Lower back pain is a widespread condition affecting over half of the global population. Lower back pain can be caused by different factors, but most often the pain is caused by injury or an unhealthy lifestyle. In specific, lower back pain can occur when you walk or stand with a slouched posture. It is also known as lumbago. The lower back pain can be so extreme that it takes away the feeling of being able to stand, walk, or even breathe properly. The pain can also permeate throughout the entire back.
Prolonged lumbago has a negative effect on the health of a person. Lower back pain can cause or aggravate other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and hip pain. It is difficult to return to normal activities after suffering from lumbago for a long time because lower back pain alters the bones of the lower back.
7 Reasons of Uncomfortable Lower Back When You Standing or Walking
There are many reasons why you might feel severe lower back pain while standing or walking. It can be a spasm, and inflammation, or acute damage to the muscles located in your low back. Your body also has strong reflexes that will inhibit you from rotating at the waist.
Muscle Fatigue
As you age, your muscles will gradually weaken. When this happens, your muscle fibers will be easily strained by normal movements. The small movement of walking triggers this reaction. The muscles are immediately strained by the action of walking or running. This reaction is normally experienced by runners and elderly people.
If you have lower back pain when walking or standing, it could be due to muscle spasms. These can occur in the muscles that surround your lumbar spine to prevent it from rotating at the waist. The pain can also be a dull ache. If you have a prolonged spasm, it will affect your lower back in a negative way that can lead to extreme pain in the future.
See this article about non-stop standing can cause Muscle Fatigue
Frequent Injury
There are many causes of injury when it comes to lower back pain. It can result from an accident, sports activity, heredity, or even age. The injuries cause inflammation and irritation of the muscles in your lower back. More importantly, the injury will also cause the nerve fibers to be irritated. This irritation can result in lasting damage to the nerves or spinal cord.
The injury usually occurs to one of the ligaments located at your back. This ligament can give way due to frequent strain, overwork, arthritis, or chronic strain. A more common injury is caused by a repetitive movement that can lead to excessive wear and tear on the musculature located at your lower back.
Read more about lower back pain in sport.
Spinal Stenosis
If you have spinal stenosis, the space around your spinal cord in your lower back has shrunk. This causes a narrowing in the canal that surrounds it. The reduced space prevents movement in and out of this canal, resulting in irritation of the nerves. Spinal stenosis causes back pain when walking or standing.
In addition to injury, some people suffer from a degenerative disease of the spine. A degenerative disease of the spine can gradually cause a narrowing of the nerves in your spinal cord. When this happens, the nerves will be irritated, resulting in chronic pain down your back. This condition is known as a common problem among older adults who can no longer fully enjoy their daily activities due to unbearable lower back pain when walking or standing.
Facet Joints
There are some people who suffer from lower back pain when standing. In some cases, the cause of this pain is a degeneration of the facet joints. Degeneration of a facet joint can have serious consequences. When a facet joint is loosened, this will cause it to press on the nerves located below it. This tightening will last until the facet loses its function and ability to support itself.
Read more about Facet Joints Syndrome.
Stress
Sometimes the cause of lower back pain is a buildup of psychological stress. Psychological stress affects your body in many ways, resulting in an increase in pain. Psychological stress also results in muscle tension, which compels the muscles in your lower back to contract even when you are not feeling stressed. Back pain made worse by stress is a real problem for those who suffer from it. Psychological stress can also lead to anxiety, which can cause inflammation of your muscles.
Read more about how does stress can cause lower back pain.
Pregnancy
The final reason why you might experience severe lower back pain is during pregnancy. Pregnancy is associated with many changes in the body, especially in your spinal cord and muscles. Pregnancy hormones boost a woman’s muscle mass. This results in an increase in muscle tension throughout your body.
Read more about Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy.
Being Overweight
If you have a larger frame, it is likely that you will have a greater deal of muscle mass in your lower back. This will inevitably result in greater muscle tension when you are standing or walking. People with large frames often have more difficulty in moving their spinal cord, resulting in lower back pain when standing.
Read more about Obesity and Lower Back Pain.
Other Symptoms of Back Pain
- Cramping pain in the lower back
- Pain during motion of the back
- Sharp pain in the spinal column
- A constant feeling of sickness and discomfort
- Severe pain during walking and standing up. The pain can also be felt while driving or riding a bike.
One of the symptoms that are potentially dangerous is pain in the lower back. The pain commonly lasts for three to five days. If you experience sharp, shooting, or burning pains in your back, be sure to check with your doctor. The pain should not be present during motion of the back or when lying down, but it can occur when sitting or standing up.
Read More about Lower Back Pain Symtoms.
Homestay Treatments to Stop Serious Lower Back Pain
Back discomfort is frequently brought on by an injury or a sedentary way of life. If you suffer from chronic pain in the lower back, it is important to consult with your doctor. However, the temporary pain can be relieved effectively by facile treatments.
