What causes low back pain?

Low back pain, a musculoskeletal disorder of the lower back, can come in varied degrees of pain level.

Many things can be the cause of low back pain, but most typically it is caused by muscular strain, injury to the lower back including the discs, ligaments, and muscles that are surrounding the spine area.  It can also be caused by just plain over usage.

Other conditions that can cause low back pain are: Scoliosis, kyphosis, and other spinal deformities. Pelvic inflammatory disease Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowed spinal canal.  This tends to occur in older adults.  

Herniation of the disc due to increased lower back pressure such as in lifting the incorrectly.  This can also be caused by repetition of vibration or motion.

Disorders of the urinary tract such as in an infection of the urine or kidney stones.  Disorders of the gall bladder Compression fractures, more commonly noted in older women who are afflicted with osteoporosis.  

Pancreatitis Spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis, which are a defect in the vertebras that move across each other during activity. 

Disorders of the prostate Aneurysm Spinal injury caused by a blunt force accident. Spinal growths that cause pressure on the spinal column including the nerves. Infection in the spinal area through the bloodstream.  This is caused by bacteria entering the body.

Ankylosing spondylitis, which is an inflamed area most notably in the spine. Ulcers Scheuermann’s disorder, which is a development of deformities in the spinal column in the form of a wedge. 

Paget’s disease, which accounts for bone abnormalities of the legs, chest, spine, pelvis, and chest areas. 

As you can see the occurrence of low back pain is high considering all of its many causes.  Almost everyone will have some incidence of lower back pain sometime in their life.  For some the pain will be mild, but for others the pain can be quite severe.

If you do have symptoms of low back pain you can try just resting and using an over-the-counter analgesic.  As well, heat or ice applied to the lower back area might prove to be helpful.  If symptoms continue or worsen and they are not relieved by these methods than your primary care physician should be notified for possible other diagnostics testing or forms of treatment that might cure or alleviate the pain.

Your primary care physician might very well suggest surgery and/or medication for better management of your lower back pain.