Lower Back Pain Causes and Treatments

Lower back pain can be extremely debilitating and prevent you from doing the things you love, as well as potentially impact your work. Whether you’re over the age of 60 or young and athletic, lower back pain is a possibility and could result from even the smallest of injuries, bad habits, or a range of other medical reasons. 

Below are a series of frequently asked questions relating to lower back pain to hopefully help you understand what causes this issue and how it can be treated effectively. 

What Are the Main Causes of Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain causes can vary and may stem from a range of things, even something rather innocuous. 

Here’s a comprehensive list of the possible causes of lower back pain. 

  • Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) – This is a condition that occurs when the intervertebral discs lose water over the years, reducing overall hydration and lessening strength. This prevents the discs from absorbing pressure, potentially resulting in the disc moving and disrupting the wall of tissue, which could then cause a hernia. This can be very painful and could even contribute to stenosis (read below) if left untreated.
  • Spinal Stenosis – This is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal, specifically at the nerve roots, resulting in pain. This narrowing can occur on multiple levels of the spine and can be either foraminal or central, or even both. 
  • Lumbar Herniated Disc – The lumbar disc contains a soft center that can sometimes protrude out of the outer layer, coming into contact with the nerve (a hernia). This could cause compression, often resulting in significant pain and inflammation.
  • Spondylolisthesis – This is the result of a vertebra moving, or slipping over the one next to it. There are five different forms of this condition, relating to differing forms of damage to the facet joints.
  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction – Connecting the bottom of the spine, each side of the pelvis, and the sacrum (the shield bone around the pelvis), the sacroiliac joint is primarily used to absorb impact and avoid any tension between the upper and lower halves of the body. When this joint becomes inflamed or stiff, it can become very painful. 
  • Facet Joint Dysfunction – Located behind each spinal disc are two facet joints with cartilage in between and capsular ligament around the bone, intertwined with many nerves. When aggravated, these joints can cause great discomfort. 
  • Osteoarthritis – Generally a result of aging, this condition involves the wearing of the discs and joints, causing inflammation, pain, a lack of stability. It may affect just one or multiple levels of the spine, can lead to stenosis, and will gradually worsen over time if not treated. 
  • Traumas – Physical traumas such as a fracture, or a dislocation can result in lower back pain. 
  • Compression Fractures – These fractures are not caused by trauma. Instead, they’re caused by progressive weakening of the bones caused by various conditions. Compression fractures are specific to the cylindrical vertebra.
  • Curvatures – A curvature of the spine can relate to scoliosis (the spine curves sideways, common in teenagers), or kyphosis (a rounding at the top of the back). Over time, this can result in pain in the lower and upper back.  
  • Tumors – Tumors that spread to the spine can also cause lower back pain—any cancer patients who notice discomfort in their lower back should consult their doctor immediately. Cancers that could spread to the spine include: Prostate, kidney, breast, lung, or thyroid. 
  • Autoimmune Disease – Various autoimmune conditions can cause lower back pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and lupus.
  • Spinal Infections – Infections of the spine are quite rare but can be agonizing and even life-threatening if not treated. Often, this sort of infection is a result of surgery or injections.

What Could Lower Right Back Pain Mean?

Pain in the lower right back could mean issues with the actual mechanics of your back and abdomen, namely the spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, it could also be related to your organs and be linked to a number of conditions, including kidney stones. 

If you notice lower right back pain, you should pay a visit to your local doctor’s office. 

Diagnostic Procedures for Lower Back Pain

Doctors may use various diagnostic procedures before creating a lumbar pain treatment plan, including physical exams, blood testing, and imaging.

  • Physical exams for lower back pain involve reviewing your symptoms and medical history before manually checking your spine for abnormalities. During the exam, your doctor may also have you perform different motions or hold certain positions to establish the root of your pain. 
  • Blood testing can reveal markers of inflammation and infection to help diagnose your condition. In the rare case of a spinal tumor, blood testing can help your doctor identify cancer markers and determine the best next steps. 
  • Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans allow your doctor to visualize the inside of the body and pinpoint damage or abnormalities. X-rays and CT scans are used to detect bone irregularities, like fractures, while MRIs are used for soft tissue problems, like disc herniation and nerve impingement. 

Conservative Treatment Options

Conservative treatment options for lower back pain include physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. 

  • Physical therapy is a go-to conservative treatment for most types of lower back pain because it’s not invasive, drug-free, and produces sustainable results. Physical therapists are trained specialists who provide targeted exercises, stretches, hands-on techniques, and lifestyle recommendations to help you recover from back pain. These techniques take impact off the spine and resolve imbalances by strengthening the muscles that support the spine and improving mobility. 
  • Medications can help with lower back pain management. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a common choice because they address both pain and inflammation. Examples include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. 
  • Lifestyle adjustments are usually recommended alongside physical therapy and medications to promote lasting lower back pain relief. By amending lifestyle factors that could exacerbate your pain and compromise your spinal health (like smoking, inactivity, poor posture, and poor nutrition), you help your body heal more effectively. 

