Low back pain is a musculoskeletal disease or disorder. Lower back pain is actually the most common back pain in people from all ages. Like any other pain, lower back pains can be short or long termed or in other words – acute or chronic. Fortunately, most of those low back pains last only for a few days or weeks. On the other hand there are some pains which do remain chronic.
This usually happens if the pains are not treated properly and on time, or if the cause is some more serious disease. The reason for most of the job-disabilities and missed worked hours in and outside the USA is exactly low back pain. It is a disorder that can affect everyone, man or woman, old or young and every human being has felt these low back pains at least once in their life.
The structure of the lower back is rather complicated and it consists of many connected and overlapping elements such as: tendons, muscles, soft tissues, sensitive nerves, complex small joints, spinal discs and their gelatin-like inner cores. An injury or an irritation to every each and one of these elements can be the cause of lower back pain.
We have already mentioned before that lower back pain can affect younger as much as older people. Although this is true, there are probably some differences in the cause of the pain between younger and older individuals.
Causes in Young People
Muscle or ligament strain. Yes, something as simple as this can be a cause for severe pain. This is usually an acute pain but it can become chronic if it is not treated right. Muscle or ligament strains usually happen after some sudden movement or sudden twisting or lifting something really heavy. If treated right, this pain usually goes away in a few days.
Sciatica. If you think that this could be the cause of your low back pain, you probably feel a pain that goes from your lower back, down in your leg and all down to your feet. Sciatica can be a consequence of a compressed nerve root in your spine.The cause of sciatica is usually a lumbar herniated disc.
Degenerative disc disease. This condition can affect even teenagers. The disease starts when the lumbar discs begin to break down. This disease can cause severe pain, but it definitely can be cured if treated properly. The most common symptoms that you might suffer from degenerative disc disease are usually pains that are worsened by some movements or positions.
Isthmic spondyloisthesis. If you suffer from it, your lower back pains will be really huge when you are standing or walking. It is thought that this disorder starts as early as childhood, but the pain and the symptoms can show later in life.
Causes in Older People
– Osteoarthritis. This is a disease that does not happen over-night and takes time to develop. And that’s why being careful with your back is always a good prevention.It is most common in people that are more than 60 years old. The symptom which shows that this is the cause of your lower back pains is the fact that the pains are probably more present in the mornings and evenings. People with osteoarthritis also suffer from back stiffness.
– Spinal stenosis. This disease will cause your leg hurt, especially when you are standing or walking and you will probably be unable to walk without feeling any pain.
– Fracture caused by compression. The symptoms of this are sudden bursts of pain, deformity and decreasing in height as well as limited movements and flexibility. In older people, especially people with osteoporosis, even a small forcing of the spine can cause a fracture.
Less Common Causes
Apart from all these causes above, there are a number of other not so common, but possible causes of lower back pain. Some of those include:
– Fibromyalgia
– Infection
– Spinal tumors
– Piriformis Syndrome
– Coccydynia
– Severe Depression
– Ankylosing spondylitis
If you are still not sure what the cause of your lower back pain is, try to visit not just one, but several other professionals. Very often, different doctors can diagnose your pain in a different way. That is why it is best if you hear more than one opinion. And another thing, make all the tests and analyses that your doctors say are necessary. Otherwise, you might misinterpret the pain and start a wrong treatment.