• Published on: Aug 06, 2021
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Orthopedic Surgeon

Causes Of Chronic Lower Back Pain

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Causes of Chronic Lower Back Pain

The causes of lower back pain are incredibly varied. Disc problems, spinal curvature issues, and muscle strain can all cause a person to experience discomfort in their lower spine region. However, sometimes the problem is not where it seems as some injuries that occur elsewhere on your body will still manifest themselves through symptoms such as numbness or tingling down one side of the leg which could be related to an injury experienced at work while bending over or lifting something heavy with an improper technique for example. Sometimes you may even have absolutely no idea what caused your condition but if left untreated it might lead to chronic conditions like arthritis so check yourself often!

Facet joints are small bones that surround the spinal discs. There's one on each side of your spine, and they're responsible for keeping you upright while supporting a lot of weight! Sometimes these little guys can get jammed up with arthritis or inflammation in their ligaments around the joint, which means it'll start hurting to stand upright for long periods of a time.

Sacroiliac joints are a strong and low-motion joint that connects the sacrum at the bottom of your spine to each side of your pelvis. The function is primarily absorption due to its shock-absorbing nature, but it can also become painful if there's too much or not enough motion in this area depending on what causes inflammation (sacroilitis)

When the sacroiliac joint is inflamed, it can become painful. Sacral dysfunction usually occurs when there's too much or too little motion of this strong and low-motion joint that connects our spine to each side of our pelvis. The sacrum absorbs shock and tension between the upper body and lower body while also providing stability for walking upright on two feet - without a sense os balance provided by an active SIJ (sacroiliac joints).

The ills that cause inflammation in your SIJ might be due to overuse, injury or other trauma; lack proper alignment during pregnancy; hormonal fluctuation from menstruation cycles associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy treatments such as birth control pills

Spinal stenosis is when the spinal canal has narrowed, and this causes pain. Pain can be caused by central narrowing of the spine or forminal narrowing in any area of your lower back- as well as at different levels on either side where it occurs multiple times.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition that occurs when one vertebra slips over the adjacent one. It can be caused by a defect or fracture of the pars (between facet joints) or mechanical instability of these facets (degenerative). The pain may come from back and leg pains due to either compression on nerves in your legs, which would cause you to feel discomfort while sitting still for long periods at time as well as spasms during walking, numbness between your buttocks cheeks; paresthesia-tingling sensation where there should not be any feeling such weakness behind knee knees because it's nerve impingement; tight hamstrings restricting movement in lower extremities causing buttock pain.

Spinal osteoarthritis is a condition that results from the wear and tear of your discs which can cause inflammation, instability, and stenosis. The pain associated with this disease may be high or low intensity at any given time. As you age spinal osteoarthritis will slowly progress until it takes over every facet joint in your spine resulting in more intense symptoms like stiffness, numbness, weakness on one side of the body due to nerve compression as well as chronic backache.

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases and can affect people at any age. It's an autoimmune disease, which means that it causes your body to attack itself instead of a virus or bacteria like other infections do. Symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis include redness in joints, swelling around them, pain when you move certain parts of your body, stiffness in some places where muscles are contracted too tightly against each other (called fixed points), fatigue from low activity levels due to increased discomfort while moving about after long periods without movement - these symptoms come on more gradually than they would with osteoarthritis and typically last longer as well since there isn't much inflammation-relieving rest involved during treatment.

The deformity is something that we all live with in some capacity. Depending on the severity, it could be a blessing or an inconvenience to our everyday life. Lower back pain can result when someone's spine curves out of shape and causes pressure between vertebrae and other structures such as discs, facet joints, sacroiliac joints or stenosis which impairs mobility.

The deformity may seem like a curse but for those living with scoliosis or kyphosis there are ways to manage their deformities without interfering too much into daily affairs; one example would be using braces while sleeping at night so they don't have any more issues during waking hours because often times stiffness will persist after 8-10 hours.

It is not uncommon for people to struggle with painful curvature of the spine. Scoliosis and kyphosis are just two examples that can be associated with back pain, but there may also exist other types of deformity in your spine which you're unaware of until they become symptomatic. In any case, a consultation from an orthopedic surgeon would provide insight into what treatment plan will work best for you!

