What Are the Risk Factors for Lower Back Pain?

Everyone agrees that lower back pain is terrible. It can make it hard to get out of bed, walk, or sit down. It's often described as sharp, achy, or throbbing. Unfortunately, 80% of adults experience it at some point. Our chiropractor at Duben Holistic Chiropractic Center in Westlake Village, CA, understands some predisposing factors to lower back pain.

Excess Weight

Obesity remains a significant health problem in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more than one-third of U.S. adults are obese. Obesity is a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. Being obese puts extra strain on your lower back. The excess weight, especially around your midsection, increases the curvature of your spine. This curvature can lead to lordosis, in which your spine curves inward more than it should. Lordosis can cause lower back pain.

Lack of Exercise

You'll likely have a lower back injury if you don't exercise regularly. That's because regular exercise strengthens the muscles that support your back. When these muscles are weak, they're more likely to be injured. Exercise also helps keep your joints flexible. This flexibility is essential, because the stiffness in your joints can lead to lower back pain. Chiropractic care, which includes spinal manipulation, can also help keep your joints flexible.

Poor Posture

If you have poor posture, you're more likely to experience lower back pain. That's because poor posture puts extra strain on your spine. The pressure can cause the vertebrae in your spine to become misaligned. This strain can lead to subluxations when the vertebrae in your spine are not in their proper position. Subluxations can cause pain, stiffness, and other problems.

Disc Herniation

A disc herniation is when the soft center of a spinal disc bulges out through a tear in the disc's outer layer. This misalignment can put pressure on the nerves in your spine. Disc herniation can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in your legs or arms and remains a common cause of lower back pain.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs when the discs in your spine start to break down. This deterioration can lead to pain, numbness, or tingling in your legs or arms. In addition, degenerative disc disease is a common cause of lower back pain.

Visit Our Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain needs to be treated by a qualified doctor, like a chiropractor. If you're looking for relief from lower back pain in Westlake Village, CA, look no further than Duben Holistic Chiropractic Center. Our experienced and compassionate team will work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.