Lower back pain is very common and can affect people of all ages. It can cause discomfort when sitting, standing, walking or sleeping. Occasionally it will be caused by lifting something heavy or sitting too long at a desk but sometimes it will come on gradually with no obvious cause.
Understanding what might be causing your lower back pain can help you know when to seek professional advice and what treatment may be appropriate.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
Muscle Strain
Muscle strain can happen following lifting, twisting, bending or doing a physical activity that you are not used to. You may feel pain, soreness and limited movement. This will depend on how severe your muscle strain is.
Prolonged Sitting
Long periods of sitting can cause stiffness. If you are not moving much whilst in this position then it can cause discomfort. Regularly changing your posture and keeping active may help.
Disc-Related Problems
The discs lie between the bones (vertebrae) of your spine. Problems with some discs may cause pain or nerve irritation. However, not all changes will cause any symptoms and having back pain does not necessarily mean you have a slipped disc.
Sciatica
Sciatica refers to symptoms that may happen when nerves (nerve roots) or the sciatic nerve are irritated. You may have pain travelling down your leg from your lower back or hip. Sometimes there can be tingling, numbness or weakness.
Are you currently suffering from these symptoms then learn more about sciatica pain treatment.
How Can Physiotherapy Help With Lower Back Pain?
Physiotherapy can help you manage a variety of different musculoskeletal pain problems in the lower back. Physio will depend on your symptoms, history and physical examination.
You may be advised by a physiotherapist to perform suitable exercises and start increasing your movement, improving your mobility and receive advice on how to manage your day to day activities. This aims to improve your function.
Get to know more about treatment approaches by looking for available back pain physiotherapy.
If you want to look for local physiotherapy services, you can visit our physiotherapist in Paschim Vihar, Delhi page.
Simple Tips to Manage Everyday Back Discomfort
You can try the below mentioned measures to manage your everyday discomfort:
- You should change your sitting position
- Have regular short breaks from long periods of sitting at a desk
- Don’t suddenly do a lot of heavy physical exercise
- Try slowly returning to doing normal activities as your symptoms improve
- Do the exercises recommended for your problem
- If you’re still experiencing pain consult a professional
Refrain from doing any exercises that cause severe or unusual pain. What works for one person may not work for another.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
In most cases, back pain is not an emergency but can be serious if you experience any of the following:
If you are experiencing new issues with your urinary bladder or bowel function, numbness around your groin or saddle area, worsening weakness in your legs or very severe pain after major trauma then seek urgent medical assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can physiotherapy help with lower back pain?
Physiotherapists may be able to help many types of musculoskeletal back pain using specific exercises, advice on movement and rehabilitation. The treatment will depend on the cause.
Does sitting for long hours cause back pain?
If you sit for long periods of time this can cause some discomfort. Taking regular breaks to move around and having an appropriate exercise regime can be helpful. Back pain can have many causes.
When should I consult a physiotherapist?
If your pain continues, affects your everyday activities or recurs then it is advisable to seek some assessment. If you begin to have any of the red flags listed above then seek urgent medical attention.
Conclusion
There are various reasons why lower back pain can occur. It is important to identify the cause of the pain and if the pain does continue to occur, performing the correct exercise, under professional guidance and using a tailored treatment plan may help to improve function in your everyday life.
For more information about local physiotherapy services, visit Ideal Spine Posture in Paschim Vihar, Delhi or explore our physiotherapy blog.