Yoga for back pain

Lower back pain, sometimes called lumbago.  The low back, also called the lumbar region, is the area of the back that starts below the ribcage. Now a days lower back pain is very common. It often results from a strain (injury) to muscles or tendons in the back.  Lower back pain affects the lumbar region of spine or back.

Cause of lower back pain:

• Injury -  When the spine experiences significant trauma multiple times, it can lead to the development of chronic lower back pain

• Obesity-  Excess body weight strains the muscles supporting your spine.  The lower back is put under additional strain along with weakening of back muscles due to limited physical activity  Therefore, weight loss can be an effective way to prevent lower back pain.

• Muscle weakness - Weak core  muscle, lower back muscle can cause lower back pain in the long run.

• Disk problems -  Spinal discs are crucial cushions situated between your vertebrae. These discs can bulge out of their normal position, pressing on a nearby nerve – this is known as a pinched nerve. They can also tear, leading to a herniated disk. As we age, these discs can become thinner and lose their cushioning ability, a condition called degenerative disk disease. 

• Structural problem: 

Spinal Stenosis: When the spinal canal, the space within your spinal column, becomes too narrow for your spinal cord, it's called spinal stenosis. If something like bony growths (vertebral bone spurs) presses on your spinal cord, it can cause significant sciatic nerve pain and lower back pain.

Lumbar Scoliosis: An abnormal sideways curvature of the lower spine (lumbar scoliosis) can also lead to pain, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.

Spondylolisthesis: Another structural issue causing lower back pain is spondylolisthesis. This occurs when one of the vertebrae in your spine slips out of its proper place and rests on the vertebra below it.

• Arthritis -  Osteoarthritis is the most frequent form of arthritis that leads to lower back pain. Ankylosing spondylitis, another type of arthritis, causes lower back pain along with inflammation and stiffness in your spine.

• Osteoporosis - osteoarthritis, involves damage to the cartilage that cushions our joints. This smooth surface allows bones to move almost without friction. When this cartilage wears away, it can result in painful bone-on-bone contact and limited joint movement. 

• Sedentary lifestyle-  If the patient has weak, unused back, abdomen  muscles due to lack of physical exercise, it can lead to back pain.
• Strain due to lifting heavy objects regularly-  Due to frequent lifting of heavy load, back muscles become strained which lead to back pain in the long run. Jobs  involving heavy lifting or repeated bending movements can make you more susceptible to back injuries. 

•  Wrong posture - Maintaining poor posture can create undue stress and tension on your spine. Over time, this can result in pain. 

• Other conditions or  disease  - cancer, fever, acidity, pregnancy, kidney infection, kidney stones etc can cause back pain.

• Stress/depression-  Stressful work or conditions, depression and anxiety can increase your likelihood of experiencing back pain. 

•  Smoking -  -Smoking raises your chances of developing low back discomfort.  Smoking can weaken disks, making them vulnerable to rupture. Quit smoking.