What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can happen suddenly or evolve over time, brought on by everything from awkward movements to staying still for too long. Your back contains one of the largest muscle groups in your body, and lower back pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating. Explore the most common lower back causes and what you can do to alleviate pain with IMPACT Physical Therapy. 

Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain is one the most cited medical reasons for people missing work. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to aggravate this area. Activities that can cause lower back pain include: 

• Poor posture or resting on furniture that is not ergonomic
• Lifting a heavy object 
• Twisting in a sudden or unnatural motion
• Falling or landing awkwardly on your backside 
• Sports injuries 

These events can trigger the most common lower back pain causes, which are: 

• Ligament of muscle strain: Engaging in vigorous activity that overworks your back muscles can result in spasms and discomfort. 
• Bulging or ruptured disks: Your spine contains cushioning disks between your vertebrae, and when these move out of place, it can cause lower back pain. 
• Osteoporosis: Fractures in your vertebrae occur as bones become brittle and porous. 
• Arthritis: While arthritis is most commonly found in the limbs, it can also work down to your spine and lower back. 

Lower Left Back Pain or Lower Right Back Pain 

Sometimes, back pain concentrates on only one side of your body, resulting in either lower left back pain or lower right back pain. One-sided back pain can stem from any of the aforementioned causes, but it also results from issues happening within organs near your mid-back, pelvis, or abdominals. 

If you are experiencing lower left or right back pain, it could be coming from your: 

• Kidneys: Issues include kidney stones or a kidney infection 
• Pancreas and colon: Issues include ulcerative colitis, abdominal cramping, digestive issues, and more
• Uterus: Issues include endometriosis, fibroids, or abnormal menstruation 

In many cases, lower back pain that’s coming from other internal organs will see additional side effects. If you are only experiencing pain concentrated on one side of your back with no other symptoms, you may be able to rule these issues out.

Treat Lower Back Pain Causes with IMPACT Physical Therapy 

Nearly 80% of Americans will experience lower back pain at some point, but if your pain persists for more than several weeks without improvement, you should seek professional attention. At IMPACT Physical Therapy, we can assess your symptoms and develop a custom care plan to help you find relief. Request an appointment to get started. 

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