Most Common Causes of Chronic Lower Back Pain

Chronic lower back pain is that which is unrelenting, sporadic, or progressively worsening, for a duration of three months or longer. Acute pain generally has a definitive cause, but chronic lower back pain sometimes requires some detective work to figure out where it is coming from.

Weight

• Weight contributes to lower back pain by placing stress and strain on ligaments, tendons, muscles and on the spinal discs themselves.

Strain

• Strain of the soft tissue fibers--muscle, tendons and ligaments--are a common cause of lower back pain. Depending on the severity of the injury, this type of strain can cause not only pain, but also weakness in the affected and nearby areas.

Nerve Irritation

• Compression or irritation of nerves, such as the sciatic nerve, can create conditions of pain that may radiate from the lower back down into the legs.

Degeneration

• Disc degeneration is a common cause of chronic lower back pain. Age and "wear and tear" can cause spinal vertebrae to break down over time. Disc degeneration can usually be detected in x-rays or MRI diagnostics.

Spinal Misalignment

• Misalignment of the spinal vertebrae are another common cause of chronic lower back pain. Muscles attached to the spinal column that are too tight can pull vertebrae out of alignment and cause mild to severe pain.

Inflammation

• Inflammatory conditions like arthritis can cause lower back pain and stiffness which often worsens in the morning.