Common Causes For Your Low Back Pain

When you are suffering from low back pain, you may wonder if there will ever be any relief to your struggles and your discomfort. Many people in such a situation focus on a quick solution, not thinking about long-term solutions. Of course, in order to find a long-term solution to lower back pain, you need to first determine the cause of that pain. There are many health issues and injuries that can cause pain in your lower back. Get to know some of the most common causes of lower back pain so that you can begin to work toward treating and overcoming that pain and discomfort.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a common cause of lower back pain and discomfort. It stems from a disruption in the operations if the sciatic nerve which is located in your lower back area. Oftentimes, a person suffering from sciatica has a pinched sciatic nerve, meaning there is pressure on the nerve where there should not be. A herniated or slipped disc in the spine could be the culprit for this sciatic nerve pinch issue.

Sciatica is often treatable through physical therapy and exercises to help relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve and to keep the issue from recurring. If a person has a herniated or slipped disc, they may require surgery in rare cases to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve and get the lower back pain under control. However, spinal surgery is often a last resort because of the potential risks involved.

Osteoarthritis In The Spine

Another potential cause of pain in the lower back is a form of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that develops when the softer, more flexible tissue connected to the bones wears down. When this occurs in the spine, bone spurs can also develop. These bone spurs can cause pain, swelling and inflammation, and other problems in a person's lower back.

Treatment of osteoarthritis in the spine can include many different options from home care and rest to more invasive and extensive treatments. Home care can include hot and cold therapy and taking over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Topical pain creams can also help with low back pain.

Prescription pain medications and cortisone injections are also options for treating osteoarthritis in the spine. If the condition does not improve with such treatments, joint replacement or other surgery may be necessary.

Now that you know a few of the common causes for your low back pain, you can be sure that you get the care and treatment you need to get your lower back pain under control. For more information, talk to a centre like Southwest Florida Neurosurgical Associates.


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