The Most Common Causes Of Lower Back Pain Are A Strain Or Sprain
Whether you notice it or not, your lumbar spine gets put to work throughout the entire day.
Amid all of this work and motion, a lower back sprain or strain can result from an acute injury, such as one experienced while falling, lifting something too heavy or playing sports. A sprain or strain can also develop over time due to repetitive movements or poor posture.
“Straining a muscle or spraining a ligament are the most common causes of lower back pain,” says Dr. Palmer. “While they can be serious, these common causes of lower back pain aren’t long-lasting taking anywhere from a few days to heal or, at most, a few months.”
Your doctor can help you determine the particular course of self-care that can help heal your lower back pain.
“The treatment for a pulled back muscle or strained back ligament is fairly simple and can include pain and anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers, ice to help reduce inflammation, heat to promote healing, and avoiding strenuous activity until the pain recedes,” explains Dr. Palmer. “The best course of care will depend on the severity of your injury as well as your overall core and lower body strength.”
If your lower back pain persists despite treatment, it may be time to consider other causes of lower back pain.
When To See Your Gp
You should speak to your GP as soon as possible if you have back pain and:
- find it difficult to pass or control urine
- feel numbness or altered sensation around your back passage or genitals – such as wiping after the toilet
- have pins and needles around your back passage or genitals – such as wiping after the toilet
If your GP surgery is closed, phone 111.
Whats Common Is Common
Next, try to think about common conditions before thinking about rare conditions. In medicine that is called If you hear hooves, think about horses before you think about zebras. Leg pain from tight muscles is common. Tight muscles can cause leg pain standing, sitting and laying down. It depends on which muscles are tight. Often, many muscle groups are tight. So patients could have back pain and leg pain. Sometimes, leg pain from tight muscles is hard to tell apart from other, more serious, causes of leg pain. Many of the orthopedic issues mentioned above are common in people who older than 40 years. Peripheral artery disease is common in people older than 40 as well, but will typically not cause pain with standing.
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Exercises To Correct Imbalances Associated With Standing To Prevent Injury For Relief
It is vital to correct any muscle imbalances in these muscles groups to bring much-needed protection and relief to the lumbar spine. Even when, there already is significant injury such as disc wear and facet joint inflammation, it can still be reduced dramatically, long term when you recondition and exercise these areas properly and effectively.
These groups each require specific exercises and stretches unique to what you need. Learn more about the exercises involved for relief. Follow this exercise to help you.
If you are ready for a comprehensive system that teaches you exactly what movements and corrections to use, scroll below.
You will be trained to perform many exercises, but the effort will be well worth it.
Achieving relief is not a quick fix, and this program does not rely on such methods.
IN USING THE PROGRAM, I NOTICE THAT BONES AND MUSCLES ARE LOOSENING UP AND IM LESS TENSE. I CAN DO THE EXERCISES ANYWHERE I WANT WITH THE TIPS GIVEN IN THE EBOOK.
I have been able to walk better and be able to bend over without much pain. This book is really recommended, and I thank this author for what he has done to help people, such as myself, achieve great back health.
Inflammatory Walking Difficulty Causes
Walking difficulty may occur due to the following inflammatory conditions.
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a general term for multiple conditions that cause painful inflammation and stiffness of the bones and joints. Arthritis can affect the bones and fluid-filled areas of the knees, ankles and even hips resulting in significant difficulties with walking.
- Autoimmune: Many inflammatory diseases that result in the body attacking itself can also affect the nerves and muscles and cause injuries that result in gait abnormalities. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis and lupus are examples of such autoimmune diseases that can attack multiple components of the systems necessary for walking.
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When To Contact A Medical Professional
- Back pain after a severe blow or fall
- Burning with urination or blood in your urine
- History of cancer
- Loss of control over urine or stool
- Pain traveling down your legs below the knee
- Pain that is worse when you lie down or pain that wakes you up at night
- Redness or swelling on the back or spine
- Severe pain that does not allow you to get comfortable
- Unexplained fever with back pain
- Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis
Also call if:
- You have been losing weight unintentionally
- You use steroids or intravenous drugs
- You have had back pain before, but this episode is different and feels worse
- This episode of back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks
Symptoms That Require Immediate Attention
Sometimes low back pain can signal a serious underlying medical condition. People who experience any of the following symptoms are advised to seek immediate care.
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Recent weight loss not due to lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise
- Fever and chills
See When Back Pain May Be a Medical Emergency
Additionally, people who experience pain symptoms after a major trauma are advised to see a doctor. If low back pain interferes with daily activities, mobility, sleep, or if there are other troubling symptoms, medical attention should be sought.