Alternative Therapies for Lower Back Pain

Alternative therapies for lower back pain management include chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, and herbal supplements. 

  • Chiropractic care is an alternative therapy that involves treating musculoskeletal pain and general health concerns through manual adjustments and other hands-on therapies. Chiropractors focus on bringing the spine into proper alignment to restore circulation and bodily balance.
  • Acupuncture involves inserting ultra-fine needles into particular points of the body to release tension and promote healing. Research shows that while it may provide short-term chronic back pain relief, acupuncture doesn’t treat the pain’s underlying cause. 
  • Massage involves manually manipulating soft tissue to reduce muscle tension, boost blood flow, and promote relaxation. Many people find massage therapy to be a helpful, calming adjunct to their back pain treatment plan. 
  • Certain herbal supplements, like ginger, turmeric, and lavender, are thought to provide natural pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory benefits. Keep in mind, these benefits need to be proven by further scientific research, and consult your doctor before starting any new supplement. 

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How Can I Find Lower Back Pain Relief?

Staying active can be an effective way of relieving pain in your lower back as it encourages blood flow and can speed up the recovery process. If moving regularly causes discomfort, then painkillers can also be taken after exercising.

Stretching is also another good way of reducing pain levels in the back and many of these can be done at home by following a book, TV, or YouTube. 

Also, consider using hot and cold packs during periods of pain, a hot bath can also offer similar relief. 

Self-Care Strategies

Try these self-care strategies to avoid discomfort, support your body’s healing process, and improve your quality of life while you recover from lower back pain:

  • Take breaks from long periods of sitting. 
  • Set posture reminders and invest in an ergonomic desk chair with lumbar support. 
  • Find a low-impact workout routine that you enjoy.
  • If you smoke, start a nicotine cessation program for support during the quitting process. 
  • Find a stress management strategy that works for you, from exercise to journaling to meditation. 
  • Prioritize high-quality sleep by optimizing your sleep environment and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule. 
  • Reduce your consumption of alcohol, processed foods, added sugars, and fatty foods. 

Lower Back Pain Treatment – What to Avoid

When treating lower back pain, the following may not be recommended, depending on your symptoms and unique circumstances:

  • Traction exercises, including the use of weights
  • Wearing tight garments such as belts and corsets
  • Foot orthotics
  • Interferential (electrical current) therapy
  • Therapeutic Ultrasound Treatment
  • Electrical Nerve Stimulation
  • Painkilling injections

What Should I Avoid if I Have Pain in the Lower Back?

If you have pain in your lower back, you should pay particular attention to your posture and general movement. Try not to slouch or hunch over, avoid bending over repetitively, and engage in gentle movement as much as possible (including leisurely walks and low-impact exercises).

What if My Lower Back Pain Treatment Doesn’t Work?

If you find that none of the recommended treatments, exercises, or physical therapy are working, arrange a consultation with your doctor and discuss the possibility of surgery. This could be spinal fusion surgery or the implementation of a mechanical implant device, such as the TOPS System. 

The TOPS System earned a superior-to-fusion claim from the FDA for its ability to preserve motion and maintain stability without eliminating motion at the affected spinal segment. If your treatment plan for lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis doesn’t work, it’s an innovative fusion alternative to consider. 

When to Consider Surgery

It may be time to consider surgical options for lower back pain if:

  • Conservative treatment hasn’t improved your symptoms after six to 12 months.
  • Your pain is a major detriment to your mobility and/or quality of life.
  • You have red flag symptoms (like bowel or bladder incontinence or progressive weakness or numbness in the lower extremities).
    • If you experience these or other concerning symptoms with lower back pain, seek immediate medical care, as they may lead to permanent disability if left untreated. 

Recovery Timeline

The recovery timeline for lower back pain varies depending on the underlying cause and the severity of your condition. General recovery estimates for common back pain conditions (with proper treatment) include:

  • Back strains and sprains: Within a month
  • Herniated disc: Within three to six months, followed by long-term pain management
  • Osteoarthritis: Up to a year, followed by long-term pain management
  • Spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis: Around two to six months after spinal stenosis surgery (or up to a year for spinal fusion), followed by long-term pain management

The road to lower back pain relief begins with a visit to a trusted physician. Don’t hesitate to seek medical care for your discomfort – it’ll start your recovery journey while preventing further damage.