Lower back pain is a condition in which a person suffers pain in the lower back, which starts below the rib cage and is also called the lumbar region. The pain can also extend to the buttocks and the legs. In most cases, lower back pain is the result of an injury, such as muscle sprains or strains due to poor body mechanics.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Stiffness and pain in the lower part of the back, which may also extend to the buttocks and legs. This pain is can be caused by injured muscles, ligaments, joints, and discs that support the lower back of the spine, like:
Overstrained muscles, or muscles that may become weak due to lack of exercise
Poor posture
Degenerated or herniated discs at the lumbar spine
Conditions such as osteoarthritis, myofascial pain, or fibromyalgia
Risk Factors for Lower Back Pain
The risk of suffering from lower back pain increases by the following factors:
Age
Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of having degenerative disc disease.
Leading a sedentary lifestyle will leave your back muscles weak
Lifting heavy loads
Poor posture over long periods of time
Poor ergonomics at the workplace
Signs of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain symptoms vary from case to case. Some may experience a dull ache while others may feel a severe and shooting pain in the lower back region (lumbosacral spinal region), sometimes radiating to the legs (lower limbs). The pain can make it hard to move or stand straight. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should speak with your Doctor immediately and avoid further injury to your spinal cord and nerves.
Treatment: Physiotherapy for Lower Back
Once a diagnosis can be confirmed by an experienced medical doctor, then a trained Physiotherapist can provide an additional assessment to create a treatment plan that will help you to strengthen your back muscles for good posture and coach you on lower back exercises that will not hurt your back.
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