Lower back pain is a widespread complaint. It can be mild or severe, acute or chronic, and a result of many various causes. Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to prevent or manage back pain, but if you experience back pain when walking, it is challenging to get enough exercise.
These are some common causes of lower back pain while walking and standing. This is a highly treatable issue. If you continue to experience pain that limits your activity and mobility, it is time to see an orthopedic back, neck, and spine specialist at EmergeOrtho-Foothills Region.
Common Causes of Lower Back Pain While Walking
1. Muscle Fatigue
Muscle fatigue is among the most common causes of lower back pain when walking. Your lower back and core muscles are crucial in keeping your body upright. Over time, these muscles can become tired, leading to soreness. Weaker core muscles tend to fatigue faster, resulting in an earlier onset of pain.
Solution:
Incorporate core-strengthening exercises into your routine to build muscle endurance. Rest or reduce your walking distance to allow your muscles to recover.
2. Excessive Lordosis
Lordosis refers to the natural inward curve of the lower spine. However, an excessive curvature, known as swayback, can lead to discomfort and pain when standing or walking for extended periods. Common causes include pregnancy, obesity, and osteoporosis.
Solution:
Strengthen your core muscles and improve posture through physical therapy and targeted exercises. Weight loss can also help alleviate symptoms for individuals with obesity.
3. Pulled Muscles, Sprains, and Strains
Minor injuries such as pulled muscles or connective tissue strains in the lower back or legs are another potential cause of lower back pain when walking. Overexertion is often the culprit.
Solution:
Rest, combined with heat or cold therapy, can accelerate healing. Over-the-counter pain medications may also provide temporary relief.
4. Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs when the space surrounding the spinal cord narrows, compressing the spinal cord and nearby nerves. This can cause lower back pain and leg pain, especially after walking or standing.
Solution:
Treatment options include pain medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections. In severe cases, surgery may be required to create more space in the spinal canal.
5. Sciatica
Sciatica is pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the legs. This condition often causes shooting pain in the lower back and legs, which walking can aggravate.
Solution:
Physical therapy, medications, and injections are common treatments. Surgery is rarely needed but may be considered for severe cases.
6. Degenerative Disc Disease
The cushioning discs between vertebrae can wear down with age, leading to pain and stiffness. Factors like obesity, smoking, and traumatic injuries can accelerate disc degeneration.
Solution:
Conservative treatments such as physical therapy, stretching, and pain management medications are often effective. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases to alleviate bone pressure.
Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain When Walking
If you experience lower back pain when walking, a combination of treatments can provide relief:
- Physical Therapy: Focused exercises to strengthen core and back muscles, improve posture, and enhance mobility.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications for inflammation and pain management.
- Steroid Injections: Targeted injections to reduce inflammation and nerve pain.
- Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, posture correction, and ergonomic adjustments to reduce strain on the lower back.
- Surgery: Reserved for severe cases where conservative treatments fail to provide relief.
Exercises and Stretches To Relieve Lower Back Pain
Incorporating these exercises and stretches into your daily routine can alleviate lower back pain:
- Pelvic Tilts: Lie on your back with knees bent, then flatten your back against the floor by tightening your abdominal muscles. Hold for a few seconds and release.
- Child’s Pose: Kneel on the floor, stretch your arms forward, and lower your torso to the ground to stretch your lower back.
- Hamstring Stretches: Sit on the floor with one leg extended and the other bent. Lean forward gently to stretch the hamstring of the extended leg.
- Bridges: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips while squeezing your glutes and hold for a few seconds.
- Cat-Cow Stretch: To increase flexibility, alternate between arching and rounding your back on your hands and knees.
When To See a Specialist
If lower back pain persists or worsens despite rest and self-care measures, it is time to consult an orthopedic specialist. Signs that warrant immediate attention include:
- Pain that limits mobility and daily activities.
- Pain accompanied by numbness or tingling in the legs.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control.
An orthopedic spine and back specialist at EmergeOrtho-Foothills Region can evaluate your symptoms, identify the underlying cause, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Contact us today and schedule an appointment online to get started.
