Causes Of Lower Back Pain - Understanding What Brings Forth Your Discomfort

Lower back pain is a common complain among young and old people. When such discomfort attacks, you could possibly be disturbed or stopped from performing your usual routines. In order to deal with the condition accordingly, you first need to identify the probable causes of lower back pain. Causes are usually identified according to the symptoms observed in a patient.

In Younger Adults

Back Muscle Strain. Lower back soreness in younger adults, aged 30-60 years old, is usually indicated by aching sensations in the lower region of the back after a physical activity, when moving suddenly or when lifting heavy objects. You may find it hard to move, so severe that you might not be able to stand or to walk. The pain might move around your groin, upper thigh or buttock, but not below your knee. There are also some muscle spasms you could experience.

Possible cause of these symptoms is muscle or ligament strain. Microscopic tears could develop when the ligaments or muscles are stretched such as when you move suddenly, twist your body or lift heavy objects. These back strains frequently heal by themselves and along with simple treatments like rest, heat/ice application, gentle stretches and anti-inflammatory OTC drugs.

Lumbar Herniated Disc. This is the frequent cause of pain in the lower back that is also felt down to the feet or simply, sciatica. The pain is constant and could be worse in the leg/foot area. In most cases, only one side of the leg or butt can be affected. If you are sitting or standing still, the soreness could be worse and you might find relief when you walk. Your leg or foot could also suffer from numbness, weakness and difficulty of movement.

Various modes of treatments can be used, but it is best to consult with a doctor so you will know what treatments are most appropriate for you. Treatments for sciatica include painkillers, exercises, physiotherapy, compression packs and corticosteroid injections.

In Older Adults

Facet joint osteoarthritis. In older adults aged over 60 years old, lower back pains are also common and caused by different factors like Facet joint osteoarthritis. Pains and stiffness in the lower area of the back are typically more intense during mornings and evenings. The soreness could interrupt a person's sleep. There is also localized tenderness if you pressed the affected body part. You could be unable to bend at your waist.

This is a degenerative condition known to gradually develop after a while. The cartilage in between the spine's facet joints break down. Treatment options include long-term management involving proper exercises, good posture, medications, heat applications and chiropractic manipulations.

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Or Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. This could also include pain in the legs as you stand straight or walk. You might find relief when you sit down. The symptoms aggravate after some time. You could also experience sciatica with this.

These two conditions provide tension on the nerves at places where these nerves are known to get out of the spine. Normal walking and standing add more pressure on the nerves. Treatment options include activity modification, epidural injections, manual manipulations and surgery.