Lower back pain is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being. Whether it's due to poor posture, muscle strain, or underlying medical conditions, finding relief from lower back pain is essential for maintaining quality of life. While medication and surgery are options, many individuals prefer natural remedies to alleviate discomfort and promote long-term healing. Keep reading to learn the causes of pain in the lower back, valuable tips for managing and treating your symptoms at home, and when to see a back specialist about options to relieve the pain you feel.

Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Symptoms associated with back pain can vary depending on the cause or severity of the injury or condition. Some common symptoms include:

• Trouble Bending or Twisting Your Back
• Difficulty Standing Up Straight
• Dull Aches or Stabbing Pains
• Pains That Radiate Down One or Both Legs
• Weakness, Numbness, or Tingling Sensations

Types of Injuries

Anyone can sustain an acute injury resulting in lower back pain. Still, they’re particularly prevalent in athletes who participate in high-contact sports like basketball, football, or rugby. They can also happen in a car accident, fall, or another traumatic event.

The most common types of injuries that contribute to back pain include:

• Sprains (Overstretched or Torn Ligaments)
• Strains (Tears in Tendons or Muscles)
• Spasms (Sudden Contraction of a Muscle or Group of Muscles)

Risk Factors for Developing Low Back Pain

• Advanced Age. Back pain becomes more common as you age. Bone strength loss from osteoporosis leads to fractures, and muscle elasticity and tone decrease. Your intervertebral discs also lose fluid and flexibility with age, which decreases their ability to cushion your vertebrae.
• Excess Weight. Being overweight or obese puts extra stress on the spine, contributing to an increased risk of low back pain.
• Smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes restrict blood flow and oxygen to your discs, causing them to degenerate faster and cause pain.
• Your Job. If your job requires heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling, you’re at higher risk for back pain. Working at a desk can also cause pain, especially if you don’t practice good posture.
• Fitness-Level. Back pain is more common among people with weak back and abdominal muscles that can’t properly support the spine. Getting moderate physical activity every day can help maintain the integrity of your spinal discs.
• Genetics. Some conditions that cause back pain are genetic, like ankylosing spondylitis. So, if people in your family suffer from them, you might be at higher risk.

At UrgentWay Clinic, we have an experienced team of physical and pain management physicians, sports medicine physicians, and spine surgeons who can evaluate you and start you on a path to relief for your lower back pain.