What Causes Lower Back Pain?

by: Marie Serrado

Lower back pain can happen to anyone. In fact, it happens to all of us at some point in our lives. In some cases, it can get better with time, but in other cases can be a serious problem. So, what causes lower back pain? According to John Hopkins Medicine, “Your lower back is where your spine connects to your pelvis, bearing the weight of your upper body. This area experiences a lot of movement and stress, which may lead to wear, tear, and injuries” (M.D Chhatre, Akil).
Some Common forms of lower back pain are:

• Arthritis in the Spine- It’s the most frequent cause of lower back pain. This is when the slow degeneration of the spinal joints occurs.
• Back Injuries- A car accident or even a fall can cause this injury. But you can also acquire back injuries by doing everyday tasks, such as carrying a baby or holding a laundry basket.
• Herniated Discs- When you herniate a disk, it happens most frequently in the lower back. Symptoms of a ‘bulging’ or herniated disc vary and may include tingling or numbness, weakness of the leg muscle, pain in the back, pain radiating down the leg, and may even cause bowel and bladder problems.
• The Sacro-Iliac joint is also a common cause of lower back pain.

Even some lifestyle factors can cause lower back pain such as:

• Smoking- According to John Hopkins Medicine smoking causes inflammation inside the body which hinders the body from healing.
• Obesity- People with high body mass index (BMI) create stress on the spine.
• Physical Activity- Your level of physical activity can affect your lower back. If you are living a sedentary lifestyle that can increase-your chances for lower back pain.

With these common factors and lifestyle factors, you must be careful not to strain
or sprain your lower back.

References:

1. Chhatre, A. (2022) Lower back pain: What could it be?, Lower Back Pain: What Could It
   Be? | Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/back-pain/lower-back-
   pain-what-could-it-be (Accessed: March 13, 2023).