Two Common Causes of Lower Back Pain You Don’t Think About

Having back pain can make it difficult to do all the things you normally do in a day. It can be obvious what caused your lower back pain if you have done some heavy lifting or slipped and fell on the sidewalk, but some days you may find that your lower back hurts and you’re not sure why. There are many different reasons why your lower back could be hurting, but there are two fairly common cases that you don’t often consider.

 

Lower Back Pain is Often Caused by Postural Imbalance

Having an imbalance in your posture or muscles can have unwanted effects throughout your body. Carrying things with only your right arm is an example of how you can throw off balance in your body, as your body must work to accommodate the extra weight on the right side. Imbalance can also be caused by the tendency to stand on only your dominant leg when you lean against an object, or if you adjust the way you walk due to a foot or leg injury such as a sprained ankle. This puts strain on your hips as the majority of your weight is only supported by one leg, often leading to lower back pain.

 

Scars from Surgeries Such as a C-Section Can Cause Tension in Your Lower Back

Scars can be the cause of tension throughout the body that we often won’t expect. Scar tissue creates tension through the surrounding tissues, which can limit your mobility throughout the area. The tension caused by the scar tissue can also often cause pain in surrounding areas. An example of a scar that would cause lower back pain is the scar left from a C-Section. The scar from a C-Section creates tension in the pelvic area that disturbs the mobility of your lower back, which consequently causes you pain.

 

How to Avoid Getting Lower Back Pain 

You can avoid lower back pain by keeping your muscles in balance, and by stretching out your muscles. Try to keep your weight equally distributed through both legs, instead of leaning onto just one. Stretching your back and legs daily will prevent tension from building up, and let you continue to move freely.

 

If you already feel back pain, it is important to make yourself aware of the cause of your pain whenever possible. If you know what imbalance is causing your pain you can correct the habit, stopping the pain from coming back. If your back pain is intense you should consult a qualified professional. They will be able to help identify the problem and guide you through the recovery process.

Author

Alexandre Freire: Osteopathic Manual Therapist, AAOMT

View Alex’s Bio

Stretching to reduce painOsteopathic manual therapist assessing a patient