Of all the medical ailments people endure, low back pain is one of the most common. However, there are lots of reasons for low back pain. To a lot of peoples’ surprise, low back pain is not always the result of lifting something too heavy or a slip and fall. For that reason, let’s take a look at a few of the factors that cause low back pain.

1. Lumbar Muscle Strain

One of the biggest reasons for low back pain is a straining of the muscles in the lumbar region. Most people do not even remember what they did to cause the strain. Not picking up objects in the proper manner, sitting stationary for an extensive time period, or even recreational sports can all strain your lumbar muscles.

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2. Pinched Nerve

In between each of your vertebrae, nerves branch off of your spinal cord and exit into your body. If one or more of your vertebra gets twisted and out of place (i.e. subluxated), this could “pinch” one of your spinal nerves. Pain could then result in the area of the nerve impingement or the pain could follow the path of the nerve and radiate out into your body.

3. Arthritis Of The Lumbar Spine

Even though arthritis is most commonly associated with joints in the finger, knees and shoulders, the spine has numerous articulating joints which are also susceptible to arthritis. Arthritis can be the result of a previous trauma or injury, or it may be merely a consequence of the natural process of growing older.

4. Bulging Or Ruptured Disc

Separating each of your vertebrae are discs. In the center of each disc is a gel-like substance that acts somewhat as a shock absorber. As a result of injury or trauma to the spine, discs can become damaged. The gel-like substance can produce a herniation of the disc which resembles a bulge on a defective inner tube of a tire. The bulging disc could then impinge upon the adjacent spinal nerve. In acute conditions, a bulging disc can rupture.

Diagnosing Low Back Pain

The good news is that most low back pain resolves itself on it’s own. However, if your back pain persists or gets worse after several days, it is recommended that you see a physician.

A routine medical examination with basic orthopedic tests can help establish the root of the problem. X-rays are also part of the standard diagnosis protocol. Depending on the results of the initial exam and tests, an MRI may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of the pain, medication, muscle relaxers or a local injection initially may be required to make the pain tolerable. However, this pain relief is often only temporary and the pain will recur unless the underlying cause of the problem is treated.

A conservative treatment approach like physical therapy and/or chiropractic adjustments will usually correct most low back pain problems. In severe cases where the body does not respond and the pain continues, surgery may be necessary to repair the affected area.

When You Should See A Physician

As stated above, low back pain often resolves itself without any medical treatment. However, if your back pain persists for much more than a couple of days or keeps you up at night, it is strongly recommended that you see a physician for a in depth evaluation to establish the problem, then get suitable treatment to correct the problem.

About the author: Dr. Fabrizio Di Noto is a primary care doctor that practices in Michigan. If you are suffering from lower back pain and need pain relief for back pain please call his office to schedule an appointment or visit his website at http://www.drfabriziodinoto.com.