Lower back pain can be one of the most irritating and debilitating pains you can experience in any part of the body. Sitting, standing, and walking can all become difficult due to lower back pain. It can also make doing the most mundane activities such as working out or playing sports a painful odyssey.
It’s common to associate back pain with chores around the house, yard work, or previous jobs. But this isn’t always the case. The prevalence of lower back pain appears to worsen, and many people use work as an excuse for back pain. Then what causes back pain?
Causes of Lower Left Back Pain
The causes of lower left back pain are numerous. One such reason could be that you are getting older, or you may start feeling the effects of osteoporosis; other causes of lower back pain include:
1. Herniated disc
A herniated disc is a common back injury that occurs when the soft center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in the disc’s outer wall. This condition can harm your everyday functioning. Fortunately, several treatments are available, including physical therapy and medication.
2. Degenerative disc disease (DDD)
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) causes abnormal changes in the spine that make movement painful and accelerate degeneration. This condition worsens with the deterioration of physiological functions (aging).
Symptoms of Degenerative disc disease include
- Pains that get worse when sitting, lifting, bending, or twisting
- Feeling better when you lie down or change your position
3. Kidney problems
Kidney stones or kidney infections are the most common cause of lower left back pain. The primary reason for the pain can be attributed to the inflammation of the kidney, which can displace other organs and tissues, consequently placing undue pressure on the muscles.
Symptoms of kidney problems include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Dry and itchy skin
- Foamy and bloody urine
- Loss of concentration
4. Muscular Strain
A muscle strain is an injury to the muscle or a tendon that causes pain, tenderness, and mild swelling. When you sustain injuries to the muscles, the muscles in the back compensate by providing support. This can result in muscle knots and spasms.
5. Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related low back pain is common, especially during the third trimester, because the growing fetus is shoving around all the organs in your body. It is also essential to remember that a baby of considerable weight is growing, causing the body to pull forward, which strains the back.
You can maintain a good posture by resting, exercising lightly, or working with your OB-GYN to manage your discomfort.
6. Medication
When it comes to back pain, millions of patients pick over-the-counter pain relievers as a fast relief without treating the underlying cause of the pain. You can consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. The best treatment options for a minor condition include rest, physical therapy, and pain relievers.
If you are unsure of the causes of your lower back pain, seek immediate medical care as you could be at risk of a severe complication.
When You Should Go to the ER?
While lower back pain can be worrisome, get to an ER immediately in the following situations:
- If it is associated with serious trauma (like an accident)
- If you are experiencing neurological dysfunction like leg weakness or numbness
- Lose sensation around the groin area
- If you have a fever
- Have severe pain even if you lay down
How to Treat Lower Back Pain
Having lower back pain is not an uncommon occurrence. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Most people will experience low back pain at some time in their lives.”
Thankfully, there are home remedies that can help alleviate lower back pain. These home remedies include:
- Taking enough rest
- Minimize or avoid activities that can trigger or aggravate pain
- You may apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and heat to increase blood flow
Doctors can sometimes prescribe nutritional supplements for people with lower back pain.
You may want to consider the effectiveness of glucosamine, chondroitin, and lysine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery to treat lower back problems.
Conclusion
Without taking measures to eliminate the pain, you may continue to suffer from lower left back pain for years. Ignoring this condition may lead to a more severe illness in the future.
Make an appointment with your doctor to ensure you can enjoy the life you deserve without frustration or immobility.
