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732-431-2155

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732-780-1111

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732-660-9490

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What Are the Causes of Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide, often striking without warning and disrupting daily activities, such as sitting at a desk and lifting groceries. While the discomfort can range from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating pain, understanding what triggers these episodes is crucial for both prevention and treatment. The causes of lower back pain are surprisingly diverse, spanning from simple muscle strains and poor posture to more complex issues like herniated discs, arthritis, and underlying medical conditions. By identifying the root cause of your back pain, you can take targeted steps toward relief and develop strategies to prevent future flare-ups.
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What Are the Causes of Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide, often striking without warning and disrupting daily activities, such as sitting at a desk and lifting groceries. While the discomfort can range from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating pain, understanding what triggers these episodes is crucial for both prevention and treatment. The causes of lower back pain are surprisingly diverse, spanning from simple muscle strains and poor posture to more complex issues like herniated discs, arthritis, and underlying medical conditions. By identifying the root cause of your back pain, you can take targeted steps toward relief and develop strategies to prevent future flare-ups.
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Table of Content

Top 10 Causes of Pain in the Lower Back (Lumbar Spine)

Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within the spine narrow, putting pressure on the nerves that travel through it. This condition typically develops as the spinal bones gradually thicken and the ligaments enlarge over time, reducing the available space for the nerve roots. The narrowing can cause pain, numbness, and weakness that often worsens with walking or standing upright, while sitting or leaning forward may provide relief.

Herniated or Bulging Discs

When spinal disks weaken or rupture, they can press against nearby nerves, creating significant discomfort. The underlying causes often relate to age-related wear and tear, sudden movements, and heavy lifting. Excess weight puts additional pressure on the spine, while poor blood flow to the discs can accelerate degeneration, making this condition more likely to develop over time.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Despite its name, degenerative disc disease is caused by a natural aging process rather than an actual disease. As we age, the discs between vertebrae lose water content and flexibility, becoming less effective at cushioning the spine against body weight and daily stresses. While this process affects everyone, some people experience pain when the deteriorating discs create instability or compress the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis in the lower back develops when the cartilage that cushions the joints between vertebrae breaks down over time. This wear-and-tear condition can cause the bones to rub against each other, leading to inflammation, stiffness, and severe pain that typically worsens with activity and improves with rest. The condition often affects people over 50 and can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it, potentially narrowing the spinal canal and putting pressure on nerve roots. This slippage can result from degenerative changes, stress fractures, or congenital defects and may lead to nerve damage if left untreated. The condition can cause lower back pain, leg pain, and in severe cases, problems with bowel or bladder function.

Spinal Injuries/Trauma

Sudden trauma from accidents, falls, or sports injuries can cause fractures, dislocations, or soft tissue damage to the spine. These injuries often result in acute back pain that develops immediately following the traumatic event. The severity can range from minor muscle strains to severe fractures that require immediate medical attention and may have long-lasting effects on spinal function.

Spinal Tumors

Though relatively rare, tumors can develop in or around the spine, causing persistent lower back pain that may worsen at night or with rest. Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies and blood tests, including a complete blood count, to help identify the presence and type of tumor. These growths can be either primary (originating in the spine) or secondary (spread from cancer elsewhere in the body).

Muscle Strains and Ligament Sprains

Muscle strains and ligament sprains are among the most common causes of lower back pain, often resulting from sudden movements, poor lifting techniques, or overuse during physical activity. These injuries to the soft tissues can cause sharp pain and muscle spasms that may limit movement and daily activities. Young athletes are particularly susceptible due to their high level of physical activity and sometimes inadequate warm-up routines.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. This condition typically results from nerve compression caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis. Pain episodes can range from mild discomfort to excruciating pain, making it extremely difficult to sit, stand, or walk.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spinal column, causing pain and stiffness that typically begins in the lower back and pelvis. This autoimmune condition can eventually lead to the fusion of vertebrae, resulting in reduced flexibility and potentially causing a hunched posture. The pain is often worse in the morning and improves with movement and exercise.

How to Distinguish Between Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain?

Understanding the distinction between acute and chronic back pain is crucial for effective treatment and management. Acute low back pain develops suddenly and is intense but short-lived, usually lasting anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In most cases, acute pain resolves on its own with basic self-care measures like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications. In contrast, chronic back pain persists for three months or longer and may continue for long periods, sometimes years, requiring more comprehensive treatment approaches. While acute pain often has an apparent trigger, like lifting something heavy or sudden movement, chronic pain may develop gradually and persist even after the original injury has healed.

