Lower Back Pain: Knowing The Causes And Preventive Measures Is Important

By Juanita Swindell

Knowing what causes lower back pain and what you can do to prevent it is the best way to deal with this common health complaint. This article addresses both of these aspects.
Why do People Suffer from Lower Back Pain?
One of the most common causes of this health problem is injury or wear and tear of the discs in your spine. When this happens, the weight of the upper part of your back becomes too much for your lower back to handle and it can cause you chronic pain or sudden, acute pain.
Common reasons include:
• Ruptured or bulging discs which put more pressure on the nerves
• Arthritis which leads to problems in the joints that is located in the hands, hips, lower back and knees
• Sciatica that is caused by a herniated disc which presses on the nerve
• Osteoporosis which makes the bones brittle and can lead to fractures
• Strain to the muscles or ligaments due to lifting of heavy objects
• Muscle spasms
• Infections to the spinal region, cancer and other conditions such as shingles

There are also a number of risks that could lead to a problem with your spine. These factors include but are not limited to extra stress, anxiety, depression, smoking, obesity, age, a sedentary lifestyle and strenuous physical work.
Lower Back Pain and your Genes
The difference between you suffering from this condition and your friend not suffering from it could often lie in your genes. For example, if you take an MRI of twins who have completely different lifestyles, where one does a lot more physical work than the other, you will still often see that their bodies are almost identical. This means that if you suffer from chronic pain in your lower back region, there is a strong possibility that you have inherited the tendency to suffer from this problem.
Effective Preventive Measures
The main way to prevent pain in your lower back is to exercise. If you exercise regularly, your body weight will decrease and you will also build up your strength. Low impact exercises are often suggested for people who suffer from back problems so as to cause the least amount of strain to their back. Exercises that aim to improve flexibility and strengthen your core are usually suggested but it is better to ask your doctor before starting an exercise plan.

Another thing you should do is check your posture. Always ensure that your pelvis is in a neutral position when you are standing. Stand straight with your legs straight and your weight distributed evenly so that you are properly balanced. You should also start sitting straight and make a conscious effort to maintain a good posture.
Other things you should do to prevent pain include maintaining a good body weight and quitting smoking.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Lower-Back-Pain:-Knowing-The-Causes-And-Preventive-Measures-Is-Important&id=9126804