Do you also have back pain? Let's talk about the causes! (Lower Back Pain)

How many of us sigh every day, "Oh, my back ...!"? In fact, it's hard to find someone who hasn't had back pain at some point in their life. While it may seem like a normal thing at times, it can sometimes be so severe that it can stop all of our daily activities. So today, let's talk about what causes back pain, especially pain in the lower back.

First, let's look at how our spine is made.

Your lower back is the area from where your rib cage ends to where your legs begin. This area is where the entire weight of your upper body is carried. It's like a workhorse. So there are several areas where problems can arise in this area.

• Vertebrae: These are the bones of the spine. There are five of these bones in the lower part of the spine.
• Disks: These are the soft, sponge-like structures between two vertebrae . They absorb shock and protect the bones when we walk, run, and dance.
• Ligaments: These are the bands of tissue that connect the vertebrae together and help keep them from moving.
• Tendons: These are like ropes that connect muscles to the spine.
• Nerves: There are many nerves that run along the spine. Of these , the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in our body.

What are our daily habits that affect back pain?

Most of the time, back pain is caused by our own bad habits. Sometimes, even if we can't find a reason, back pain comes and goes. See if you have these habits too.

• Sitting with poor posture: Especially sitting hunched over in front of a computer in the office all day.
• Heavy lifting : When lifting objects, especially heavy objects like gas cylinders, bend your back instead of bending your knees.
• Excess body weight: As you gain weight, the load on your back muscles also increases.
• Lack of exercise: Lack of exercise weakens the abdominal and back muscles, reducing the support they provide to the spine.
• Smoking .
• Wearing high heels.
• Children's school bags are too heavy: If your child's bag weighs more than 20% of his body weight, it can cause back pain.

Can back pain be caused by injuries and accidents?

Yes, absolutely. Back problems can occur due to a fall, a car accident, or another injury while playing sports.

• Sprains and strains : Lifting a heavy object incorrectly or twisting suddenly can cause a muscle or tendon to become strained. This is the most common cause of back pain.
• Vertebral fractures: A severe fall or accident can break the bones of the spine. People with bone-thinning conditions, such as osteoporosis, are especially at risk for fractures from even a minor fall.

Problems related to the spinal disc

Back pain can also be caused by the disc problems we discussed earlier.

• Herniated or ruptured disk: With age or due to injury, the hard outer layer of the disk can tear, allowing the jelly-like material inside to protrude. If this presses on a nearby nerve, it can cause severe pain.
• Bulging disc: Here, the outer layer of the disc does not rupture, but it can bulge outward and press on a nerve.
• Degenerative disk disease: With age, the discs wear down and the vertebrae begin to rub against each other, causing pain.
• Cauda equina syndrome: This is a very rare but very serious medical emergency . In this case, a herniated disc presses on the nerve roots at the bottom of the spine. This causes back pain, weakness in the legs, and loss of bowel and bladder control.

Structural problems of the spine

Sometimes pain can also be caused by changes in the shape or structure of the spine.

• Radiculopathy: A condition caused by compression or inflammation of a nerve in the spinal cord. This can cause back pain to radiate down the legs. There may also be numbness or a tingling sensation in the legs.
• Sciatica: This is a type of radiculopathy. The sciatic nerve, mentioned earlier, is compressed. This can cause burning or shooting pain that feels like an electric shock from the buttock down the back of the leg.
• Spondylolisthesis: This is when one vertebra slips out of place and pinches a nerve.
• Spinal stenosis: Over time, the space inside the spinal cord can narrow, causing nerves to become compressed.
• Scoliosis: A sideways curvature of the spine. This can begin in childhood.

Arthritis conditions

Back pain can also be caused by inflammatory joint diseases or arthritis.

• Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis. In this condition, the cartilage and bone in the joints wear away.
• Ankylosing spondylitis: This is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints and ligaments of the spine.

Reasons specific to women

Lower back pain can also occur for some reasons that are unique to women.

• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes, increased weight, and a change in the body's center of gravity can put extra strain on the back, especially during the latter stages of pregnancy.
• Menstrual cramps: Some women experience back pain during menstruation.
• Endometriosis: A painful condition caused by the growth of uterine tissue in other places outside the uterus.
• Fibroids: Non-cancerous tumors in the uterus can also cause back pain.
• Ovarian cysts.

When should you see a doctor for back pain?

Most back pain will go away in a few days or weeks. But if you have certain symptoms, you should see a doctor right away . These are called "red flags."

How does the doctor find the cause?

When you see a doctor, he or she will examine you and ask you questions about how the pain started, how it feels, and how it affects your daily activities. Then, they will test you by asking you to sit, stand, walk, and lift your legs.

Usually, unless the "red flag" symptoms mentioned above are present, the doctor will not refer you for any major tests. They will provide advice on pain management and, if necessary, medication.

But if the pain persists or there are warning signs, some tests may be ordered to pinpoint the cause.

• X-ray
• MRI or CT scan tests
• Nerve studies (EMG)
• Blood and urine tests

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