Back pain is one of the most common reasons Americans visit the hospital daily. Lower back pain is the most common form of back pain that people experience. Worldwide, back pain is the leading cause of disability. It is also why most people fail to show up for work for a few days. 

Usually, the symptom is a secondary condition caused by a Structure Shift of your spine.  Structural Shift is a condition where one or more vertebrae of your spine have shifted from their normal position and have become “stuck” in a position that causes dysfunction of the spinal joint. Structural Shift can be caused by injury, muscle strain, or other medical conditions. According to experts, most people will encounter their first episode of back pain between 30 and 50 years of age. As we age, our body isn’t as capable of adapting and healing from the wear and tear of repetitive motions and poor postures when working. This is true whether it is sitting at a desk all day or working at a construction site.

So, what causes lower back pain? What are the treatments available for lower back pain? Read on to learn more.

What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain, as mentioned, can be due to a Structure Shifting of your spine. Here are the most common causes:


 

Muscle Strains

If you engage in an activity that engages your back, like lifting or moving heavy things, there is extreme pressure on your back. Excessive stress and weight can cause your back muscles, tendons, and ligaments to stretch and tear. And if you make sudden movements or turns, you can cause a tear or strain of the spinal muscles that support your structure. 

If you tear or overstretch a muscle or ligament, you will usually experience stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms.

Herniated Spinal Discs

Your spine is comprised of vertebral bones separated by intervertebral spinal discs. The intervertebral spinal discs are like spongy pads that act as shock absorbers that help with mobility and support. As you age, the discs are more prone to injury because they become less spongy and less resilient to physical stress. The most common injury is when the outside of the disc tears or herniates. It usually happens when the cushion between the vertebrae extends or bulges beyond its normal position. The change in position compresses the nerve root as it branches off the spinal cord and exits the spinal column. It is usually a result of the cartilage around a disc pushing against the nerve root or spinal cord.

Pain from a herniated disc can last up to six weeks. It can occur due to back trauma or degenerative changes from age.

Spinal Stenosis

As with herniated discs, stenosis is usually associated with degenerative changes to your spine, such as arthritis. In Spinal Stenosis, there is a narrowing of the space between the vertebral bones or within the spinal column itself. Degeneration can change the shape of the vertebrae or cause the formation of extra bone, narrowing the space through which the nerves and spinal cord pass through the spine. The compression created by Spinal Stenosis may cause symptoms like pain, cramping, numbness, and weakness. Spinal Stenosis of the low back can also affect the nerves controlling the function of the digestive or reproductive systems.

Other Medical Conditions That Cause Lower Back Pain

Here are other common medical conditions that may cause lower back pain. They are usually symptoms of the disease, and you need to treat them to resolve the back pain completely.

 

• Arthritis
   

• Fibromyalgia
   

• Osteoporosis
   

• Spondylitis
   

• Spondylosis

Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain

Basing your health and wellness on symptoms, or lack thereof, can be misleading. Although the symptoms of lower back pain can resolve slowly over time, the cause of the problem may remain. To reduce the chances of recurring low back pain, you can have your spine evaluated to seek the underlying cause of the dysfunction.

Here are some standard treatment options

Structural Correction Chiropractic Care

You can visit a Structural Corrective Chiropractor for your low back pain. Despite the presenting symptoms, Structural Corrective Chiropractors will seek out the cause of your low back pain to make a precise diagnosis and determine if you are suffering from Structural Shift. If Structural Shift is the cause of the problem, then a plan for correction can be established. Otherwise, the chiropractor should refer you to get the care you need.

Medication

You can take some over-the-counter medication to help you cope with the pain. However, this method simply masks the symptom rather than addressing the cause. It also will not ensure you prevent a repeat of the same issue.

For more about common causes and treatments of lower back pain, visit Premier Chiropractic of Tyler at our office in Tyler, Texas. Call (903) 602-1600 to book an appointment today.