Why do you experience Lower Back Pain?

It may not seem like it but your lower back is one of the most complex places that exist in your body. It is a place where such things as nerves, discs, bones, tendons and spinal muscles all come together. With all the movement and nerve activity that takes place in this area it’s no wonder that anyone experiences pain there from time to time. This pain can be temporary and caused by something such as a simple increase in activity or it can be chronic and caused by a much more serious condition in your body.

Here are some typical reasons for your onset of lower back pain:

• The very large nerve roots that go all the way down to your legs may have become irritated
• A group of smaller nerves in the lower back may have become irritated
• A strain may have occurred to one of the large muscles in your lower back
• Damage may have occurred to joints, bones or ligaments that are located in your lower back
• Disc degeneration may have taken place

Any one of these by itself or in combination with another may cause lower back pain or pain that radiates to another part of your body (referred pain). These conditions also typically cause back spasms which can result in intense pain and even be completely disabling to an area of your body.

Lower back pack intensity is often not associated with the severity of the problem unlike other illnesses or conditions of the body. People will often go visit the emergency room when experiencing the severe pain of a simple muscle strain in their lower back yet a serious condition like the degeneration of a disc is often left untreated because it only causes minor back discomfort.

As with any sickness, disease or other unhealthy condition in your body, an effective treatment for lower back pain cannot be found until the cause of the problem is properly diagnosed. Keep in mind that many Chiropractors such as us have wellness programs in place that will either help lessen the severity of your symptoms or get rid of them altogether.

The Most Common Causes

Doctors have noticed that there are certain causes of lower back problems that happen more frequently in younger adults and others that happen more frequently to older adults.

• Common lower back problems in 30 to 60 year old persons tend to be the result of such things as disc degeneration, muscle strains and soft tissue problems.
• Adults over 60 are much more prone to suffering from such conditions as joint degeneration, osteoarthritis or from a compression fracture.

Is There a Time when Urgent Treatment is required as a result of Lower Back Pain?

Under most circumstances lower back pain does not necessitate seeking emergency medical attention. The exception to this rule is if you have received trauma to your back in something such as a car accident or your lower back pain is accompanied by the following conditions:

• Severe chills or fever
• Recent and unexplained weight loss
• Severe weakness in your legs
• Bowel or bladder incontinence, the failure to urinate or prolonged constipation
• Severe abdominal pain that does not fluctuate in intensity