What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is a common cause of work-related disability and a higher percentage of people at some point in their lives. Lower back pain in Las Vegas has well-trained orthopedic surgeons and spine professionals who diagnose and treat lower back pain by noninvasive procedures.
Causes of lower back pain
Strains: The ligaments and muscles in the back can tear or stretch due to excess cavities. Symptoms include stiffness and pain in the lower back. Repetitive heavy lifting can strain the spinal ligaments and back muscles.
Bulging or ruptured disks: They act as pillows between the vertebrate in the spine. Soft materials inside a disk might rupture or bulge and press on the nerve. You can have a ruptured disk or a bulging disk without back pain. Disk disease is usually found when you have spine X-rays for other reasons.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis might affect the lower back. In most cases, arthritis in the spine might lead to a condition known as stenosis, narrowing the space around the spinal cord. The result of spinal stenosis is compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots, such as discs.
Sciatica: This occurs if the herniated disc compresses on the sciatic nerve. The nerve connects the legs with the spine. Sciatica might cause pain in the feet and legs. The pain normally feels like needles, pins, or burning.
Risk factors for developing lower back pain
Age: Lower back pain normally occurs at the age of 30 to 50, and it becomes common when aging. Osteoporosis causes loss of bone strength and can lead to fractures; simultaneously, the muscles tone and elasticity decrease. The intervertebral discs start to flex with age, decreasing the ability to support the vertebrate. Spinal stenosis risk increases as you age.
Fitness level: People who are not physically fit are at risk of having back pain. Weak abdominal muscles might not support the spine properly. People who go to exercise too much after being inactive for a week, are most likely to experience painful back injuries than those who work daily. Research has shown that low aerobic exercise may help maintain intervertebral discs.
Job-related factors: Having a job that needs you to push or pull, lifting heavy objects, mostly if they involve vibrating or twisting the spine, might lead to back pain and injury. Working all day at a desk may contribute to pain, mainly from poor posture and sitting on a chair that lacks enough back support.
Mental health: Depression and anxiety might influence how one takes their pain and their perception of its seriousness. Pains that later become chronic also might lead to the development of these psychological factors. Stress also affects the body in mysterious ways, including muscle tension.
Smoking: Smokers have high rates of back pain. This can occur because smoking triggers more coughing, which leads to herniated disks. Smoking might decrease blood flow through the spine and increase the risk of getting osteoporosis.
Back pain can make you uncomfortable. If you feel a sharp pain in your lower back, you should not hesitate, seek medical help immediately to prevent further damages. McNulty Spine provides traditional surgical and non-surgical techniques to eliminate back pain and improve your quality of life. Book an appointment today for more information.