Major Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing lower back pain, including lifestyle choices and underlying health conditions. Understanding these risk factors can help you take proactive steps to protect your spine and reduce your chances of experiencing debilitating back problems.
  • Age - Risk increases as you get older, particularly after age 30-40
  • Physical fitness - Poor conditioning and weak core muscles provide less spinal support
  • Weight management - Failing to maintain a healthy weight puts extra stress on the spine
  • Occupation -Jobs that require lifting heavy objects or prolonged sitting increase the risk of lower back pain
  • Smoking -Tobacco use reduces blood flow to the spine; we recommend quitting smoking to improve spinal health
  • Posture Poor posture during daily activities strains the back muscles and ligaments
  • Stress - Psychological stress can cause muscle tension that makes pain worse
  • Sedentary lifestyle - Lack of regular exercise weakens the supporting musclesse
  • Medical conditions - Arthritis, osteoporosis, and other conditions increase vulnerability
  • Warning signs - Unexplained weight loss combined with back pain may indicate serious underlying issues
Addressing these lifestyle factors through regular exercise, proper ergonomics, and healthy habits can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic lower back pain.

We Can Alleviate Pain Symptoms

At Advanced Wellness, we understand that effective lower back pain treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your condition. Our experienced healthcare professionals conduct thorough consultations and examinations to identify the root cause of your discomfort. This process typically includes a detailed physical exam to assess your range of motion, strength, and pain levels, along with imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs when necessary. In some cases, we may recommend a bone scan or other specialized diagnostics to ensure we provide the most accurate diagnosis. When your back pain requires immediate medical attention, our team is equipped to provide prompt, professional care tailored to your specific needs.

Steroid Injections

Our targeted steroid injection treatments offer powerful anti-inflammatory relief for patients experiencing severe lower back pain. These precise injections are administered directly into the affected area of the spine, allowing us to relieve pain at its source while minimizing systemic side effects. The procedure is performed using advanced imaging guidance to ensure optimal placement and maximum therapeutic benefit.

Chiropractic Care

Our skilled chiropractors utilize gentle spinal manipulation techniques designed to relieve pressure on compressed nerves and restore proper spinal alignment. Through carefully applied adjustments and mobilization techniques, chiropractic care helps reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and promote healing of damaged tissues. This non-invasive approach often provides significant pain relief while supporting your body’s natural healing processes.

Physical Therapy

Working with our physical therapist, patients learn specific exercises and movement patterns designed to strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility. Our customized therapy programs focus on proper body mechanics and posture to ensure the body properly supports the spine during daily activities. As pain improves through consistent therapy, patients often experience increased function and reduced risk of future injury.

Other Treatments

Advanced Wellness offers a comprehensive range of additional treatment options to address your specific needs. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as specialized approaches tailored to specific symptoms you may be experiencing. Our multidisciplinary approach incorporates orthopedic care when surgical consultation is needed, cutting-edge regenerative medicine techniques to accelerate healing, traditional acupuncture for pain management, and innovative shockwave therapy to stimulate tissue repair and reduce chronic pain.

Conclusion

Lower back pain remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. The severity of pain depends on the underlying cause, lifestyle habits, and individual health status. The good news is that most cases can be effectively managed with proper treatment and care.
In our clinical practice, we employ a range of evidence-based techniques to help patients recover and resume their daily routines. Simple measures, such as using a rolled towel for lumbar support, combined with professional treatment, can make a significant difference in your recovery journey. Remember that other injuries or complications can arise if back pain is left untreated, so seeking appropriate medical care is essential.
With the right combination of treatments and lifestyle modifications, most people can successfully manage their lower back pain and return to normal activity levels, improving their overall quality of life.
Advanced Wellness Is a Top Destination for Achieving Your Health Goals
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By Dr. Cilea
July 9, 2025
3 Locations in New Jersey

New Patients: 317-743-3327

Marlboro
Freehold
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Gary Yen, MD

MCMSc, PA-C, AT

Dr. Gary L. Yen is Board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has a sub-specialty in Pain Medicine. Dr. Yen grew up in Long Island, NY and received his medical degree from Ross University. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY and performed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stony Brook University, where he was chief resident.

Dr. Yen completed a pain management fellowship at RehabNY in Buffalo, NY, during which he served as the assistant athletic trainer to the Buffalo Bison, the Minor League AAA baseball team for the Cleveland Indians, as well as the Niagara University men’s and women’s collegiate hockey team.

The former chairman of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Division of the Pain Management Department at CentraState Medical Center, Dr. Yen specializes in the non-operative treatment of a variety of joint, muscular, nerve, skeletal, spine and sports related injuries. He treats acute and chronic pain syndromes and performs electrodiagnostic studies. Dr. Yen also performs variety of interventional pain procedures and minimally invasive spine surgery for the relief of pain. He utilizes conservative treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture in conjunction with other procedures to enhance long term benefits. Dr. Yen believes in working with patients to create individual treatment plans.

When not attending to his patients, Dr. Yen likes to play golf, cook, and has a passion for playing the saxophone and piano. He is the proud father of two boys.

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