The lumbar spine’s role is significant in supporting your upper body’s weight. The bottom part of the back is responsible for controlling and enabling your movements, such as muscle coordination, twisting, and bending. Because the lower back experiences heavy use and stress, it is thus prone to wear and tear injuries and pain. If lower back pain Northern Virginia is proving to be a stumbling block to your quality of life, do not suffer in silence when you can seek accurate diagnosis and treatment. But before then, it is vital to know about lifestyle factors that can promote lower back pain
- Smoking
According to the CDC, nearly 14% of Americans are smokers and at high risk of developing smoking-related conditions, including lower back pain. One of the potential ways smoking increases the risk of lower back pain is by reducing the nutrient content (vitamins D and C) in the blood conveyed to the spinal intervertebral discs and joints.
Furthermore, smoking promotes body inflammation and deters the body’s self-healing mechanism.
- Physical activity level
A sedentary lifestyle involves sitting or lying down as you engage in activities such as video gaming, watching movies, or socializing almost daily. Like engaging in physical activities, a sedentary lifestyle can increase your chances of lower back pain.
- Obesity
About 33% of people with obesity are more likely to have lower back pain issues.
Every extra weight your body has creates strain and tension on the muscles and ligaments in your lumbar spine or lower back. Your spine accommodates the additional weight by titling unevenly.
4. Weather conditions can trigger lower back pain
Changing or cold weather may trigger the worsening of your lower back pain. Changes in your surrounding pressure cause the muscles and joints in your lumbar spine to become stiffer and susceptible to injury.
5. Lower back pain may be a sign of cancer
Although a rare occurrence, it is still possible a lower back pain indicates you have ovarian, colorectal, or spinal cancer. When you have any of the three types of cancer, you will have other signs and symptoms apart from lower back pain. Some symptoms include unexplained tiredness, unexpected weight loss, persisting back pain even after treatment, and changes in bowel movement.
You can feel lower back pain in other parts of the body
It is common for lower back pain to reach your legs and other parts of the body. The pain travels to your legs courtesy of bursa inflammation (bursitis), sacroiliac joints, and lumbar facet joints.
If the pain shoots from your lower back into your leg or legs, that may also be due to sciatic nerve pain.
You should visit your local physician whenever you experience lower back pain that does not disappear after a few days. A spine specialist offers a diagnosis and treatment approach that is comprehensive. Expect treatment for any causes of lower back pain and related symptoms. You may not even need surgery since only one out of 10 patients require it.
