13 Reasons On What Causes Lower Back Pain: Complete Guide 2024

By Vanessa Richards

January 10, 2024   •   Fact checked by Dumb Little Man

What Causes Lower Back Pain

One of the most common physical problems people of age 30 to 50 face is back pain. As per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIDS), back pain is very common in aged people.

It often has a sudden onset and can be chronic. The important thing to remember about back pain is that it is very individualized in its nature.

The nature of back pain changes from person to person, from location to location in the body. The intensity of the pain changes as well over time.

It is important to know what causes lower back pain to know how to treat it. Age is a very important factor when it comes to severe pain in the back.

Generally, treatment programs that train your body through different activities and exercises are better and more reliable treatment options.

What Causes Lower Back Pain: What is Lower Back Pain?

What Causes Lower Back Pain
Photo: Pexels

You may be experiencing lower back pain if you are feeling pain in the lower region of your back. The pain may be sharp, dull, achy, or throbbing. It can vary in intensity from time to time.

Although lower back pain can be caused by a number of things such as an infection, a traumatic injury, or arthritis, it’s most commonly caused by tension, stress, or improper posture. In some cases, there may be a structural problem with the spine, especially the lumbar spine, that’s causing the pain.

If the pain is really bad, your doctor might prescribe some medicines to help relieve the pain. But the good news is that most cases of acute low back pain can be managed with some simple lifestyle changes.

Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

You might be experiencing some of the following symptoms if you’re suffering from acute low back pain:

  • Pain in the lower back that may radiate down your legs
  • Muscle spasms or stiffness in the lower back
  • Feeling stiffness or soreness in your lower back
  • Experiencing pain when bending over or twisting
  • Difficulty sitting or standing for long periods of time
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

13 Causes of Lower Back Pain

What Causes Lower Back Pain
Photo: Pexels

You’re not alone. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, lower back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It can be caused by a variety of things, from poor posture to a slipped disk.

If you’re in pain, it’s important to identify the source so that you can get the treatment you need. The following is a list of the major causes of lower back pain.

1. Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition that affects the spinal cord, and it’s one of the leading causes of lower back pain. It occurs when the space around the spinal cord becomes narrow, which puts pressure on the nerves.

The damage to the spinal cord can be caused by a number of things, including age, arthritis, and trauma. Symptoms include pain in the lower back, legs, and feet, as well as numbness and tingling.

2. Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, and it can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the lower back, legs, and feet. The good news is that there are treatments available that can help reduce the symptoms.

3. Herniated Disks

If you’re experiencing lower back pain, there’s a good chance it’s because of a herniated disk. A herniated disk is a common cause of back pain, and it happens when the soft inner material of the disk pushes through the tough outer layer.

This can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in your back, and it can also lead to problems with movement. If you think you might have a herniated disk, it’s important to see a doctor right away for treatment.

4. Degenerative Disk Disease

Degenerative disk disease is a condition that affects the disks between your vertebrae. Over time, these disks can gradually shrink and harden.

This can lead to pain and stiffness in your lower back.

5. Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints, and it can cause a lot of pain and inflammation. In the case of lower back pain, arthritis can make it difficult to move around and do everyday activities.

6. Osteoporosis

One possible cause of lower back pain is osteoporosis. If you’re not familiar with osteoporosis, it’s a condition that affects the bones and leads to loss of bone density.

This can make your bones weak and more susceptible to fractures.

People who have osteoporosis are at a higher risk for developing lower back pain, and the pain can be quite severe. It’s important to get checked out by a doctor if you’re experiencing any kind of back pain, especially if you think it might be related to osteoporosis.

7. Compression Fractures

In a compression fracture, one or more of the vertebrae in your spine collapses. This can happen because of a traumatic injury, such as a car accident, or it can be the result of osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes your bones to thin and become less dense.

Compression fractures are more common in older adults, but they can happen at any age. If you think you might have a compression fracture, it’s important to see a doctor right away.

The good news is that most compression fractures can be treated with medication and/or physical therapy.

8. Muscle Strains

Muscle strains are one of the most common culprits. When you’re not used to doing something and suddenly put a lot of stress on your muscles, they can easily get injured.

This is what often happens when people start working out after a long hiatus. They go too hard, too fast, and end up straining their muscles.

Oftentimes, this type of injury is accompanied by inflammation and swelling. The good news is that it usually clears up within a few days with some rest and ice therapy.

9. Sprains

When you sprain your back, you stretch and damage the ligaments and other connective tissues that support your spine. This can happen when you lift something heavy and you don’t use the correct technique or when you twist your back in an awkward way.

It can also happen if you fall or if you got into a car accident.

10. Spondylolisthesis

This is a medical condition that occurs when a vertebra in your spine slips. As a result, it becomes out of place.

It can put a lot of pressure on the nerves in your back, which is what leads to that all-too-familiar pain.

11. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles and joints. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the nervous system processes pain signals.

People with fibromyalgia often experience fatigue, sleep problems, and mood changes, along with pain. If you think you might have fibromyalgia, go for a physical exam.

There is no cure, but there are treatments that can help lessen the symptoms.

12. Sitting in the Wrong Position

Lower back pain could be caused by something as simple as sitting in the wrong position at your desk all day, or it could be something more serious, like a slipped disk. Whatever the cause, once lower back pain sets in, it’s tough to shift it.

13. Degenerative disc disease

Degenerative disc disease is also a common cause of lower back pain. It is a condition in which the spinal cushioning wears away.

Treatment of Lower Back Pain

Despite what people might have told you, there is plenty of hope even if you have severe back pain. We have researched the best natural treatments and other treatment programs for you.

Keep reading to find out how you can get rid of lower back pain permanently.

Natural Remedies for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common problem, and it can be tough to find relief. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten natural remedies that have been proven to help. Make a back pain fact sheet out of these and try them as much as you can.

Ice packs

Applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation and find instant relief from back pain. It is an especially good option in emergency situations.

Heat packs

Heat packs can help loosen tight muscles and improve circulation, which is very crucial for getting rid of back pain. It works well for other pains as well, such as pain due to injuries.

Rest

In many cases, back pain is simply due to working too much. If that’s the case, the only thing you need is home rest. Make sure you are properly rested and that your sleep routine is healthy. Make sure you’re taking breaks often when you’re sitting or standing for long periods of time. This will help to reduce the strain on your back.

Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce lower back pain. It helps improve flexibility and strength, and it can also help reduce inflammation. When your muscles are weak, they’re more prone to injury, and this can lead to pain in your lower back. So make sure you’re doing some strength-training exercises a few times a week.

Yoga

Yoga is another great way to get rid of lower back pain, muscle problems, and overall loss of stamina. It improves flexibility and reduces pain. The positive results of yoga are almost permanent.

Massage

If the pain is too unbearable, a simple and gentle massage can help relieve tension in the muscles and promote healing.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Instead of surgeries that are invasive, chiropractic adjustments can help realign the spine and relieve tension in the muscles. You should go for this option only if you know your spine has been misplaced.

Herbal Remedies

There are a number of herbal remedies that have been shown to be effective for treating lower back pain, such as ginger, turmeric, and Boswellia serrata extract.

Hot Baths

Hot baths feel good for a reason. They relax the muscles and reduce pain, which is why hot baths are a fantastic remedy for back pain.

Cold Baths

If you have inflammation along with back pain, cold baths can be really helpful.

Medicines

You might be wondering what types of medicine are used for treating lower back pain. There are a few different categories of medicines that can be used, including:

Pain Relievers

These are the most common type of medicine used to treat lower back pain. It includes over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as prescription pain medications.

Corticosteroids

These are anti-inflammatory medicines that help reduce swelling and inflammation. They’re often prescribed for people who have back pain caused by an infection or rheumatoid arthritis.

Antidepressants

For some people, antidepressants can help relieve chronic lower back pain. This may be because they help improve mood and decrease anxiety, which can make it easier to cope with pain.

Muscle relaxants

These medications help relax the muscles and can be helpful for people who have muscle spasms in their back.

Treatment Programs

If you are into 100% non-invasive treatments, we have got you covered. We have thoroughly researched the best treatment programs for treating lower back pain.

Keep reading to find out about the easiest and most promising treatment programs for lower back pain relief.

4 Best Back Pain Relief Programs

ProductKey Feature

My Back Pain Coach

Top Consumer's Choice

The Back Pain Miracle

Best Non-invasive Program

Lose The Back Pain System

Best Highly Rated

Back Pain Breakthrough

Best Unique Approach

1. Best Talked about Program – Top Choice: My Back Pain Coach

What Causes Lower Back Pain

 

Your back pain is killing you? You don’t have to worry about it anymore. We know you would do anything to avoid surgery for your back pain, and we understand your pain.

That’s why we recommend the My Back Pain Coach Program. This program, developed by a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Ian Hart, is the best back pain treatment program available on the market.

This program contains very informative and interactive videos that will teach you how to improve blood flow in your body. Once you are able to get the blood flowing in a healthy manner in your body, the back pain will go away on its own.

This powerful program will help you relieve pain within 16 minutes. What makes this program incredibly effective is that the exercises you will be asked to perform are super-easy.

My Back Pain Coach is all about helping you fix imbalanced muscles and improve your blood circulation. It’s a very inexpensive program. The only thing you will need to perform the exercises instructed in this program is a simple towel or pillow.

Shop at My Back Pain Coach’s Official Website.

Full Article: Back Pain Relief My Back Pain Coach Reviews 2024: Does it Really Work?

