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Lower Back Pain When Bending Over

Lower Back Pain When Bending Over

Lower back pain can be annoying and restrictive, especially when you perform activities that require you to bend over. Tasks like picking up a dropped item or lifting something heavy when you are reaching down can momentarily act as "pain triggers" when you have a bad case of this ailment. 

Knowing what causes these low-back problems can let you know remedies that work for you. So let's explore potential causes of lower back pain when bending over, ways to alleviate this pain, and how physical therapy in Ashburn is a treatment option.

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain When Bending Over

Several components may be at work when a person experiences lower back pain while bending. Here are a few of the most prevalent: 

Muscle Strain

Straining your back muscles is one of the leading causes of lower back pain when bending over. You are likely to experience a strain if you overuse your muscles, move suddenly, or use improper lifting techniques.

Herniated Disc

Disc herniation happens when the soft inner material of an intervertebral disc is compromised. The inner material of the disc may then bulge or protrude outward. This injury can irritate nearby nerves and, therefore, cause pain that's most prominent when a person bends forward. If the sciatic nerve is irritated while you're bending over, you might experience pain that travels down into your leg. 

Spinal Stenosis

The narrowing of the spinal canal, called spinal stenosis, may compress the spinal cord and nerves. The condition may cause lower back pain, especially when bending forward. The condition is caused largely by age-related changes in the spine. These changes may happen with normal aging to anyone but are liable to be exacerbated by poor posture and excessive weight.

How to Relieve Lower Back Pain

Some effective methods can help control and reduce episodes of lower back pain when bowing. They are as follows: 

  1. Maintain good posture, not just when you're standing straight, but also when you bend over—you should "squat and not bow." 
  2. Don't lift heavy objects while bowing. 
  3. Use ice or heat therapy wisely. Do not apply the heat source directly. Instead, wrap it in a towel and apply to the sore area for 15 minutes at a time. 
  4. Do gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. Concentrate on the exercises that work your lower back, core, and hip muscles. Pelvic tilts, hamstring stretches, and lower back extensions are a few examples. 
  5. For those who work at a desk for long stretches of time, taking breaks to stand, stretch, and walk around can help alleviate the pressure that builds in your lower back. Try a standing desk or an ergonomic chair to reduce the potential for back pain further.

If your lower back pain continues or escalates, seek medical intervention. If you have any symptom that seems to go along with the back pain, especially if it is something that could indicate a serious medical problem, consult a doctor immediately. 

How Can Physical Therapy Help with Lower Back Pain?

When it comes to treating pain in the lower back while bending, physical therapy can be of utmost importance. Many people suffering from this condition benefit from back pain physical therapy in Ashburn, VA. The treatment often includes the following techniques;

Manual Therapy

A physical therapist uses their hands to perform techniques similar to chiropractic adjustments. They can also perform soft tissue work similar to a massage. The physical therapist will mobilize the joints in your spine and the surrounding regions, which can include your pelvis, ribcage, and shoulders.

Therapeutic Exercises

It is vital to ensure that your core muscles are up to speed to lend proper support to your spine and help reduce lower back pain. This is a space where physical therapists can work with you effectively. They will take you through targeted exercises that work the crucial muscle groups: the abdominals, the back, and the muscles in and around the hips. 

To optimize your core for both support and better function, your therapist will also work with you to enhance your flexibility and mobility. Pain in the back is often accompanied by a lack of both flexibility and mobility, which can be improved with therapeutic exercises.

Electrical Stimulation

One form of physical therapy that can help alleviate pain is called electrical stimulation. Don't let the name "electricity" scare you. While it does use some current, the level is safe and much lower than what you might find in other contexts. 

Your physical therapist will use a handheld device to apply the current to your body. The device penetrates your tissues and stimulates the release of endorphins, your body's natural painkillers. Electrical stimulation is a low-risk way to help manage pain and can be used in combination with other physical therapy modalities.

Education

The techniques your therapist will teach you are intended to reduce the potential for strain on your lower back and promote a healthy alignment of your spine. When you bend over, if you have lower back pain, it may be tough to engage in the activities of your everyday life, let alone to think about the underlying reasons for your discomfort or how you might manage it. 

However, during your treatment sessions, your physical therapist will teach you basic biomechanical principles and how to improve your posture when bending.

Conclusion

Although lower back pain when bending over can be quite restrictive, learning how to manage and prevent the pain can improve your quality of life. The at-home remedies discussed in this article can also help in alleviating the pain.

However, if your lower back pain is persistent, think about seeing a physical therapist for specialized help. They will give you just the right kind of direction and treatment for your individual situation. With their guidance, you can find relief, avoid future pain, and return to a life that's just as active as you want it to be.

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