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Low
back pain is often triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, or
injury to the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Less commonly, low
back pain is caused by illness or spinal deformity.
A risk factor is something
that increases your chances of having back pain. More risk factors means you
have a higher chance of having back pain.
Risk factors that you
cannot change
include:
-
Being middle-aged (risk
drops after age 65).
-
Being male.
-
Having a family history of
back pain.
-
Having had a previous back
injury.
-
Being pregnant. A woman's
back is significantly stressed by carrying a baby.
-
Having had compression
fractures of the spine.
-
Having had previous back
surgery.
-
Having spine problems since
birth (congenital spine problems).
Risk factors that you
can change with lifestyle changes or medical
treatment include:
-
Not getting regular
exercise.
-
Doing a job or other
activity that requires long periods of sitting, lifting heavy objects, bending
or twisting, repetitive motions, or constant vibration, such as using a
jackhammer or driving certain types of heavy equipment.
-
Smoking. Smokers are more
likely than nonsmokers to have low back pain.
-
Being overweight. Excess
body weight, especially around the waist, may put strain on your back, although
this has not been proven. But being overweight often also means being in poor
physical condition, with weaker muscles and less flexibility. These can lead to
low back pain.
-
Having poor posture.
Slumping or slouching alone may not cause low back pain, but after the back has
been strained or injured, bad posture can make pain worse.
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Being under stress. Stress
and other emotional factors are believed to play a major role in low back pain,
particularly chronic low back pain. Many people unconsciously tighten their back
muscles when they are under stress.
-
Having long periods of
depression.
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Using medicines long-term
that weaken bones, such as corticosteroids.
Reference from Healthwise
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