7 Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Recently updated

Lower back pain is one of the most common health issues in adults. This problem can disrupt your normal daily routine, affect your sleep quality, and even limit your daily activities. Pain can come on suddenly or increase gradually, be acute or stabbing, temporary or chronic. It is important to understand the possible causes of lower back pain so that we can take timely action and avoid serious complications. In this article, we have gathered seven common causes of lower back pain that you should be aware of.

1. Lack of exercise

Modern people spend most of their day sitting: at the computer, in the car, on the couch. Sitting for long periods without adequate lumbar support and regular breaks leads to overloading of the lumbar spine. Back muscles become weaker, blood circulation deteriorates, and joint mobility decreases. All of this can cause chronic or recurring lower back pain. Regular warm-ups, light exercises, and walks can significantly reduce the risk of such pain.

2. Bad posture

Posture plays a key role in spinal health. Muscles and vertebrae are subjected to uneven stress when a person walks with a crooked posture, bends forward, or sits with a hunched back. Over time, this can lead to herniated discs, muscle inflammation, and ongoing discomfort. To avoid pain, pay attention to your posture, especially when sitting. Use ergonomic furniture and take breaks to stretch.

3. Lifting heavy weights with incorrect technique

Many people get back injuries because they lift heavy objects incorrectly. You risk injuring your lower back if you bend forward to lift a heavy object instead of squatting. This movement can lead to muscle strain, disc displacement, or even a herniated disc. To avoid injury, always lift heavy objects using the strength of your legs, keeping your back straight, and contracting your abdominal muscles.

4. Stress and psycho-emotional tension

Few people know that stress can cause not only headaches, but also back pain. Strong emotional experiences can lead to constant tension in the muscles of the body, including the lumbar spine. This chronic tension causes fatigue, cramps, and pain. Relaxation exercises such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises help reduce internal tension and relieve pain.

5. Spinal problems

If lower back pain occurs regularly, it may indicate more serious back diseases. For example, a herniated disc puts pressure on the nerve roots, causing stabbing or pulling pain, sometimes radiating into the leg. Degenerative disc disease, an age-related change in the intervertebral discs, can also be a cause of pain. In these cases, it is important to be examined by a specialist and receive appropriate treatment.

6. Obesity

Being overweight increases the load on the spine, especially in the lower back. The lower back is one of the most vulnerable areas and is constantly exposed to stress when overweight. Moreover, belly fat shifts the body's center of gravity forward, which puts additional stress on the lower back. Weight loss, a healthy diet, and regular physical activity can help relieve symptoms and pain.

7. Sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve)

Sciatica is one of the most common causes of lower back pain, especially when it radiates to the buttocks, thigh, or even the leg. This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body, becomes pinched or inflamed. The cause may be a herniated disc, a spasm of the piriformis muscle, trauma, or severe strain on the lumbar spine. Sciatica pain can be burning, stabbing, or tingling, and may be accompanied by numbness in the limbs. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, pain medication, and in more severe cases, specialist intervention. You can search for "sciatica doctor near me" to find an experienced and qualified specialist in your area.

The bottom line

Lower back pain can have many causes, ranging from a sedentary lifestyle to serious back problems. The main thing is not to ignore the body's signals. If the pain doesn’t go away or gets worse, you should see a doctor. To reduce the risk of pain, try to maintain an active lifestyle, control your weight, and sit, sleep, and lift weights correctly.