Did you know that more than 65 million Americans suffer from some form of back pain? There are many causes of lower back pain, including damage to discs, nerves, and joints. It’s also common to injure muscles and ligaments.

All of these injuries can cause moderate to severe pain, making it difficult to do day-to-day tasks. If you’re wondering what your back could be, take a look at the most common causes of lower back pain.

1. Muscle and Ligament Damage

Muscle and ligament damage usually occurs when they are overstretched and tear as a result. This can happen suddenly or over time due to repetitive movements. Although muscles and ligaments are different, they display the same symptoms when damaged and can be treated the same way.

These injuries can occur after lifting heavy objects, sudden movements that place stress on the lower back, sports injuries involving twisting, and poor posture. Although these injuries can be painful, they’re not usually long-lasting.

2. Lumbar Herniated Disc

Each adult has 17 vertebrae in the back, and between each of these is a disc. Each disc has an outer rind and inner gel. This inner gel can slip beyond the outer rind and press on the nerves.

This is something that often happens gradually through wear and tear or because of age. It will often cause pain and you must see a medical professional.

3. Facet Joint Damage

The joints that connect the five vertebrae in your back are called facet joints. They are susceptible to excessive amounts of force and stress and if the cartilage in the facet joints breaks down, it can cause lower back pain.

Facet joint damage is often caused by osteoarthritis and if the joint impinges on a nerve, it can also lead to sciatica.

4. Compression Fracture

A compression fracture is linked to osteoporosis or trauma. It happens when a vertebra in the lumbar spine collapses on itself. This type of injury can cause severe pain, and most patients find it comes on suddenly.

For most people, it also means loss of spinal mobility, which can be frightening. It’s crucial to contact a health professional as quickly as possible for pain treatment. If the pain is unmanageable, contact emergency services.

5. Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is an injury that occurs when your lower back spinal canal narrows and places pressure on your nerves. This can be caused by bone spurs, ligament thickening, or lumbar disc degeneration. Spinal stenosis can be very painful and can also lead to sciatica.

6. Spondylolisthesis

When a lumbar vertebra slips forward, it can place excessive force on the disc between the vertebrae. If the disc flattens during this process, it can lead to nerve damage and sciatica. This is another significantly painful injury.

This usually occurs because of a fracture in a small piece of bone. In most cases, this tends to happen when a person is young but the results don’t show until later.

7. Scoliosis

The spine has a natural ‘S’ shape. Your upper back curves backward, while your lower back curves forward. However, in the case of scoliosis, your spine curves sideways when viewed from behind. This is a spinal deformity that inevitably leads to back pain.

The shape of the back can put added pressure on joints and discs, which makes injuries more likely. Scoliosis doesn’t often need treatment but it may require back pain management.

How Common is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for people wanting to visit their doctor. Around four in five people suffer from lower back pain during their lifetime. Although it is a common complaint, certain factors make you more likely to experience back pain.

For example, most people who suffer from back pain are over the age of 30. Similarly, back pain patients are more likely to be obese or have jobs that involve heavy lifting or bending.

If you have a family history of osteoarthritis or certain types of cancer, you can be more at risk of back injuries. Did you know that episodes of depression or anxiety can also lead to back pain? An overall healthy lifestyle can help you to prevent avoidable back injuries.

Tackle Your Pain

Living with back pain can be depressing and stressful. At Elite Pain and Spine Institute, we are committed to helping our patients manage chronic pain. Our group of skilled physicians is available in three convenient locations in Phoenix and Mesa.

As the number-one pain management center for any condition, we pride ourselves on delivering a first-class service. Whether it’s a sports injury, post-surgery pain, or constant health condition, we will go above and beyond to help. Why not take a look at some of the conditions we treat and the treatments we offer?

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. The common causes of lower back pain can happen to anyone, at any age. When you’re suffering from back pain, it’s important to do something about it, rather than just grin and bear it.

At Elite Pain and Spine Institute, we aim to relieve pain, restore function, and renew hope. If you’re suffering from back pain, let us take the burden off your shoulders and deliver a unique treatment program that will tackle the pain. Why not get in touch with us today to find out more?