8 Causes Of Lower Back Pain In Women And What To Do About It

Occasional periods of back pain are a normal part of life. But if you’ve reached a point where your chronic pain is seriously disrupting your daily activities, then it may be time to get to the root cause of your sore, achy spine.

For women, common causes of back pain can look drastically different than their male counterparts, which can make it even more difficult to find the relief you deserve. That’s why the team at Got Pain Arizona has broken down the 8 most common causes of lower back pain in women, as well as the signs and symptoms you should be aware of.

Muscle Deconditioning

Muscle deconditioning, also called muscle weakness, can make everyday activities feel like exhausting tasks. This condition happens when the muscles surrounding a particular part of the body become weak or fatigued, making it difficult to function at their full capacity.

In most cases, muscle deconditioning happens when the muscle group in question hasn’t gotten enough exercise. However, this can also be attributed to underlying health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, and fibromyalgia.

Your back pain may be due to muscle deconditioning if you experience…

• Difficulty walking or balancing
• Numbness or tingling in the spinal cord area
• Dull, achy sensations in the lower and middle back
• Feeling worn out by activities you used to enjoy

Poor Posture

In today’s modern world, maintaining good posture has never been more challenging. Whether you work at a desk, endure a lengthy commute, or find yourself hunched over a screen during the day, chances are that poor posture could be taking a heavy toll on your spinal health.

Your back pain may be due to poor posture if you experience…

• Frequent headaches
• Neck pain
• Rounding in the shoulders
• General aches and pains
• Feeling fatigued or weak

Natural Aging

Getting older is a natural process that can come with many physical changes. And even with regular exercise and practicing good posture, the effects of aging on the body can lead to serious discomfort in the lower and upper back. This aspect of aging is often referred to as degeneration, which happens when years of wear and tear begin to impact the spinal cord and surrounding muscles.

Your back pain may be due to aging if you experience…

• Feelings of stiffness in the neck and shoulders
• Compression fracture along the spine
• Signs of aging on imaging
• Difficulty standing up straight

Injury Or Traumatic Events

Of course, not all causes of upper back pain in female patients, as well as lower back pain, are due to natural causes. If you’ve suffered even minor injuries to your spinal cord, the stress can lead to significant chronic pain later in life. Every incident ranging from a car accident to a sports-related injury can pose a serious threat to the health and functionality of each area on your back.

Your back pain may be due to a traumatic injury if you experience…

• Middle back pain or lower back pain that gets worse with time
• Decreased range of motion for daily activities
• Muscle spasms that happen when you move
• Herniated discs that are visible on a imaging

Daily Overuse

In other cases, lower back pain in women is simply caused by repeating the same motions on a daily basis. This leads to overuse of the muscle groups along the spine, causing them to become stiff or strained. This cause is especially likely if you practice heavy lifting regularly.

Your back pain may be due to muscle overuse if you experience…

• Tingling or numbness in the affected area
• Feeling stiff or tight in the back, neck, and shoulders
• Hearing a popping or clicking noise when performing normal movements
• Difficulty completing the same tasks that you normally would

Pregnancy And Post-Partum Recovery

It’s no secret that pregnancy brings an abundance of physical changes, all of which can help your baby grow. But aside from the periods of nausea and strange food cravings, pregnancy can also take a toll on your pelvis and back. That’s because your growing baby often places pressure on your sacroiliac joint, which connects these two portions of the body.

In most cases, this type of back pain will clear up on its own during the post-partum recovery period. However, if the pain continues even after birth, you may need to seek the help of a medical professional to alleviate your discomfort.

UTI Or Kidney Infections

One of the most overlooked common causes of back pain is the potential side effects that come with UTIs and kidney infections. For example, when a UTI occurs in the upper tract, it can cause pain to radiate from the groin area and into the lower back. This same sensation can also be attributed to kidney infections.

Your back pain may be due to a UTI if you experience…

• Pain in the groin, pelvis, and lower back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Foul-smelling urine
• Frequent urge to use the restroom, even if you don’t need to go
• Fever
• Feeling weak or tired

Endometriosis

Finally, there are some cases in which lower back pain in women is due to a more serious underlying medical condition. Endometriosis, which occurs when tissues similar to those found in the uterus, attach to other areas of the body. These tissues can also attach to the lower back and pelvis, leading to chronic pain.

Your back pain may be due to endometriosis if you experience…

• Pain in the vagina, pelvis, and lower back areas
• Uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse
• Abnormal menstruation cycles
• Nausea and constipation
• Struggles with fertility and conception

Ready To Find Relief For Your Back Pain?

No matter what the cause of your back pain is, you don’t have to settle for living in discomfort.

Our team of pain management specialists is multi-disciplined in a variety of pain management techniques. Got Pain Arizona is committed to helping women of all backgrounds enjoy pain-free living using modern regenerative medicine and a customizable approach.

Learn more about how our procedures can alleviate your back pain today.