Modify Posture
It is highly recommended that you modify your daily activities to reduce the pain. Your doctor might recommend standing on a foam body elevation, a standing mat, or a pacemaker. The following posture will help relieve the pain:
The above-mentioned options are only meant for temporary relief of the pain. When you do not properly follow these postures, they can cause further damage to your spine and irritate the nerves located in your lower back.
See more about coping tips to ease lower back pain.
Wearing Supportive Shoes
When walking or standing, make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes. Your heels should be able to rest on the floor if you have the proper footwear. When you wear supportive shoes for lower back pain, your center of gravity will be properly aligned and ease the pain in your lower back. This will also help to prevent injury and wear and tear of your muscles and connective tissue. You need to consider not wearing shoes too tight as they will only aggravate the discomfort caused by your lower back pain.
Related to this: Can Shoes cause Back Pain?
Temperature
Heat and ice can be used to help relieve lower back pain. Heat is appropriate for the inflammation and pain caused by an injury. Apply a warm towel to your lumbar part and leave it for about 20 minutes. If you prefer cold treatment, place an ice bag around the area that causes you discomfort.
In winter times, the cold temperature can trigger the lower back pain.
Gentle Exercises
Physical exercises can help prevent chronic lower back pain. Certain exercises can improve strength and flexibility in the muscles and joints located in your lower back. You can try to do stretching exercises at the end of the day. Try to do gentle exercises such as walking, swimming, or cycling. These activities will stimulate the muscles in your legs and allow your blood to circulate freely. Proper exercise will also strengthen your back and improve its flexibility and motion.
In this research, aerobic exercises are benefitcial to ease the lower back pain and improve your health.
Other Treatments to Stop Serious Lower Back Pain
This section is not medical advise and these methods for research purposes. For more treatments and medical advices please visit Healthline.
Spinal Manipulation
Spinal manipulation is a treatment where the doctor uses his or her hands to move the muscles and bones of your spine in order to relieve pain. This method is widely used by specialists who diagnose lower back pain while standing. The treatment has been shown to help with some cases of back pain, even while you are standing.
Surgery
If lower back pain is worsening every day, it is recommended to talk with your doctor. He or she can suggest alternative treatments before surgery. Afterward, you will need to undergo surgery to restore your normal movement in your lower back. Surgical options include spinal decompression, spinal fusion, or laminectomy.
Back surgery can be a highly effective treatment for lower back pain when standing. Surgery involves the removal of part of the damaged vertebrae, resulting in the decompression of the nerves and spinal cord. Back surgery is only recommended to those suffering from severe or chronic pain because there are many risks involved with this procedure.
Medications
If you experience lower back pain while standing, see your doctor right away. Medication may be able to assist ease your discomfort. The best treatment depends on your lower back pain, the cause, and the individual you are. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of the pain.
Medication is only recommended for acute cases of lower back pain when standing. Acute means that you have not suffered from chronic lower back pain for a long time. If you take medication regularly, it is likely that this condition will persist in the future.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for lower back pain can be done at any time. Any physical therapist will guide you through a series of exercises designed to reduce pressure on your nerves and muscles located in your lower back. The goal of this therapy is to strengthen the muscles that surround your lumbar spine, thereby preventing further injury or pain when standing or walking.
FAQs
How do you know if lower back pain is serious?
Lower back pain that appears to be getting worse every day, which prolong from 3 to 5 days, should be causing concern. The only way to know for sure is to consult with a physician. Medical professionals can suggest alternative treatments before surgery, and if surgery is needed, it will involve the removal of part of the damaged vertebrae, resulting in spinal decompression or spinal fusion. If your lower back hurts when you’re standing, you should consult a doctor immediately once. Your discomfort may be alleviated with the help of medication.
What to do when your back hurts so bad you can’t move?
When your back hurts so bad that you can’t move, it’s important to do the following:
- Keep in mind that back pain is normal and will usually go away after a few days
- Exercise including stretching, swimming, walking may help alleviate some of the discomfort
- Make sure to eat well enough on a daily basis because food helps your body heal
- Massage your lower back with some type of oil at least twice per week. Sometimes it can relieve pain
How do you prevent serious lower back pain?
- If you have a bad back injury, see a doctor assess the degree of the injury and what is causing it. If you have spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, lumbar spondylosis or multiple herniations then talk to the doctor about surgery
- Adjust a sedentary lifestyle if you are inactive or sitting for longer than 30 minutes. This can be helped by walking daily if possible
- Use proper posture when walking, standing or sitting that will help prevent strain on your back
- Do not wear shoes with too high heels
- Do not strain your lower back while lifting heavy objects or bending down to pick up something
What is the right posture when walking and standing to prevent back pain?
- Keep an erect posture while walking
- Bend your waist while bending down. This will help support your lower back
- When sitting, adjust your chair for proper leg length and sit straight. Use a chair with armrests to help support your back when sitting
- When standing, try to stand up straight with good posture. You can avoid slouching by sitting up straight, pushing your shoulders back and stretching. Slouching may cause chronic pain, soreness in the neck and upper back, or even constant headaches. It’s not just bad for your spine, it’s also bad for your posture and the muscles of your face.