reserved for severe cases where other treatments have failed, and only for conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
However, many patients find success with non-invasive options before considering surgery. This is where spinal decompression treatment, as offered by ANSSI Wellness, can be highly beneficial.Non-Surgical
Spinal Decompression Treatment at ANSSI Wellness
If you’re seeking a non-surgical approach to lower back pain, spinal decompression treatment at ANSSI Wellness offers a safe, drug-free solution. This treatment, based on proven US- based technology, gently stretches the spine, relieving pressure on compressed nerves and promoting healing.
Unlike medications or invasive procedures, spinal decompression is designed to treat the root cause of pain, providing long-lasting relief without the need for surgery.
“If lower back pain has impacted the quality of your life, consider ANSSI Wellness’s non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a pain-free life.”
