Some people always suffer from lower back pain when walking. However, most of them are often not aware of what is causing such pain. Back pains may be quite uncomfortable because they involve the lumbar region of the spine. This region has a fine interconnection of muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels that make it function appropriately. When there is any damage caused to this area, the body responds by initiating an inflammatory response, which can manifest as lower back pain when walking. But what can cause such damage? Read on and find out.

Cause of Lower Back Pain

There are several factors that can make you experience lower back pain. Some can be acute causes, while others can be chronic causes. Here are some of the common causes of lower back pain:

1. Maintaining a Bad Posture for Too Long

Some people have a habit of maintaining poor body posture irrespective of what they do, whether they are sleeping, sitting, standing, walking, or running.

The upper part of the body is heavier than the lower part. Therefore, the lumbar spine and the lower back support the entire weight of the upper body before distributing it to the legs. When you maintain a bad posture, you strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your lower back, causing pain.

2. Poor Hip Mobility

A common cause of poor hip mobility is sacroiliac joint dysfunction. This condition happens when the movable joint that allows the hip to move in a-three-plane motion is fixed. Immobility and lack of exercise can also cause poor hip motility. Over time, this joint may be irritated and get inflamed, causing pain. The inflammation can also damage nearby nerves and cause pain to radiate in the lower back.

3. Osteoarthritis

This condition occurs when the discs forming the spinal column are worn or torn. It can cause stenosis, inflammation, and instability due to misalignment of the spine. A common symptom of osteoarthritis is extreme lower back pain when walking and is due to the inflammatory response to the condition.

4. Walking for Too Long

You can also experience lower back pain from walking several miles without taking enough rest. Walking is a good exercise, but it should not be done excessively. Lower back pain caused by walking is acute and diminishes after some time.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Back Pain

Patient history is very important when making a diagnosis for lower back pain. Information about sleeping habits, posture, and current symptoms are very useful to your doctor. You should also mention previous incidences of trauma or injuries to the lower back. Your doctor will do a physical exam by palpating your back for any swelling and perform a joint range of motion test and reflex tests to assess the workability of your muscles and nerves. If the doctor is not convinced about the findings, he/she will order for an x-ray, MRI, or a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the severity of the conditions, the following treatment options may be undertaken.

1. Improving Your Posture

Back pain caused by posture is acute and can be easily reversed if you change your posture. Practice walking with your back straight and your hips balanced. - Do not lean on one side of the body when carrying a heavy load. Instead, balance the load in both hands to ensure that your body is always upright. - Keep your hips levelled in relation to your knees and legs, with your back straight so that you don't experience lower back pain while walking.

2. Performing a Supine Hip Flexor Stretch

Muscle stretches and hip exercises will help improve your hip mobility. Supine hip stretch keeps your hip muscles in tone. It also makes your joints flexible and movable. Continuous and useful supine hip flexor stretch is the antidote for lower back pain caused by poor hip mobility.

3. Performing a Deep Squat Rest Exercise

Standing for too long can cause uncomfortable back pain. Performing a deep squat rest exercise will help balance your disc pressure, relieve hip tightness, and enhance mobility. It also strengthens your abdominal muscles, helping in preserving the normal spinal disc pressure.

Final Thoughts

Lower back pain may be common, but management is successful when the appropriate method is used. Consult your doctor if your back pain is persistent and unbearable. You can also find insight from videos, such as: