Lower Back Pain
Strain/Sprain
The muscles and ligaments in the back can stretch or tear due to injuries or overuse. Symptoms include severe stiffness, tightness, sharp/radiating pain, numbness/tingling down to legs, as well as muscle spasm.
Abnormal spine curvatures
Scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis are all conditions that cause abnormal curvatures in the spine.
These are congenital abnormal curvature causes pain and poor posture because it places pressure on:
- muscles
- tendons
- ligaments
- vertebrae
Disc injury
The discs in the back are prone to injury. This risk increases with age. The outside of the disc can tear or herniate.
A herniated disc, which is also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots. The cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae extends outside its normal position.
This can result in compression of the nerve root as it exits from the spinal cord and through the vertebral bones. Disc injury usually occurs suddenly after lifting something or twisting the back. Unlike a back strain, pain from a disc injury usually lasts for more than 72 hours.