All You Need to Know about Lower Back Ache

by Aini Clive Marketer

Lower back ache can differ from a dull pain that grows slowly to a sudden, acute or persistent pain that you may feel below the waist. All of us unfortunately experience at any point in our lives lower back pain that may travel downward into the buttocks and sometimes into one or both lower extremities. The most important reason for this pain is muscle strain often linked to heavy physical labor, twisting or bending into an awkward position, forceful movement or lifting, or standing for long in one position.

Other Reasons for Lower Back Pain

There are various reasons that contribute or cause lower back ache. Most of them involve nerve compressions such as pinched nerve that may produce pain and other symptoms. Kinds of spinal disorders include trauma-related and degenerative; means they are age related disorders. Few of these spinal problems are provided in the below list.

Herniated Disc: A herniated disc mostly occurs when the soft interior matter escapes through a crack or ruptures through the protective outer layer of the disc. It can cause inflammation, nerve compression and pain.
Spinal Stenosis: It occurs when the spinal canal or the nerve passageway abnormally narrows.
Spinal Arthritis: It is a common degenerative spine problem also known as spondylosis. It affects the facet joints of the spine and may contribute to the formation of bone spurs.
Spondylolisthesis: It occurs when a lumbar such as low back vertebral body slips forward over the vertebra underneath it.
Vertebral fractures: They are types of burst or compression and are mostly caused by some kind of trauma, e.g. a fall and may cause severe lower back ache.
Osteomyelitis: It is a bacterial infection that can occur in one of the spine’s bones.
Spinal Tumors: They are an abnormal growth of cells like a mass and are diagnosed as benign which are non-cancerous or malignant such as cancer.

Easing Lower Back Ache at Home

If you have injured your lower back in the recent past, then you can do the following things.

Ice then Heat: In the first 24 to 48 hours of injury, use ice wrapped in a towel or cloth as ice helps in lowering swelling, muscle spasms and pain. Then you can switch to heat. Heat helps to relax sore tissues. It is strictly recommended not to apply cold or heat source directly onto the skin instead wrap it in something and then apply it to the affected area.
Over-the-Counter Medications: Advil or Tylenol, if eaten as per package directions, may help reduce pain and inflammation.
Take it Easy: Although bed rest is not recommended anymore, you may require changing your daily routine to give your back the opportunity to recover.