Lower back pain is a common experience that people have at least once during their lifetime. Most of the time, lower back pain is fairly mild, with a bump or accident being the cause. However, for some other people, lower back pain comes from a cause that they can’t control. Many spinal conditions that people are born with are causes of lower back pain. The quicker you can determine the cause of your lower back pain, the quicker you and your doctor can come up with a satisfactory treatment.

Factors For The Under Sixty Crowd

Age plays a huge part in the cause of lower back pain. Because older people tend to be more prone to degenerative conditions, such as arthritis, they are usually considered in a separate category.

For people under the age of sixty, there are three main causes of lower back pain, and each is characterized by a few common symptoms. Disc herniation is one common cause, and it frequently results in pain or numbness in the legs. It is also usually worse after a long time is spent sitting or standing.

Another common cause of lower back pain in this age bracket is characterized by pain experienced only when making certain moves or being in specific positions. This cause is degenerative disc disease, which can eventually become chronic and extremely painful. Lower back pain that is worse when walking or standing can be the results of a stress fracture and can be very painful as well.

Factors For The Old Folks

For the elderly, osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain in the lower back. This condition often also leads to stiffness, and it is typically worse in the evening and morning. Another common condition seen in older people is lumbar spinal stenosis. This condition puts pressure on the nerves of the spine, and can be the cause of leg pain.

More Obscure Occurrences

Certain conditions that cause lower back pain are less known than others. Though this makes it more difficult to diagnose a cause and determine a treatment, it is by no means impossible. Infection, spinal tumor, fibromygalia, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and piriformis syndrome are all causes of lower back pain that, while more uncommon, can still be easily treated.

A Cause For Celebration

Once you have determined what is causing your lower back pain, it is that much easier to find a treatment. And that is a cause for celebration.