If you're reading this with a familiar, dull ache in your lower back, then don't worry because you are part of a global majority. Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people often struggle in their day-to-day lives. But what we also see, every single day, is the relief and recovery that is possible when you understand the root cause and take targeted, proactive steps. At Vardaan Hospital we aim to achieve this.
At our Ranchi physiotherapy department, the key isn't just to mask the pain, but to listen to what it's telling you. Let's walk through the ten most common causes of lower back pain.
This is the classic "I overdid it" injury. Think of that heavy weekend gardening, a sudden awkward twist, or even poor posture while sitting at your desk for hours. It involves tearing the microscopic fibres of your muscles or ligaments. Therefore, leading to inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain.
Between each vertebra in your spine are soft, gel-filled discs that act as shock absorbers. Sometimes, this soft centre can push through a tear in the tougher exterior, pressing on nearby nerves. This often causes not just back pain, but shooting pain, numbness, or weakness down the leg.
This isn't a disease in the typical sense, but a natural part of aging for many. Over time, those shock-absorbing discs can wear down, lose hydration, and become thinner. This can lead to stiffness and pain, especially after long periods of sitting.
When the protective cartilage on the facet joints wears down, it results in osteoarthritis. This can cause stiffness, especially in the morning, and pain that worsens with activity.
This condition involves a narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. It often causes pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the legs, typically worsening when you walk or stand and easing when you sit or bend forward.
This is a silent epidemic. Slouching at a desk, craning your neck to look at a phone, or even standing with an exaggerated curve in your lower back places uneven stress on your spine, muscles, and ligaments all day long.
The sacroiliac joints connect the base of your spine to your pelvis. When these joints become either too stiff or too mobile, they can cause significant pain in the lower back and buttocks, often mistaken for a disc problem.
Sometimes, back pain is a symptom of a non-mechanical issue, such as kidney infections, endometriosis, or, in rare cases, more serious conditions. At Vardaan, our first step is always a thorough diagnostic process to rule out these causes.
It's not "all in your head", it's in your nervous system. Chronic stress and anxiety can lead to unconscious muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. This constant bracing can trigger and perpetuate pain cycles.
Excess body weight, especially around the midsection, places a constant, additional load on the structures of the lower back. A sedentary lifestyle, in turn, leads to weak core muscles that are ill-equipped to handle that load.
At Vardaan Hospital, we have a simple philosophy: your pain is unique, so your care should be unique too. There isn't a one-size-fits-all strategy for recovering from something as complex as back pain.
When you arrive at our hospital, we will not simply hand you a generic sheet of exercises. You will receive:
Living with back pain can often feel isolating, but it does not have to be your norm. If you feel ready to move beyond the ache and figure out what your back is trying to tell you, the team at Vardaan Hospitals is here to listen, assess and facilitate you to a better place.
Take the first step towards a healthier back. Contact the Department of Physiotherapy at Vardaan Hospitals to schedule a consultation today.
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