What is Causing your Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is a common but painful condition that affects the lower portion of the spine. Low back pain can result from injuries, conditions or diseases. Most common lower back pain is caused by an injury to a muscle, ligament, joint or disc. Lower back pain can range from mild to severe. 

Common causes of lower back pain:

• Improper lifting
• Lack of stretching or exercising
• Poor posture
• Ruptured disc
• Arthritis
• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures

Symptoms of lower back pain:

• Stiffness
• Muscle spasms
• Posture problems
• Sharp pain
• Dull & achy pain

Your doctor may diagnose lower back pain through a physical exam and imaging. Some imaging may include spine x-ray, MRI, CT scan, or electromyography (EMG). Lower back pain gets better with rest, pain relievers and physical therapy (PT). Physical therapy strengthens muscles and improves flexibility to help support the spine and prevent another injury. Physical therapy treatment plans may include electrical stimulation, manual therapy, low-impact aerobics, stretching exercises, strengthening, swelling management, balance and gait training, and heat and ice application. 

You can’t avoid lower back pain caused by a disease but you can avoid injuries that cause back pain. You should maintain a healthy weight and diet, stand and sit up straight, lift heavy items the right way, strengthen your abdominal muscles and do back strengthening and stretching exercises.

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Sources: Cleveland Clinic , SpineHealth

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.