2. Best Non-invasive Program: The Back Pain Miracle System

What Causes Lower Back Pain

The key to getting rid of back pain is understanding how your body moves and improving its natural movements. If you are looking for simple physical therapy techniques that will give you instant pain relief, The Back Pain Miracle System is the program for you.

Developed by Matt Cook, this program aims to alleviate the symptoms of acute back pain through simple and gentle exercises that anyone of any age can easily perform.

Matt is an expert martial artist and the master of body movements. He has cracked all the movements in the body and knows exactly what you need to improve in order to relieve pain.

For Matt, this program is more than just a treatment option for chronic pain. It is for everyone who wants to improve their mobility and flexibility.

The Back Pain Miracle System consists of simple and well-made tutorials. The tutorials in this program will teach you how to train your body. It doesn’t matter if your back pain is moderate or severe; this program will help you within just a few weeks.

On top of that, you will be able to improve your blood circulatory system; your tissues will be able to receive optimal oxygen, and you will be more relaxed and stronger than ever. This program also contains an e-book, in case you prefer to read instead of watching videos.

Shop at Back Pain Miracle’s Official Website.

>>Related Article: The Back Pain Miracle System Reviews 2024: Does it Really Work?

3. Best Highly Rated: Lose the Back Pain System

What Causes Lower Back Pain

The medicines you are taking for your back pain aren’t working, right? Well, it’s time to give non-invasive treatments a try. We highly recommend the Lose the Back Pain System.

This program is for anyone with any sort of body pain, especially back pain. People with back pain, muscle pain, damaged nerve roots, and joint pain has found this program extremely helpful.

Lose the Back Pain System is more than just a pain relief program. This program aims at educating you about the causes of back pain and other types of pain.

Once you understand why your back is hurting, it’s very easy then to get rid of it. The treatment plans recommended in this program are 100% natural, and the exercises are very easy and incredibly effective.

Shop Lose The Back Pain System at the Official Website.

>> Related Article: Lose the Back Pain System Reviews: Is it Effective?

4. Best Unique Approach: Back Pain Breakthrough

What Causes Lower Back Pain

Back Pain Breakthrough, developed by Dr. Steve Young, is a video coaching program for people suffering from back pain and other bodily pains. This program will help you with a wide range of ailments, including but not limited to sciatica, back pain, spinal stenosis, pain in joints, general discomfort, weakness, and numbness.

Back Pain Breakthrough contains essential exercises that will help you not only get rid of strained muscles but actually strengthen them. This program is about helping you feel relaxed.

Mostly, chronic back pain is due to issues in the spinal canal which is why Dr. Steve Young focuses mainly on treating severe pain in the spinal cord and spinal canal.

This program is a training program. It’s about training your body to become stronger and more flexible. Back Pain Breakthrough will help you enhance your muscle health and boost your energy.

The exercises and other remedies recommended in this program are all verified by Dr. Young and other professional doctors. To make it easier for the patients, this program is available both in the form of video tutorials and e-guides.

You will be able to learn about simple rituals (sometimes as short as 30s rituals) and a 6-part back pain masterclass that will dramatically improve your health. If you could make a back pain fact sheet for yourself, that would be really good for you.

If you truly want a pain-free life, give this program a try.

Shop at Back Pain Breakthrough’s Official Website.

Full Article: Back Pain Breakthrough Review: Does it Work?

Conclusion

Back pain is very discomforting, but you don’t need to lose hope. There are many treatments available on the market, but still, people feel hopeless. That’s because most of the medications don’t really treat the underlying root causes of lower back pain.

If you want long-term results, you have to rely on natural remedies for lower back pain. From simple changes to your diet and exercise routine to supplementation and aromatherapy, there are dozens of remedies.

There are many treatment programs for lower back pain. However, based on our research, the best one is My Back Pain Coach. With the help of this program, you will be able to get rid of back pain completely within two months. 

This program will also make you feel relaxed, improve your motor activities, prevent degenerative disc disease, make you stronger, improve your stamina, and strengthen your nerve roots, bones, and spinal joints. Even if you have sciatica, this program can help you.

>>Related Article: 7 Best Lower Back Pain Treatment • Top Back Pain Relief of 2024

Lower Back Pain FAQs

Is Lower Back Pain Permanent?

In most cases, it is not permanent; however, if your age is above 60 or 70, you are more likely to develop chronic back pain.

Can Lower Back Pain Lead to Paralysis?

Yes, in severe cases, such as the cauda equina syndrome, it can lead to permanent paralysis.

Can Lower Back Pain Occur In Children?

It is extremely rare among children; however, it can occur in some cases, especially due to injuries.

Vanessa Richards

Vanessa is a mom of 3 lovely children and a software geek. Outside of her career as a health and wellness instructor. She enjoys writing and researching on topics such as finance, software, health and culinary.

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