Lower Back Pain: 5 Causes of Pain in the Lower Back
© Michelle Howard Smith - All Rights Reserved
While a doctor is your best source for diagnosing causes of lower back pain, it's always good to know of the potential causes of this common problem so that you are well informed and prepared should you need any sort of treatment. Lower back pain can be caused by a number of conditions but let's take a look at five of the most common causes:
Back Muscle Strain
Pain in the lower back can be cause by simply pulling a muscle after lifting a heavy object. Back muscle strain can also occur after exercising. It's important to note that if you have poor abdominal muscles, your lower back is more susceptible to strains. A strong abdomen helps to protect lower back muscles from strain. Hmmm, another case for exercising...to strengthen your back.
Herniated Disk Pain
Just the sound of the word "herniated" sounds painful. Your lower back area has these soft disks between the spine and the bones. The purpose of the disks are to allow for movement in your back. As you get older (notice I didn't say old because herniated disk pain is most common for people in their 30s and 40s), if your disks are weak, they can push through a tear that's formed in the outer area of the disk and cause it to push up against the nerves in that area. This is what's known as a bulging disk and can cause chronic pain. Herniated disk pain is not just felt in the lower back but also in the legs depending on which disk is bulging out and how far.
Kidney Stones
Having kidney stones can be very painful, especially when the stone is about to pass. Of course, the size of the stone will determine the severity of the pain but it is very common to have lower back pain as well as a number of other symptoms such as blood in the urine.
The pain fluctuates between a dull aching pain and a stabbing pain that feels like someone is drilling into your organs with a knife. It's horrific. Many times a hospital visit is in order just to alleviate the pain. My ex-husband passed kidney stones twice during our marriage and he was miserable (probably more miserable than us being married).
Back Pain and The Flu
Yes,
as simple as it sounds, you can get lower back pain from a bout with
the flu. The flu virus causes muscle pains all over the body. Resting
and drinking plenty of fluids is usually the only way to treat the flu
as it is viral and not bacterial. The good news is after a few days,
if you have the flu, your low back pain will begin to subside.
Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy
Ok so if you
are a male, this certainly isn't your problem. For women, the very act
of having another human being growing inside of you causes pressure on
your lower back, resulting in low back pain. It may be especially
uncomfortable if you have a small frame and have a large baby growing.
It's not real fun but in 9 months it will all be over. Actually, with
each of my children I didn't get lower back pain while I was pregnant
until the final 2 months so maybe it won't even be an issue for you.
Now that you are aware of some potential causes of lower back pain, you can at least go see your doctor armed with information and you can even prepare a list of questions. In the meantime, alternating warm compressions and a lower back support pad can be helpful to alleviate lower back pain in most individuals.
Whatever you do, if your lower back pain is excruciating or does not subside in a couple of days, don't neglect to see a doctor. You may require an x-ray, other medical treatment to determine back pain causes or medication to help with the pain.
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