Lower back pain is incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean you should have to simply live with it. At Health by Design, we see patients dealing with everything from occasional aches and stiffness to ongoing discomfort that interferes with work, exercise, sleep, and everyday life. Because lower back pain can have many different causes, understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms is an important first step toward finding the right approach to care.
Your lower back is made up of muscles, joints, discs, nerves, and other structures that work together to support your body and keep you moving. When something isn’t functioning as it should, discomfort can show up in a variety of ways. Here are seven common reasons your lower back may be hurting.
Muscle Strain or Overuse
Sometimes, the cause of lower back pain is relatively simple: your muscles have been asked to do too much.
Lifting something heavy, starting a new workout, performing repetitive movements, or even making one awkward motion can strain the muscles and soft tissues surrounding your lower back. You may notice soreness, stiffness, muscle spasms, or discomfort that becomes more noticeable with certain movements.
While minor strains often improve with time, recurring pain could be a sign that your body needs a little extra attention.
Sitting for Long Periods
Between desk jobs, long commutes, and time spent relaxing on the couch, many of us sit for a significant portion of the day.
Remaining in the same position for extended periods can contribute to stiffness and discomfort in the lower back, particularly if your workspace or sitting position doesn’t provide adequate support. It can also mean that some of the muscles responsible for supporting your spine aren’t being used as much throughout the day.
Taking regular movement breaks, changing positions, and incorporating activity into your routine can help keep your body moving.
Posture and Movement Habits
Your everyday movement patterns can affect how stress is distributed throughout your body.
Slouching at your desk, repeatedly carrying a bag on one side, standing in the same position for hours, or using improper form while lifting can all place additional stress on certain muscles and joints.
Rather than focusing on maintaining one “perfect” posture all day, regularly changing positions and paying attention to how your body moves can be helpful.
Joint Irritation
Your lower back contains several joints that help your spine bend, twist, and move. Like other joints throughout the body, these structures can become irritated or stiff.
Changes related to activity, injury, repetitive movement, or aging may contribute to discomfort in and around the lower back. Depending on the cause, you might notice stiffness or pain during specific movements or after spending a long time in one position.
At Health by Design, our chiropractors evaluate how your body is moving to better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Disc-Related Issues
Between the bones of your spine are discs that provide cushioning and help your spine move comfortably.
Sometimes, these discs can become irritated or change over time. Conditions such as a bulging or herniated disc may contribute to lower back pain, although disc changes don’t always cause symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they can range from localized discomfort in the lower back to pain or other sensations that travel into the legs.
Nerve Irritation or Sciatica
If your lower back pain is accompanied by pain, tingling, numbness, or other sensations traveling into your buttock or leg, a nerve may be involved.
You’ve probably heard the term sciatica, which describes symptoms associated with irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that form it. These symptoms can vary significantly from person to person, which is why determining what is contributing to them is an important part of deciding what care may be appropriate.
An Underlying Condition
Although many cases of lower back pain are related to muscles, joints, discs, or movement, sometimes pain can be associated with another health condition.
Arthritis and certain spinal conditions are a few possibilities, while less commonly, lower back pain can be related to issues outside of the musculoskeletal system.
That’s one reason persistent, severe, or unexplained pain shouldn’t simply be ignored. Seeking an evaluation can help determine what may be causing your symptoms and what your next steps should be.
When Should You Get Your Lower Back Pain Checked Out?
An occasional sore back after a strenuous workout or busy weekend may resolve on its own. But if your pain keeps returning, lasts for an extended period, limits your movement, or begins interfering with your everyday activities, it may be time to have it evaluated.
You should seek prompt medical attention for back pain following a significant injury or when it occurs alongside symptoms such as new bowel or bladder problems, numbness around the groin or saddle area, significant or worsening weakness, fever, or other concerning symptoms.
Ready to Find Out What’s Causing Your Lower Back Pain?
If lower back pain is keeping you from moving, working, exercising, or simply feeling like yourself, it may be time to get to the root of what’s going on. At Health by Design, our team takes the time to understand your symptoms, assess how your body is moving, and create a personalized approach to care based on your individual needs.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule an appointment with Health by Design today and let’s get you back to moving and feeling your best.