Understanding Lower Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Relief Strategies
Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a healthcare specialist or miss work and physical activity. Whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp stabbing sensation, lower back pain can significantly affect your quality of life. Fortunately, most cases can be managed or treated with the right approach and conservatively.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
Some causes of lower back pain
Common symptoms
Treatment options
Tips for pain relief
When to see a healthcare specialist
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain can stem from a variety of causes. Understanding the source is the first step toward relief.
Muscle Strain - Overuse, poor posture, or lifting heavy objects without correct technique can strain muscles and ligaments in your lower back.
Herniated or Bulging Discs - Spinal discs serve as cushions between the vertebrae. If a disc bulges or ruptures, it can press against nearby nerves and cause pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease - As we age, spinal discs naturally wear down. This degeneration can lead to acute bursts and chronic lower back pain.
Sciatica - Compression of the sciatic nerve can cause pain that radiates from your lower back down one or both legs.
Arthritis - Osteoarthritis in the spine can lead to lower back stiffness and pain, particularly in older adults.
Inflammatory Causes - Ankylosing spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis
Lifestyle & Postural Factors - Sedentary lifestyle, Obesity, Sitting for long periods, especially with poor posture, weakens the core muscles that support the spine.
When to see a healthcare specialist:
Pain that lasts more than a few weeks.
Pain that’s severe or getting worse.
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your lower limb and legs.
Pain after a fall, injury, or significant accident.
Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.
Unexplained weight loss, fever, or night sweats with back pain.
Common Symptoms:
A dull, aching pain in the lower back.
Sharp or stabbing pain that may worsen with movement.
Stiffness or reduced range of movement.
Pain that radiates down into the buttocks, legs, or feet (sciatica).
Muscle spasms and tightness.
Pain that improves with rest but worsens with certain activities or prolonged sitting/standing.
Difficulty standing up straight from a seated position or walking normally.
Treatment Options
Self-Care and Lifestyle Modifications
Resting briefly, then returning to gentle movement
Applying heat or ice packs
Practicing good posture
Gentle stretching or low-impact exercise
Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
Strengthening and flexibility exercises
Posture and movement training
Other Therapies
Massage
Cognitive behavioural therapy (for chronic pain)
Medications
Medical Procedures (for persistent or severe cases)
Steroid injections
Surgery (rare, for specific structural problems)