Chronic low back pain is usually correlated with other symptoms. Most people with ongoing low back pain and/or leg pain report difficulty with sleeping , depression and anxiety.
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Exercising At Work To Help With Standing
If you stand all day, doing stretching exercises throughout the day can interrupt the routine posture you hold. Doing a simple back stretch every hour is easy to do and can be especially helpful for people who are unable to sit at work. For example, the physiologist suggests doing the Standing Cat Camel:
- Stand with your feet under your shoulders
- Slightly bend the knees
- Put your hands on your legs just above the knees
- Round the back and curve the shoulders
- Arch the back and open the chest while rolling the shoulders back
- Alternate the rounding and arching of the back for 2 minutes every hour
Some other exercises you can do while at work include squats, shifting from one foot to another, rolling from tiptoes to heels and back, stretching towards the ceiling with arms reaching up and then stretch downward while keeping the legs straight, and side bends, to name a few.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Acute Low Back Pain
BRIAN A. CASAZZA, MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Am Fam Physician. 2012 Feb 15 85:343-350.
Patient information: Handouts on this topic are available at and .
Most persons will experience acute low back pain during their lifetime. The first episode usually occurs between 20 and 40 years of age. For many, acute low back pain is the first reason to seek medical care as an adult. Pain can be moderate to severe and debilitating, causing anxiety. Many cases are self-limited and resolve with little intervention. However, 31 percent of persons with low back pain will not fully recover within six months,1 although most will improve. Recurrent back pain occurs in 25 to 62 percent of patients within one to two years, with up to 33 percent having moderate pain and 15 percent having severe pain.24
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Red flags are common in patients with acute low back pain and do not necessarily indicate serious pathology therefore, physicians should rely on a comprehensive clinical approach to evaluating red flags in these patients.
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Differential Diagnosis of Acute Low Back Pain
Intrinsic spine
Information from references 5 and 6.
Differential Diagnosis of Acute Low Back Pain
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What Causes Lower Back Pain
There are many factors that lead to lower back pain. It is important to try and narrow down the cause for better treatment. For example, if you spend an extended period of time hunched over, this poor posture can directly affect the amount of pain you feel.
Some key factors that lead to your lower back experiencing pain when walking or standing could be:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Sciatica
Some of these factors can be grouped as lifestyle health conditions, while the others are directly related to mechanical issues of the body.
Some lifestyle health conditions can be described as the need to maintain a healthy weight, repeated wear and tear on the muscles of the lower back, and standing for long periods. Carrying extra weight can place additional pressure on your lumbar region, adding strain to the muscles for daily activity. Repetitive motions like improper lifting and twisting can damage the tissue and muscles that help movement. And excessive standing without rest, can add pressure on your spinal column.
Mechanical issues that contribute to pain in your lower back while walking or standing can be described when functionality is limited when different components of the spinal column begin to fail. If you have a disease that is impacting the health of your spine, you can experience pain when these regions of the body begin to disintegrate.
Other Conditions That Cause Back Pain In Older Adults
We often see a range of less serious but still painful spine conditions in seniors. Most patients with these conditions will not require surgery. Physical therapy, medication, injectable anesthetics, or a combination of treatments usually can control symptoms.
- Degenerative disc disease, which can cause whole spine pain, and lumbar arthritis, which usually causes low-back pain, commonly develop with age and are considered wear-and-tear conditions.
- Sacroiliitis is an inflammation of the joints that connect your spine and pelvis. This condition can cause pain in the low back, glutes, and upper legs.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that causes patients spines to become inflexible, resulting in a continual hunched forward position and spine pain.
- We also check for adult degenerative scoliosis and kyphosis, spine-curving conditions that can result in back pain and weakness in the lower extremities.
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Why Do I Get Lower Back Pain When Walking For Long Time
A slipped or pulled lumbar disc is one of the most prevalent causes of lower back pain. If youve ever been in a significant accident, you might have experienced this type of back pain. Another common cause is when someone overuses their legs and keeps their body upright while walking, which keeps pressure on the back and makes it difficult to breathe. Lower back pain can also be caused by arthritis or disc herniation in the low back.
Nearly half of all Americans will have lower backache at some point in their lives, according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine. Pain is often felt in the lumbosacral area, where the spinal column joins the pelvis, making even basic everyday tasks difficult. This might be one of the reasons chiropractic is so popular.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, over 80% of the US population may have back discomfort at some point in their lives.
