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Common Low Back Pain Causes

About This Blog:

  • Although aging is typically the most common cause of low back pain, there are other circumstances that could increase a patient’s risk.
  • Patients should be made aware of certain situations, activities and health factors that may cause low back pain.
  • Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine shares some of the most common causes of low back pain and how to treat this debilitating condition.

First and foremost, the lower back (lumbar region of the spine) is particularly susceptible to mechanical stress and strain. The way the spine curves combined with the weight of the upper body and abdomen puts a load of added pressure onto the lower back. Moreover, a person’s whole body weight relies completely on the support of the spine. To understand what may cause low back pain, its important patients understand what the spine is made of.

The spine is made of small bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another. Between the vertebrae sits a spongy piece of cartilage commonly referred to as a spinal disc. These discs act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to bend and move more smoothly. As alluded to previously, the most common cause of low back pain is aging.

As we age, these spinal discs begin to shrink and degenerate from natural wear and tear. Overtime, the discs may also tear and cause their jelly-like center to bulge out of their tough exterior. This phenomenon is often called a herniated, ruptured, or bulging disc. These can be immensely painful and cause other symptoms like numbness, weakness, or tingling in the low back, buttocks, and legs.

Other causes of low back pain are circumstantial. A traumatic injury to the low back, a congenital abnormality of the spine, being overweight, smoking, overuse and diabetes can all lead to low back pain.

The most important thing a patient can do is seek medical treatment for mild, moderate or severe low back pain. Because there are so many different causes and potential conditions that could have contributed to the pain, its vital patients get their symptoms checked out, even if they’re minor. Even minor cases of back pain could signal an impending condition or injury. Call Dr. Mark Giovanini today to discuss treatment for your low back pain.

For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.

We hope to see you soon!

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.