Introduction
A common problem that women often encounter is lower back pain. What are the causes of this problem? Let’s take a look. The causes of lower back pain in women are diverse, ranging from daily habits to physiological factors. Although the symptoms may come and go, if left untreated for a long time, they can affect your health and your life. In this article, we will take you to learn about the causes of lower back pain that women often encounter and how to prevent it. Let’s take a look!
list of contents
Introduction
Lower back pain in women, causes of frequent lower back pain in women, when to see a doctor, how to treat lower back pain yourself, how to live your life to prevent frequent lower back pain, diseases that are common when having lower back pain
End of article
Lower back pain in women
Lower back pain is a common problem in women. It is often felt as a tight pain in the waist down to the hips. Sometimes, there may be pain radiating down the legs. The pain often worsens when staying in the same position for a long time, such as sitting for several hours at work, or when lifting heavy objects or doing activities that use the back a lot. Women with these symptoms may find it difficult to live their daily lives, have trouble sleeping, or feel irritated easily. Lower back pain can be acute, subacute, or chronic, depending on the duration of the symptoms. Each type requires different treatment. Initially, understanding the symptoms and duration of the pain will help us find the right way to relieve the symptoms.
Reasons why women experience frequent lower back pain
Lower back pain is a problem that women face more often than men. It is caused by a variety of physical and behavioral factors, from different body structures to hormonal changes and daily lifestyles. Let's understand the causes so that you can take care of yourself and see how you can make changes in your life.
Let's take a look at some of the things that cause us to have frequent lower back pain.
Body Structure
Women have thinner back muscles than men, which means they can bear less weight. In addition, monthly hormonal changes affect the flexibility of muscles and tendons.
Pregnancy
The weight gain and hormonal changes during pregnancy put extra strain on your back, making it easier to experience back pain.
period
What happens very often is during menstruation, when hormones in the body fluctuate, causing muscles and tendons to become weak, which can cause back pain.
high-heels
Wearing high heels frequently causes an unnatural walking posture, forcing the back muscles to work harder to maintain balance, which can lead to pain.
Inappropriate behavior
Sitting or standing in an incorrect posture for a long time, such as looking down at your phone or hunching over, can cause your back muscles to malfunction and cause pain.
Heavy shoulder bag
Another thing you might not think about is that using a heavy backpack, carrying a lot of stuff every day, or lifting heavy things frequently puts too much strain on your back muscles, which can also cause lower back pain.
When should you see a doctor?
But when abnormal symptoms occur, knowing how to observe the symptoms and deciding to see a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner will prevent the symptoms from becoming more severe or chronic or prevent possible complications.
The pain is getting worse.
Pain that continues to get worse could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a tumor or infection. See your doctor to determine the underlying cause.
Chronic pain lasting more than 3 months
If the pain does not go away for more than 3 months, it is considered chronic pain. It may be caused by osteoarthritis or a problem with the nervous system. A detailed diagnosis is also required.
The pain is too severe to live a normal life.
When pain affects your daily life and prevents you from performing your normal activities, you should consult your doctor to find ways to relieve your symptoms and treat the underlying cause.
Pain radiating down the leg
Pain that radiates down the leg may be a symptom of a herniated disc or a pinched nerve.
There is also numbness or weakness.
Numbness or weakness that occurs with pain may indicate a neurological problem and should be diagnosed and treated.
Have symptoms of leg weakness
Weakness in the legs can be caused by problems with the spine or nerves, which can affect movement and balance.
Pain with fever
Pain that occurs with fever can be a sign of an infection in the body, which can spread and become dangerous if not treated promptly.
Unable to sit, stand, or walk
When the pain is so severe that you cannot sit, stand or walk normally, it means that the symptoms are seriously affecting your life. You should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Pain does not improve after self-treatment
If self-treatment does not improve symptoms or worsens, consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
How to relieve lower back pain yourself
- Apply hot or cold compresses to the painful area.
- Lie flat on your back on the floor to stretch your back muscles.
- Do a cross-legged yoga pose and twist your waist to increase flexibility in your back muscles.
- Massage the painful area to increase blood flow.
- Keep your weight within normal limits.
- Adjust your sitting and standing posture correctly.
- Exercises to strengthen your back muscles
- Avoid lifting heavy objects or overdoing your work.
How to live your life to prevent frequent lower back pain
Preventing lower back pain is something that can be done in daily life. Start by adjusting your posture correctly. Whether sitting, standing or lifting things, you should sit with your back straight in a chair that supports your back well and get up and walk around regularly. Stand with your weight distributed equally to both feet. When lifting things, bend your knees and hips instead of bending your back. Sleep on a mattress that is not too soft or too hard and use a pillow under your knees to help reduce pressure on your back. Regular exercise is very helpful, especially exercising your back muscles and core, stretching your back muscles and the back of your thighs, and doing light exercises like walking or swimming. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding wearing high heels often can also reduce the risk of back pain. Doing this regularly will help strengthen your back and reduce the chances of lower back pain.
Common diseases when experiencing lower back pain
Acute Back Strain
- This disease is the most common cause of lower back pain. It is often caused by overuse of the back muscles or acute injury, causing inflammation of the back muscles and pain. Patients will have back pain but it does not radiate down the legs. The back muscles will be stiff and tense, causing the normal curve of the back to disappear. When pressing on the muscles around the spine, it will feel painful. Usually, the symptoms will improve on their own within 1-2 weeks, causing most patients not to see a doctor.
Lumbar Disc Herniation
- This disease usually occurs in patients under 50 years of age and often occurs acutely after lifting heavy objects or twisting in an incorrect position. When a herniated disc ruptures and moves to press on a nerve, the patient will experience pain radiating down the leg, along with numbness and weakness of the muscles. The pain is often severe and significantly affects daily life. Patients may experience worse pain when coughing, sneezing or straining.
Spinal Stenosis
- This disease is common in the elderly. It is caused by the degeneration of the spine and joints, which causes the nerve channels to narrow. Patients will have back pain radiating down the legs, along with numbness or weakness in the calves when walking a long distance. However, the symptoms will improve when they sit and rest for only a few minutes. The characteristic of this disease is that the symptoms are gradual. In some cases, it may take a year for the symptoms to become clear. Patients usually feel more comfortable when sitting or bending forward because this position helps widen the nerve channels.
End of article
The author believes that when we understand our own bodies more, we will find ways to solve problems that occur with our bodies. From all the content, it can be seen that most lower back pain problems come from our lifestyles. And of course, the author believes that everyone has the potential to overcome this pain. I would like to give encouragement to everyone who is experiencing pain. I would like to say that every problem has a solution. Let's gradually observe ourselves and see what kind of life affects lower back pain. Then gradually solve the problems. May everyone be free from pain!!
