Your lumbar spine works and moves all day long, making it a very important part of your body. However, amid all the work, a back injury or sprain can make you feel like you can no longer function properly. Spraining a ligament or straining the muscle can easily lead to lower back pain. 

Still, these causes are not very serious or long-lasting and can be easily treated. But if the pain stays, then you should seek medical help.

• Lower back pain is one of the top reasons people visit a doctor worldwide.
• Obesity significantly increases the risk of lower back pain by adding strain on spinal discs.
• Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, can cause chronic nerve-related back pain.
• Degenerative disc disease often begins after age 30, as spinal discs naturally lose water content.
• Chronic stress and muscle tension are often overlooked but common triggers of back pain.
• Poor posture during prolonged sitting or using digital devices can lead to persistent discomfort.

 People who are overweight tend to have more back pain because of the extra body weight. This weight puts pressure on the discs and joints and makes them hurt. Calculating your BMI and taking necessary measures if you are underweight or overweight is recommended. 

Weight has many serious health hazards.

Aging is a natural and unavoidable phenomenon which causes wear and tear on our bodies. Back pain is also directly related to age; people over 30 have weaker bones and tissues, and the discs get worn out. 

This can cause extreme stiffness and pain in the lower back.

People with a history of lower back issues, osteoarthritis, and other diseases have a higher chance of suffering from low back pain. Whenever you consult a doctor, never forget to tell your history.

 Sometimes, your job and other recreational activities cause this issue, especially if your routine includes lifting heavy objects. Also, people who drink or smoke or have a stagnant lifestyle deal with back pain more often. 

Back pain can also occur due to anxiety, depression, or structural issues such as scoliosis. Many women experience lower back pain after c-section deliveries. Whenever you experience lower back pain that does not go away, you need to consult a doctor.

Lower back pain becomes chronic if it lasts for more than three months and is not healing on its own. This pain is usually because of a joint issue, disc problem, or severe accident. Let’s discuss the reasons behind it.

Your intervertebral discs have a protective covering that can wear and tear as time passes. When this happens, the inner disc tissue pushes through the outer layer; when the disc bulges out, it is known as the lumbar herniated disc or slipped disc. The herniation puts pressure on the nerve roots, leading to pain in the back and a sensation of weakness and numbness. 

You have two facet joints that are located behind the disc present in your lumbar spine. These joints have cartilage between the bones and a capsular ligament surrounding them. This ligament is innervated by nerves, leading to intense pain on its own or with disc pain. 

When you are born, the intervertebral discs are filled with water and are in their healthiest state. As you age over time, these discs lose water and get worn down. Because of this hydration loss, the disc cannot resist and transfer forces to the disc wall and can get torn or be painful. This leads to herniation and causes back pain. Sometimes the disc completely collapses and leads to stenosis.  

Spinal stenosis leads to severe pain in the lower back, which is caused when your spinal canal narrows. The spinal canal is where the nerve roots are present, so the narrowing can lead to pain in your back. 

This common condition happens due to wear and tear on the facet joints and disc. It can lead to inflammation, pain, instability, and stenosis. This can occur in the lower back or even in the upper back. Spinal osteoarthritis is usually because of old age, progressing slowly. It is known as a degenerative joint disorder. 

Another common reason for lower back pain is dislocation or fracture of the spine, which occurs due to a traumatic incident. Most of the time, teenagers who get into an accident, fight, or fall from a height develop intense lower back pain. 

Yes, lower back pain is treatable through different treatment options. Suppose your pain does not go away on its own. In that case, you must visit a doctor immediately to diagnose the reason. Your doctor may figure out the reason on his own or ask you to get an MRI, CT scan, spine x-ray, or an EMG, depending on how severe the pain is. 

Lower back issues usually get better by using over-the-counter medications and rest. Still, if your x-ray or scan shows any severity, then there are other treatment options that your doctor may recommend. These options include prescribed medication, physical therapy, injections, and surgery. To avoid surgery, it is advised to visit the doctor as soon as the pain starts. 

Even though you cannot prevent yourself from aging or altering genetic diseases, there are some ways you can prevent lower back pain. The first thing to do is to get physically active. Make sure you have a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. Avoid lifting heavy objects. If you need to lift something heavy, then the right way is by squatting yourself and letting your knees and hips do the work. With these few tips, you can avoid lower back pain. 

Lower back pain may be incredibly painful, but it is treatable and gets better with the help of pain relievers and an improving lifestyle. In severe cases, it can cause stiffness and pain. If left untreated, the condition worsens, and the patient must undergo painful procedures, including surgery. Several factors may contribute to lower back pain, including the patient history, genetics, chronic diseases, and higher BMI.