Back pain is a bit of a constant companion to many of us at some point or other, and understanding the causes of back pain is the first step toward finding relief. It’s that dull ache that greets you in the morning after a day spent slumped over your desk or a grumble that starts to make itself heard after you’ve been lifting something heavy. Even just waking up can sometimes feel like a challenge when your back isn’t at its best.
Sometimes it just hits you out of the blue, while other times it’s been building for a while. But when it does, the first thing that springs to mind is, “Why the heck is my lower back killing me?” The thing is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to back pain; it’s a puzzle with loads of different pieces that might be causing the ache.
The good news is that by starting to listen to your body & working out which approach to take, you can start getting a grip on what’s going on & start taking steps to make things better. You’ll gain the tools to start doing something about your back pain, and more to the point, you’ll avoid making things worse down the line.
In this article, we’re going to try to cut through the jargon & break down the most common causes of back pain in simple language and show you how we at Passion Chiropractic can help you start to find some relief from that sharp stabbing pain. Continue reading the rest of the article
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
If you’re wondering what on earth is causing that niggling lower back pain, then this section should start to tie a few loose ends together and show you how to look at it from a slightly different angle and what it might have to do with your day-to-day routine.
Muscle or Ligament Strain
One of the most common reasons people develop back pain is that they’ve strained their muscles or pulled a ligament, usually as a result of just pushing themselves a bit too hard or using their muscles in a way that’s beyond what they can really handle. You might not even notice that your back is going to give you grief at the time, but later on, as hours go by, it can turn into stiffness or pain in the lower back that just isn’t going away.
Lifting, Twisting, and Sudden Movements
Other major factors in back pain are how you move your body during the average day’s tasks. Lifting things the wrong way, twisting your back quickly, or doing any sort of hasty movement without proper support is bound to put pressure on your spine.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
When people ask what’s causing that sharp lower back pain that starts spreading to other areas, one possible reason is a herniated or bulging disc. Your spine has little discs that act as shock absorbers between the bones. When these discs get dislodged or somehow get damaged, they can land on top of nearby nerves.
Degenerative Disc Disease
With age, some stuff in your body just starts to wear out, and your spine is no exception. Degenerative disc disease is what happens when your spinal discs gradually lose their spring and strength as you get older. It’s one of the long-term causes of back pain out there.
Poor Posture and Living a Pretty Sedentary Lifestyle
One of the real simple causes of back pain that tends to get overlooked is poor posture. We’re spending more time than ever sitting at our desks, on our phones, or staring at screens for hours on end, and just aren’t giving a thought to how we’re sitting, let alone how we’re standing or doing anything about our posture.
Arthritis & Spinal Conditions That Can Lead To Back Pain
Some of the causes of back pain really boil down to joint and spine problems. Arthritis can do a whole lot of damage to the joints in your spine, leaving you in a lot of pain and stiffness and making it harder to get around. You hear a lot more about it in older adults, but it’s not something that you have to wait for; young people can get arthritis, too.
What a Chiropractor Can Do For Your Lower Back Pain
If you find yourself getting this nagging sense of ongoing discomfort, you’re probably wondering, “What’s the point of going to see a chiropractor about lower back pain?” Well, for starters, chiropractors focus on your spine and work with you to figure out what’s behind the back pain so you can put a stop to it. That usually means getting your alignment right, working on your mobility, and ideally helping you get a handle on your posture so you can avoid a world of pain in the future.
- Spinal Adjustments
- Posture Correction
- Pain Relief Without Medication
- Exercise and Stretch Guidance
- Identifying the Root Cause
- Chiropractors don’t just treat symptoms
When Should You Visit a Chiropractor?
You must visit our expert chiropractors at Passion Chiropractic if the following are true:
- Pain lasts more than a few days
- Difficulty in movement or bending
- Repeated pain in the lower back causes
- Still wondering why my lower back is hurting
Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Adjustments
Once you really get your head wrapped around the root causes of back pain, the next step is to start giving your daily routine a little tweak at a time. Prevention is often a whole lot easier than trying to fix the problem, and honestly, some really simple habits can make a pretty big difference in keeping your back in good health.
Maintaining Good Posture
Posture really is a huge player in a lot of back pain problems. Give sitting up straight a go and keep your shoulders as relaxed as you can manage. If you’re stuck at a desk all day, make sure your chair is doing its job for your lower back, and your screen is lined up at eye level so you’re not putting your neck through unnecessary strain.
Staying Physically Active
Being a couch slug is a top contributor to lower back pain, and no surprise, really. Taking regular breaks to get some exercise will keep your muscles in pretty good nick, and that includes being flexible, too. Don’t worry about training for a long time; just getting out the front door for a stroll, lifting the kids up to bed, or even just a gentle jog can work absolute magic.
Lifting Heavy Objects
Lifting stuff is one of the most common ways to end up with lower back pain, and usually it’s not because your body can’t handle it; it’s because you’re lifting it the wrong way. Always try rounding your knees a bit and keep the weight close to your body, and try to avoid yanking that load around as if your back were a shop vacuum hose.
Improving Your Sleep Habits
How you sleep can make all the difference to your back, and not in a good way, as it turns out. Get a decent mattress that’s not going to send your spine into a spin and try to sleep in a way that keeps your back in alignment. If your sleep posture is all wrong, then you could be adding to a long-term back pain issue.
Take Breaks from Sitting
Sitting for hours on end can really put a lot of wear and tear on your lower back, so be sure to take a regular break every 30-60 minutes to get up, stretch, or maybe even just step outside for a quick walk around the block. It’s a simple habit that can make a big difference in easing stiffness and even, over time, reduce the chances of your back pain getting any worse.
Manage Stress: It’s A Real Lower Back Killer
Stress is a major muscle tension builder, and it’s one of the worst things that can happen to your lower back. You might be surprised how closely linked stress and lower back pain really are. So take a few minutes each day to unwind with some deep breathing, get your blood moving with some light exercise, or just chill out for a while with some relaxation techniques, whatever works for you.
Conclusion
The thing is, most lower back pain is caused by tiny little things that you’re doing every day, things like slouching over your keyboard or lifting things the wrong way. And when you’re trying to get to the bottom of what’s going on with your lower back, you really need to take a good, hard look at your daily routine.
And if the pain just refuses to budge, it’s worth looking into how a chiropractor at Passion Chiropractic goes about helping people with lower back pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is most likely to cause lower back pain
It’s pretty much muscle strain, sitting slouched and sitting for too long, that gives you back pain most of the time.
Can stress be a lower back pain trigger
Yes, stress can tighten up your muscles and turn into one of those sneaky pain sources in your lower back.
What does a chiropractor do for lower back pain
They sort out your spine; that means getting it properly aligned and all that jazz. They also help you get your posture right and figure out ways to reduce the causes of back pain that won’t hurt you.
Why is my lower back hurting
It could be because of all sorts of things, like strain on the muscles, slouching a bit too much, or not moving enough.
How can I stop getting lower back pain?
- Sit and stand properly
- Stay active
- Lift correctly
- Take breaks
These steps help reduce the causes of back pain.