Causes of Pain in the Lumbar Spine- What is it?

There are many structures in the lumbar spine that can cause pain. Irritation to any nerve roots that exit the spine, joint issues, spinal discs, the bones and the muscles are all culprits of pain.

Where is the Lumbar spine?

Common causes of lower back pain:

·Muscular Problems·
The most common cause of lower back pain is muscle strain or muscle problems in general. Strain due to heavy lifting, bending, or other arduous or repetitive use can be painful, but muscle strains typically heal within a few days or a couple weeks.

·Degenerated Discs·
Intervertebral discs are sponge like pads that act as absorbers when impacted or pressure is applied between each of the lumbar spine’s vertebrae. Disc degeneration can affect your disc space resulting in pain. This condition is referred to as degenerative disc disease.

·Lumbar Disc Herniation·
Herniated discs are most common in the lumbar vertebrae section of the spine. A herniated disc may happen without warning after an injury or heavy lifting. It can also happen slowly with overtime added wear and tear on the spine. Leg pain, also referred to as sciatica, is the most common symptom of a herniated disc.

·Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction·
The sacroiliac joint connects with the bottom of the lumbar spine and the top of the tailbone. It can cause lower back pain and even sciatica pain if there is any type of dysfunction in the joint. Dysfunctions allow for too much movement or restrict day-to-day movement.

Give HealthQuest Physical Therapy a call or schedule a free assessment now to see how we can help assess your aches and pains!