Back spasms may usually be adequately managed without surgery. If the pain is caused by nerve issues in the spine, some intervention may be required.
In this blog post, well go over how to alleviate pain from lower back discomfort when walking, as well as going over the causes of this issue for those who may be looking for a more permanent fix.
What Are The Symptoms Of Back Pain
Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their lives. The causes of back pain are numerous some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms.
Symptoms of back pain can include:
- Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone
- Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity
- Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods
- Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes
- Inability to stand straight without having pain or muscle spasms in the lower back
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Examination: Causes Of Lower Back Pain When Walking
Your doctor will do a thorough examination of your body to determine the source of your lower back pain when walking. Some of the most common causes include:
Unfortunately, there are many other possible causes of lower back pain when walking. Your doctor will determine the cause by asking you questions about your personal health history and conducting physical tests. You should submit as much information about your medical history as possible to ensure that the right diagnosis is obtained.
What If I Cannot Get Rid Of The Pain In Lower Back When Walking Or Standing
If the low back pain remedies listed above do not help, it may be worth seeing a physician. A referral to physical therapy may help get you the best low back exercises and lower back stretches to decrease pain with standing. In more severe cases, Injections may help decrease inflammation in the joints and structures in the lumbar spine.
The Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute has a team of experts with world-class spine surgeons, physiatrists, and physical therapists to help! Jacksonville Orthopedic Inst. has a dedicated Spine Center that specializes in treating issues with the back.
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Tips On Preventing Severe Lower Back Pain When Standing Or Walking
Exercising and stretching
Exercises such as low-impact cardio can be very helpful in preventing lower back pain, and swimming and walking are excellent options. These exercises help increase endurance and strength in your lower back so that your muscles can function better. Ask a health expert for exercise recommendations, since back problems may prevent you from doing certain exercises.
Maintain a healthy weight
Excess weight strains the joints in your body and puts more pressure on your back muscles, even when doing simple tasks like turning around. This can lead to severe lower back pain when walking or standing, as well as pain in the knees and ankles, which can seriously affect your quality of life.
Mind your posture
Maintaining good posture goes a long way towards preventing pain in your lower back. Make sure you stand up straight, walk upright, and avoid dropping your shoulders when walking or standing.
Adjust your workstation
If you have adopted the habit of slouching at your desk, your chances of lower back pain will be a lot higher. Ensure you have an ergonomic assessment completed and if needed, get a height-adjustable workstation and a rubber mat to stand on.
Other Causes Of Mechanical Back Pain
There are many other causes of mechanical back pain, including poor sleep, too little physical activity and even depression or low mood can play a part.
One of the other common causes of back pain when walking is called spinal stenosis. This type of problem might also cause the pain in your back to spread down into your buttocks and sometimes even to your calves as you continue to walk.
This pain is often described to us as back ache, which then progresses to a dull throbbing ache as you continue walking, disappearing quickly when you sit down.
You might find that leaning forward as you walk, like when youre at the supermarket pushing your trolley, can ease the pain, which causes some people with this issue to constantly lean forwards when they walk.
Spinal stenosis is a condition that is caused by a deterioration of the joints in your spine, causing the small gaps that the nerves come out of within the spine to get even smaller. This may cause a compression on the nerves, which in turn causes you pain in your back and possibly your legs.
The reason this is worse when you walk is purely due to being upright the position that your spine is in when you are upright and walking seems to make this compressing effect worse, which is why the symptoms improve when you sit down.
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When Should I See A Doctor
When you experience lower back pain when standing or walking, the causes may be more difficult to pin point. If you know you stay hunched over at your desk for several hours, its easy to place blame on your poor posture. But if you cannot trace your pain to something simple like that, it may be because the cause is mechanical.
You may feel the pain symptoms of degenerative disease or spinal stenosis without knowing that is what is going on. A trained, medical professional will be able to evaluate your symptoms and your medical history to identify these as potential causes.
If you are experiencing pain for longer than three months you should reach out to a skilled medical professional who will be able to better determine the cause of your pain. When pain symptoms last longer than 12 weeks, you pain becomes classified as chronic, and may even escalate in nature.
A lower back pain specialist will review the duration of your lower back pain and diagnose the cause of your symptoms. They will verify your pain history, associated pain symptoms, and review your medical history to better ascertain which treatment method would be most beneficial. A skilled pain management provider will recommend certain tests like MRIs and CT scans to determine if the source of your pain is a mechanical failure of the spinal column or not.
You dont need to live with chronic lower back pain. Let us help you begin your journey to enhancing the quality of your life.
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