Did you know that an estimated 80 percent of the world’s population will experience back pain at some point in their lives? Many people will encounter a point in their life when they wonder “why does my lower back hurt”. There are many reasons and causes for lower back pain.
Two common questions when it comes to lower back pain are “why does my lower back hurt when I walk” and “why does my lower back hurt when I lay down”. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to get answers for your lower back pain.
Continue reading to learn more about what causes lower back pain when walking and the things you can do in order to prevent lower back pain.
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt?
Your lower back is essential for providing your body with support when you’re standing, walking, or even lying down. Your spine is made up of vertebrae that are separated from each other by a disc that provides a cushion. If you’re standing upright for prolonged periods of time your back might become inflamed or sore.
Lower back hurt also comes with age and usage which becomes aggravated if you overuse it or put too much stress on it.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain
There are a number of common causes that lead to lower back hurt. It is important to be aware of these different causes so that you can avoid putting too much stress on your back. Knowledge of what causes lower back pain will help you live a full and active life.
Stress
The biggest cause of lower back pain is stress that results from standing or walking for too long of a time period. This puts pressure on the lumbar vertebrae in your back. If your work involves standing for long periods of time then it is also common for your back muscles to tighten up or tense. This leads to increased levels of pain.
Being Overweight
Another big cause of lower back hurt is being overweight. Your body’s excess weight puts additional stress on your joints as well as your back since they need to work harder in order to keep you upright and supported.
Facet joints are the part in your back that gets the most stress from being overweight. These joints are located between each vertebra and they’re what allows your back to have flexibility. Without these joints, it would be difficult to bend down or twist around.
Poor Posture
Another common cause of lower back hurt is poor posture. This is especially true for people who work in a setting where they’re seated for a large portion of the day. Poor posture for a day or two won’t have too much of a negative impact, but over the span of several years, it causes lower back pain.
It also affects the shape and anatomy of your spine. This puts additional stress on your discs, vertebra, muscles, and ligaments that make up your back.
Sedentary Lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle is a lifestyle of inactivity. Being active keeps your muscles strong and healthy, but when you’re inactive your body and back get weaker. This makes it more difficult and painful for your back to support your body weight when you try to stand or walk.
Poor Mattress
Having a bad mattress is also a common cause of lower back pain. Not all mattresses are equal and sometimes it is worth it to spend more on the right mattress for your health needs. Do your research to find out how firm you need your mattress to be and what material you want it composed of.
Preventing Lower Back Pain
The good news is that there are a variety of ways you can prevent lower back pain when walking or standing. Taking these steps will help to keep your back strong and relieve it of the stress that everyday life puts on it.
Change Your Workstation
If you’re someone that stands for many hours at their job, a good approach to take is to adjust your workstation. Request a workstation that is height-adjustable so that you’re able to move it according to your needs. Standing on a rubber mat is another great way to relieve your lower back of stress.
Avoid Wearing High Heels
High heels are a big cause of lower back pain since they cause your feet to stand in a position that isn’t natural to the human body. High heels can even alter the curvature of your spine. This leads to additional wear and tear on your spine over a period of years.
Wearing heels periodically shouldn’t cause any issues, but avoid wearing high heels on a daily basis if possible.
Invest In Orthotics
Orthotics are a great way to help with lower back pain. They’re inserts that you place inside of your shoes as a way to provide the support you need and to keep your body aligned. They’re a great investment if you experience plantar fasciitis or overpronation.
Stay Active and Stretch
Another great way to avoid lower back pain is to stay active and stretch multiple times per week. A good idea is to ask your doctor for exercises and stretches that they recommend. This is especially important since lower back pain could prevent you from performing certain exercises.
Lose Weight
Losing weight is another big factor in preventing lower back pain. It takes a load of pressure off of your spine as well as your joints. It also takes a lot of stress off of your lower back muscles, which need to work harder to perform simple tasks if you’re overweight.
This will also help your body by easing ankle and knee pain and make it easier for you to stay active and healthy.
Improve Your Posture
Posture plays a big role in spinal health and improving it is a guaranteed way to help with lower back pain. Take time throughout your day to check if you’re standing up straight or practicing good posture. Stand tall and keep your chest forward for the best posture to help with lower back pain.
Start Helping Your Lower Back Pain Today
If you’ve been wondering “why does my lower back hurt”, there are a number of reasons that could be leading to your lower back pain. Poor posture and inactivity are common causes, as is needing a new mattress to sleep on. Stress and being overweight also lead to lower back pain. There are a number of ways for you to prevent lower back pain, like staying active and improving your posture.
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