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Lower Back Pain When Standing

Lower Back Pain When Standing

Lower back pain when standing may be mild and resolve on its own. However, in some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Fortunately, your physical therapist can examine your condition and create a treatment plan specifically for you. This article explores the causes of lower back pain when standing, the risk factors, and Back Pain Therapy in Austin, TX. Kindly read along.

Causes Of Lower Back Pain When Standing

If you experience lower back pain when standing, it may be a result of different factors, including:

Muscle Fatigue, Sprain or Strain

Prolonged standing can strain your leg muscles, resulting in lower back pain. This stress may make sitting down and getting up more difficult for you. Back pain from muscle strains is mild and should relieve you when you sit or lie down.

Hyperlordosis

Hyperlordosis is a condition that occurs when your lower spine curves inward. This condition causes your buttocks to become more prominent and your stomach to stick out. You may notice a C-shape curve or a large gap in your lower back area if you have hyperlordosis.

Hyperlordosis can cause lower back pain, which can worsen with prolonged standing. 

Degenerative Disc Disease

The spinal discs are cartilaginous pads between the vertebral column bones that help absorb the impact of regular movements, exposing them to wear and tear as we age. Before long, the bones start to rub against one another, causing pain and stiffness. You must note that back pain due to degenerative disc disease may improve with walking but worsen with lifting, standing, or bending. Nonetheless, you need back pain therapy in Austin, TX, among other medical interventions.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when there is a breakdown in the cartilage and tissues of the lower back. This condition results from wear and tear, which can cause lower back pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Bad Habits

Sometimes, your back pain when standing may result from bad habits. These habits include poor posture, lack of regular exercise, or lifting heavy objects. You will also likely develop back pain when standing if you sleep on an unsupportive or old mattress. 

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back to the knee and is responsible for sensation along that path. Sciatica is sciatic nerve irritation, resulting in back pain when standing. This condition results from a bulging disc or an inflammation of the surrounding tissue. 

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal where the spinal cord and other associated nerves run through, and that causes pressure on the spinal cord, resulting in pain. Other symptoms of this condition include weakness and tingling in the legs, bowel and bladder problems, and sexual dysfunction. While some people are born with a narrow spinal canal, others develop it following injury to the back.

Who Is At Risk Of Lower Back Pain When Standing?

Although lower back pain when standing can happen to anyone, some people are at a higher risk of developing this pain. Risk factors for this condition include;

Age

When standing, Lower back pain is more likely to occur as you age. People above the age of 35 are more susceptible to this pain.

Smoking

Smoking increases your risk of many diseases. It can increase the risk of osteoporosis and decrease blood flow to your spine. The more cigarettes you smoke per day, the higher your chances of experiencing back pain when standing.

Improper Lifting

Using your back when lifting heavy loads makes you more likely to develop lower back pain when standing.

Lack Of Exercise

A sedentary lifestyle leads to weak abdominal and back muscles. This makes you prone to experiencing lower back pain when standing.

Diseases

You are likely to feel back pain when standing if you have diseases like cancer or arthritis. Some cancers, like prostate cancer, can spread to the lower back and cause pain, while arthritis may affect the spine.

How Can Physical Therapy Help With Lower Back Pain When Standing?

When you visit your physical therapist for treatment when you experience lower back pain, the following occur;

Assessment

Your physical therapist will assess your condition and medical history to determine what might have caused your back pain.

Treatment Plan

Your diagnosis will help your physical therapist come up with a suitable treatment plan that addresses the underlying cause of your pain. This plan may include physical therapy techniques like therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and dry needling.

Treatment

You will follow the treatment plan, and your physical therapist will monitor your progress. If necessary, they will adjust your treatment to improve your healing.

Education

Your physical therapist will educate you on proper posture and lifestyle changes to prevent a recurrence.

Physical Therapy Treatment For Lower Back Pain

Your physical therapist may use one or more of the following treatment techniques to address your lower back pain;

Dry Needling

Your physical therapist can use dry needling to address your lower back pain. This treatment involves the use of needles without medication. These needles are inserted into tense or trigger points in your back to improve blood flow and reduce pain. 

However, before getting this treatment, inform your physical therapist if you have underlying medical conditions to know if it is safe.

Manual Therapy

Your physical therapist may employ manual therapy techniques to help with pain relief. This treatment includes massage and soft tissue mobilization and manipulation. Manual therapy is a safe treatment that may help relieve your lower back pain. 

Therapeutic Exercises

Therapeutic exercises can help strengthen your lower back and abdominal muscles to relieve lower back pain. Your physical therapist will select the best exercises to improve your range of motion and restore your function. 

Depending on the severity of your lower back pain, you may carry out these exercises passively or actively. Passive exercises require assistance from your physical therapist till you can do them on your own.

What Are The Best Exercises For Lower Back Pain When Standing?

Therapeutic exercises for lower back pain include core-strengthening, postural, and lumbar stabilizing exercises. 

Core-Strengthening Exercises

Core-strengthening exercises can help strengthen your core muscles to improve your function and reduce lower back pain. These exercises include the pelvic tilt, crunches, planks, and cat-cow pose.

Postural Exercises

Postural exercises help control your posture. Incorrect posture is one of the causes of lower back pain when standing. Postural exercises can stretch your back and abdominal muscles to stabilize your spine and reduce lower back pain.

Posture-correcting exercises include calf stretches, pelvic tilts, and seated squats.

Lumbar Stabilizing Exercises

Your spine can only support your lower body if your hips and legs are strong. Lumbar stabilizing exercises can strengthen your hip and leg muscles to relieve lower back pain when walking.

Lunges, hamstring stretches, squats, and planks with leg lifts are popular lumbar stabilizing exercises.

How To Prevent Lower Back Pain When Standing

Besides treating lower back pain, knowing how to prevent the pain is also crucial. The following tips can help you prevent lower back pain when standing:

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Obesity can strain your joints and add extra pressure on your back and leg muscles. This can make daily tasks like walking and standing difficult. Maintaining a healthy weight removes this pressure and prevents pain in the lower back when walking.

Get Supportive Shoes

Supportive shoes or shoe inserts can support your feet and help keep them in a neutral and supported position. This reduces the pressure on your lower back and prevents pain.

Maintain A Correct Posture

Your posture significantly impacts your lower back. You can prevent pain by standing up straight, walking upright, and not dropping your shoulders when standing.

Correct Your Ergonomics

If you work at a desk all day, slouching can add extra pressure on your lower back, causing pain. It is best to adjust your workstation and make it ergonomic to prevent back pain.

Exercise Frequently

As mentioned earlier, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the causes of back pain when standing. You can carry out low-impact cardio exercises like swimming and walking to prevent back pain. Your physical therapist can also recommend exercises you can do at home and how to do them.

It is best to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. You can also mix your exercise routine with low and high-intensity activities. 

Lift Properly

The proper lifting technique is to hold the object as close to your body. Then, maintain a wide stance and bend from your legs, not your back. You should also avoid lifting objects that are too heavy.

Conclusion

Lower back pain when standing may be mild, and sometimes, it can be severe. It is best to seek medical help when you notice accompanying symptoms like weakness or tingling in your legs.

Your physical therapist can diagnose and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you. This treatment is progressive, and your physical therapist will make adjustments where necessary.

If you can’t walk or your lower back hurts, it is best to contact Carter Physiotherapy in Austin, TX, for appropriate treatment.

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