Sore Lower Back

Various stresses and injuries can trigger a sore lower back. While discomfort in the lower back is a common occurrence, it should never be disregarded or thought of as a temporary or inconsequential problem! It can lead to complications if not addressed in a timely manner.

Before we get into what causes a sore lower back and how to relieve your back pain, let's have a look at the anatomy of the lumbar spine. The lumbar spine consists of the L1 to L5 vertebrae; the intervertebral discs; the spinal cord and the ligaments, muscles and nerves that surround them. The lumbar spine is one of the most vulnerable parts of the human anatomy due to our evolutionary progression from walking on all-fours to standing upright. Upright walking, and the activities we undergo in an upright position, put a great deal of extra force and tension into the lumbar area that four-legged animals do not have to contend with. Thus why many suffer from a sore lower back.

There are several factors (both internal and external) that lead to a sore lower back. Pain can be an indicator of an illness or infection, and some of the typical medical causes are as follows: a herniated disc, problems with the vertebrae like spondylolysthesis and spondylolysis, bone diseases like osteoporosis, spinal issues such as scoliosis and spinal stenosis, tumours, previous back injuries, complications with your kidneys (e.g., kidney stones), urinary tract infections, pancreatitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Viral and bacterial infections are also known to bring about a sore lower back. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor to rule out the possibility of any of these conditions.

If none of these medical issues are the cause your sore lower back, it might be due to one of the following. Bad posture will put extra stress on your back and trigger painful sensations. Overexertion and lifting of heavy objects will also lead to a sore lower back. The other possible causes are pregnancy, obesity, awkward sleeping positions, smoking, ageing, and stress. Refraining from overexertion, adequate care and rest, and the implementation of the necessary changes in your lifestyle and sleeping positions can take away the discomfort. However, natural treatments can also help in speeding up the healing process, especially for more complex causes.

Osteopathy is a field of alternative medicine that espouses natural healing. In particular, it looks at the human anatomy as a cohesive unit with various structures that possess the ability to repair itself from disorders and injuries given the correct guidance.

Osteopathy is very beneficial for a sore lower back, with many patients reporting dinimished pain (and even complete relief) after just a few sessions. Peter Reid, osteopath at The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre, has effectively treated patients not just with a sore lower back, but also pinched nerves in the neck area, muscle spasms and rotator cuff damage, among other injuries and musculoskeletal problems.

Do you have a sore lower back? Peter and The Crows Nest Complementary Health Centre can relax your back region and eradicate your discomfort! Ring 02 9964 9722 or e-mail Reception to schedule your appointment with Peter. You can also head directly to the Centre, which is at Suite 208, 3 Bruce St. cnr. Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, Sydney