The Causes, Symptoms and Treatments Available for Lower Back Pain

The lumbar area of the spine is a complex structure of bones, joints, and ligaments that work together to provide support and flexibility for the whole body. Nevertheless, it is susceptible to various injuries that can cause acute and chronic pain.

Lower back pain is an exceedingly common symptom, especially when we lead more sedentary lifestyles. Poor sitting and standing posture can strain our backs and cause soreness and stiffness.

According to statistics, lower back pain is one of the most common reasons to seek medical care. Luckily, there are many drug-free strategies you can use to prevent and treat lower back pain effectively.

If you’re looking for lower back pain relief, then keep reading as we delve into its causes, symptoms, and treatment plans.

Lower back pain can come unexpectedly. Sometimes the causes can be more subtle and require an imaging study, such as an MRI for identification. Nevertheless, some of the most common lower back pain causes include:

The spine has various muscles, bones and ligaments that can get injured from sudden awkward movements or become damaged over time.

Sometimes the disk between the vertebrae in the spine can bulge or even rupture and compress a nerve. Diagnosed early, these can usually resolve with physiotherapy and chiropractic care. However, in more severe cases, they might require surgery.

These conditions are common in older adults and are often linked with other types of pain, such as knee and shoulder pain.

Additionally, certain risk factors, such as poor physical shape, obesity, improper lifting techniques and health conditions, can make you more prone to lower back pain.

Lower back pain can be acute after an unexpected injury or chronic due to prolonged damage. Depending on the causes, the pain can manifest in several different ways.

You can feel dull aches in the back area, often accompanied by stiffness. In other cases, the pain can travel towards the buttocks and legs. This usually happens when there is damage or irritation of the sciatic nerve.

Another common type of lower back pain is the one that becomes worse after prolonged sitting. Usually, this is due to compression of the spinal discs. In arthritis, people often experience pain and stiffness after waking up, which generally improves throughout the day.

Lower back pain causes can be many, and treatments will vary accordingly. However, there are a few methods that work for most people. Some of the best treatments for lower back pain include physiotherapy, chiropractic care and massage therapy. These are drug-free, non-invasive strategies that can relieve muscle strains and release pinched nerves to bring you lower back pain relief.

Alternatively, doctors can also prescribe over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and topical pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. In severe cases, patients could require surgery, but that’s usually when all conventional treatment approaches fail to bring relief.



Lower back pain is an irritating condition that can prevent one from leading an active lifestyle. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent and combat it.

The Mimico Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Clinic has a multidisciplinary approach to providing lower back pain relief. Our highly professional team of physiotherapists, chiropractors and massage therapists will provide you with evidence-based treatment.

Put a stop to your pain today by calling us at 647-351-4000 or  scheduling an appointment on our website !