You'll usually first feel back pain just after you lift a heavy object, move suddenly, sit in one position for a long time, or have an injury or accident. But prior to that moment in time, the structures in your back may be losing strength or integrity.
The specific structure in your back responsible for your pain is hardly ever identified. Whether identified or not, there are several possible sources of low back pain:
- Aortic aneurysm
- Degeneration of the disks
- Kidney problems, such as infections or stones
- Muscle spasm (very tense muscles that remain contracted)
- Other medical conditions like fibromyalgia
- Poor alignment of the vertebrae
- Ruptured or herniated disk
- Small fractures to the spine from osteoporosis
- Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spine curvatures (like scoliosis or kyphosis) which may be inherited and seen in children or teens
- Strain or tears to the muscles or ligaments supporting the back
Low back pain from any cause usually involves spasms of the large, supportive muscles alongside the spine. The muscle spasm and stiffness accompanying back pain can feel particularly uncomfortable.
You are at particular risk for low back pain if you:
- Are over age 30
- Are pregnant
- Feel stressed or depressed
- Have a low pain threshold
- Have arthritis or osteoporosis
- Have bad posture
- Smoke, don't exercise, or are overweight
- Work in construction or another job requiring heavy lifting, lots of bending and twisting, or whole body vibration (like truck driving or using a sandblaster)
Back pain from organs in the pelvis or elsewhere include:
