Back pain often occurs in the lower section of the spine. They are often the result of poor posture. But sometimes there are diseases behind it.
The lumbar spine is a sensitive area of the body because it carries the entire weight of the torso. Persistent stress and incorrect posture can disrupt the complex interaction of vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs and muscles.
The result is painful blockages and restricted mobility. But orthopedic diseases or osteoporosis can also cause problems in the lumbar region.
What is the lumbar spine?
The lumbar spine, LWS for short, is made up of five lumbar vertebrae, which connect to the thoracic spine in the upper area and end in the sacrum in the lower area. Due to the upright gait, the lumbar spine is the most stressed area of the spine. In addition, the lumbar spine carries the entire weight of the torso and head. Between the lumbar vertebrae are intervertebral discs and ligaments. The lumbar spine is supported by muscles.
The lumbar spine makes movements of the spine, such as turning sideways and bending forward, possible in the first place. In the area of the lumbar spine, the movements that pass from the torso to the legs and are supported by muscle trains such as the hip flexors and the so-called adductors (pulling muscles) also take place.
“Not only the vertebral joints of the lumbar spine and the muscles and muscle traits are susceptible to disorders and age-related changes, but also the intervertebral discs, which serve as buffers and springs,” explains private lecturer Dr. David Kubosch, chief orthopaedist and spine surgeon at the Gundelfingen joint clinic. “Weak, shortened or tense muscles increase the pressure on the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs. The risk of pain increases.”
What are common causes of lower back pain?
The lumbar spine is not only stressed by walking upright, the weight of the torso and head, and age-related degeneration processes. Lack of exercise also affects the lumbar region as the supporting muscles become progressively weaker. Poor posture and strain cause tension and blockages. Obesity is also considered a risk factor for pain in the lumbar region.
“Pain in the lumbar region is particularly common in men. This is certainly also due to the fact that men often work in ‘hard jobs’ that are physically demanding. Women, on the other hand, often complain of pain in the upper back area and in the neck and shoulder joints. Often long periods of sitting are the cause,” says Kubosch.
Poor posture and strain – a risk for the lumbar vertebrae
According to the orthopaedist, incorrect posture such as sitting for long periods of time, but also incorrect strain, such as that caused by heavy lifting or intensive sports, are a common cause of self-inflicted postural damage and muscle tension in the lumbar spine.
“About 80 percent of people suffer from lower back pain at least once in their lives. We then speak of lumbar spine syndrome. Typical complaints are deep-seated pain in the back that radiates in the form of a belt and pain in the knees,” explains Kubosch. “And there is another risk associated with persistent poor posture and incorrect strain: the spine often shows bone changes and deforms over time. A rounded or hollow back is the visible result.”
Pain diagnosis at the doctor: where does the pain in the lower back come from?
There are various causes of pain in the area of the lumbar spine. Poor posture and improper strain are not the only things that can trigger back pain in the lower back. A herniated disc, lumbago, misalignment of the spine, rheumatic-inflammatory diseases, osteoporosis, arthrosis and broken bones can also cause pain in the lumbar region.
In addition to orthopedic causes, there are often psychological causes such as anxiety, depression or constant excessive demands at work behind the pain, since the muscles tense up, cramp and block under stress and pressure. The orthopedist receives information about the pain trigger during the anamnesis interview and with the help of initial examinations.
“If, for example, the lower back is affected on both sides, tense muscles are usually the cause. They are mainly caused by a lack of exercise and are favored by a one-sided, predominantly sedentary lifestyle, poor posture or heavy physical work. One-sided low back pain often occurs due to problems with Osteoarthritis or worn intervertebral discs can cause part of the lumbar spine to tilt to one side, leading to one-sided pain in the lower back,” says Kubosch.
What the timing of the pain reveals about the back
According to the expert, the time of the pain also provides important information about possible causes. In the case of ISG syndrome, for example, i.e. a blockage of the sacroiliac joint, pain often occurs when standing up after sitting for a long time. Back pain when lying down, which gets better after getting up with movement, could be caused by Bechterew’s disease, a rheumatic inflammatory disease. Lumbago is often noticeable through pain when bending over.
