Human beings are mobile creatures, and at the center of much of that motion is your lower back. It can even be the center point of when we’re staying still, as your lower back is in direct line with where your posture bends while seated. For these reasons, lower back injuries can cause some of the most debilitating pain you can encounter.

We specialize in diagnosing and treating lower back pain at Dynamic Health, as well as a number of other chronic and acute conditions. The first and most important step to relieving your lower back pain is figuring the cause. Let’s discuss five of the most likely causes of lower back pain and how to recognize them.

5 Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

While there is a variety of common factors that can lead to lower back pain, such as obesity, stress, or a poor sleeping position, we want to discuss several underlying causes that we are equipped to help you find relief for at Dynamic Health in Charlotte, NC.

• Joint Issues: It’s possible to injure or irritate a set of joints in your lower back called the Sacroiliac joints, usually by either moving these joints faster than normal or through inactivity. This is the joint that connects the bottom of your spine to your pelvis. If you’re experiencing Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, you may feel pain as a persistent ache that travels from your lower back to your hips or groin. Sitting for long periods of time is likely to worsen your pain.

• Disc Issues: Your spine is made up of bones called vertebra. Between each vertebrate is a disc that acts as a cushion so the bones don’t rub against each other. If something happens to one of your discs, it can bulge outward and press against a nerve, causing pain in the process. Disc issues can range from herniated or ruptured discs to degenerative disc disease. Pain caused by a damaged disc can present itself as a persistent low-level pain accompanied by occasional sharp spasms.

• Core Weakness: If we mention core muscles to you, your mind probably jumps straight to your abs, but your lower back muscles are also included in that group. If your core isn’t as strong as it needs to be, it can have an adverse effect on the shape of your spine. Core weakness can lead to any number of larger issues, so it’s important to include exercises that strengthen these muscles into your daily routine.

• Ligament or Muscular Problems: As with any other muscle, the muscles in your back can be strained or damaged if you perform an unnatural motion. This is where “lift with your legs, not with your back” comes into play. This kind of injury is not limited to athletes, so if you feel a sharp pain or spasm in the muscles of your lower back, this could be why.

• Kidney Problems: While it can be hard to tell the difference, sometimes what you think of as back pain could actually be kidney pain. Located near the bottom of your rib cage, your kidneys might cause you pain if you’re experiencing a kidney infection or kidney stones. This type of pain is typically deeper and higher than other kinds of back pain, and is often paired with other symptoms like fever and nausea.

Treat Your Lower Back Pain with Help from Dynamic Health

Our hope is that we’ve given you an idea of some of the top causes of lower back pain and how to identify them. There are, of course, other culprits such as osteoarthritis and certain congenital conditions, but the good news is we can help you find relief at Dynamic Health in Charlotte.

If you have chronic or severe back pain, our trained staff of medical professionals will be able to determine what is causing your pain and what the best treatment is for your condition. Our facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment, and our number one goal when you become our patient is to see you back on your feet and moving at full speed again.

Please get in touch with us if you feel you’re experiencing any of the causes or symptoms listed above. Call today or schedule an appointment online so we can put you on the dynamic path to recovery.