Causes of lower back pain

You might think back pain is just a sign of getting older. And it’s true that your risk of back pain increases as you age. But low back pain may be a symptom of another problem.

At Aurora Health Care, our spine specialists provide a full range of care for lower back pain. We find and treat the cause of pain so you can get back to the activities you enjoy.

What causes low back pain?

Some common causes of lower back pain include muscle or ligament strains, bulging or ruptured disks, arthritis, osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis. Most often, lower back pain is caused by an injury or soft tissue strain – the stretching or tearing of a muscle, tendon or ligament.

What injuries cause back pain?

You may have experienced the feeling of “tweaking your back” when you lift something heavy or twist in an unnatural position. This sensation is due to an injury in your spine muscles, tissues or joints.

Back injuries can range from minor to severe and may include:

• Sprains, a stretch or tear in your ligaments, the tissue that connects bones to bones
• Strains, a stretch or tear in muscles or tendons, the tissues that connect muscle to bone
• Traumatic injuries, damage to the spine caused by a sudden acute event, such as a sports injury, fall or car accident
• Vertebral compression fractures, breaks or cracks in the spinal bones (vertebrae), which are often the result of osteoporosis or can occur after an accident

Back disc pain

Between each of your vertebrae, there is a spongy pad that acts as a shock absorber and cushioning for your spine. These spongy pads are called intervertebral discs or just “discs.” Disc problems commonly cause lower back pain.

Degenerative disc disease

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease isn’t a disease. Rather, the term refers to wear-and-tear on your spinal discs that can trigger back or neck pain.

As you age, your discs naturally dry out or wear away. If this process causes pain, your provider may call it degenerative disc disease.

Bulging and herniated discs

Discs have a tough outer shell and a soft, jelly-like center. A bulging disc happens when the disc begins to break down and the soft center pushes outward. You can’t see a bulging disc just by looking at your spine, but you may feel leg pain, tingling or weakness.

A herniated disc also called ruptured disc) occurs when the outer shell tears and the jelly-like center spills into the spinal canal. This substance can press on surrounding nerves and cause back pain.

What diseases cause lower back pain?

Some diseases may damage or disrupt the structures in your lower back and cause pain, including:

• Ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory type of arthritis that can cause your spinal bones to fuse
• Osteoarthritis, when the protective tissue between your bones (cartilage) wears away. In the lower back, this happens in the facet joints, which are located between your spine bones. The condition may also be called spondylosis, facet joint syndrome or spinal arthritis.
• Osteoporosis, a disease that leads to weak and brittle bones, often causing vertebral compression fractures
• Sciatica, pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your low back down through the backside of both legs
• Spinal stenosis, a narrowed spinal canal that puts pressure on your spinal nerves and spinal cord
• Spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one of your vertebrae shifts forward, possibly pressing on spinal nerves

How can I tell if my lower back pain is kidney-related?

Sometimes, lower back pain is a symptom of a kidney stone. A kidney stone is a small, hard mineral deposit that develops in your kidneys. Back pain could point to a kidney stone if you have sharp lower back pain on only one side.

What cancers cause lower back pain?

Lower back pain is rarely a sign of cancer, although it is possible. If cancer causes back pain, it usually causes other symptoms as well, such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue or changes in bowel habits.

A spinal tumor may cause lower back pain. Because tumors from other parts of your body may spread (metastasize) to your spine, it’s possible for nearly any type of metastatic cancer to cause back pain. Cancer types that are most likely to cause lower back pain include:

• Blood cancer
• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer

What causes low back pain in females?

Some conditions affecting females may cause lower back pain, including:

• Endometriosis: The uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, often causing pelvic pain or lower back pain.
• Pregnancy: Many pregnant people experience lower back pain due to hormonal changes, the additional weight of the baby or posture changes. Nearly always, this type of low back pain goes away after giving birth.
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): A combination of symptoms can affect females in the week or two leading up to their period. Hormonal fluctuations may cause emotional symptoms such as mood swings or physical symptoms, including bloating and low back pain.

Risk factors for low back pain

Some people are more likely to experience lower back pain or develop the conditions that could cause it. Some of the most common risk factors for lower back pain include:

• Age: Most low back pain occurs after age 30.
• Genetics: Some conditions that lead to lower back pain tend to run in families.
• Occupational hazards: People with labor-intensive jobs or jobs that require prolonged sitting may have a higher risk of back pain.
• Sedentary lifestyle: You’re more likely to develop back pain if you’re not physically active.
• Smoking: Tobacco narrows your blood vessels, and restricts blood flow and oxygen to the spine, which can cause discs to wear out faster.
• Underlying diseases: Chronic conditions, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, can make you more prone to back pain.