Curvatures in one's spinal column can lead down various paths- some more serious than others like scoliosis or kyphosis- all depending on how severe it becomes as time progresses. The deformities themselves could potentially cause lower back pain if enough pressure builds up over years where discs break down along facet joints.

Trauma is generally a very serious injury, which can cause extreme pain and other physical complications. The first step to treatment for trauma injuries should always be seeking medical help as soon as possible if you are suffering from back or neck problems that developed after an accident of some kind.

Due to weak bones, compression fractures are common in older people and can sometimes happen suddenly with intense pain.

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Inflammation

How Inflammation Affects Overall Health: Understanding the Hidden Risks

Inflammation is often misunderstood. While it is a vital protective response of the immune system, persistent or chronic inflammation can quietly damage tissues and increase the risk of serious diseases. Understanding how inflammation affects overall health is crucial in preventing long-term complications and maintaining optimal wellbeing.

According to the World Health Organization and global medical research published in Lancet, chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders.

 

What Is Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to:

  • infection

  • injury

  • toxins

  • stress

It activates immune cells to eliminate harmful stimuli and promote healing.

There are two main types:

Acute Inflammation

Short-term and protective.
Examples include swelling after injury or fever during infection.

Chronic Inflammation

Long-term, low-grade inflammation that persists even without injury.

Chronic inflammation is harmful.

 

How Chronic Inflammation Develops

Persistent inflammation can result from:

  • unhealthy diet

  • sedentary lifestyle

  • obesity

  • chronic stress

  • environmental toxins

  • untreated infections

Modern lifestyle patterns contribute significantly to this condition.

 

Impact on Heart Health

Inflammation damages blood vessels and promotes plaque formation.

This increases risk of:

  • heart attack

  • stroke

  • hypertension

ICMR data highlights cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death in India, with inflammation playing a contributing role.

 

Link Between Inflammation and Diabetes

Chronic inflammation interferes with insulin signalling.

This leads to:

  • insulin resistance

  • elevated blood sugar

  • metabolic syndrome

NFHS-5 data shows rising diabetes prevalence, partly linked to inflammatory lifestyle factors.

 

Effect on Joint and Muscle Health

Inflammatory processes contribute to:

  • arthritis

  • joint stiffness

  • muscle pain

Autoimmune diseases often involve chronic inflammation.

 

Gut Health and Inflammation

The gut plays a central role in immune regulation.

Poor diet and stress disrupt gut balance, triggering:

  • inflammatory bowel conditions

  • digestive discomfort

  • nutrient malabsorption

Gut inflammation impacts systemic health.

 

Brain Health and Inflammation

Emerging research suggests chronic inflammation affects:

  • memory

  • mood

  • cognitive performance

Inflammatory markers are associated with depression and neurodegenerative disorders.

 

Chronic Fatigue and Inflammatory Stress

Persistent inflammation causes:

  • ongoing fatigue

  • reduced stamina

  • sleep disturbances

The immune system remains in constant activation mode.

 

Role in Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

Chronic inflammation is central to conditions such as:

  • rheumatoid arthritis

  • lupus

  • inflammatory bowel disease

 

Signs of Chronic Inflammation

Symptoms may include:

  • unexplained fatigue

  • persistent joint pain

  • digestive issues

  • frequent infections

  • skin problems

Early detection is important.

 

Lifestyle Factors That Increase Inflammation

High Sugar Intake

Excess sugar promotes inflammatory pathways.

 

Processed Foods

Trans fats and additives trigger immune responses.

 

Sedentary Lifestyle

Lack of exercise reduces anti-inflammatory benefits.

 

Poor Sleep

Sleep deprivation increases inflammatory markers.

 

Chronic Stress

Elevated cortisol disrupts immune balance.

 

Natural Ways to Reduce Inflammation

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Include:

  • leafy greens

  • fruits rich in antioxidants

  • nuts and seeds

  • whole grains

Avoid excessive processed foods.

 

Regular Physical Activity

Exercise lowers inflammatory markers and improves circulation.

 

Stress Management

Meditation and breathing exercises reduce stress hormones.

 

Adequate Sleep

7–8 hours of quality sleep supports immune regulation.

 

Maintain Healthy Weight

Excess abdominal fat produces inflammatory chemicals.

 

Role of Preventive Health Screening

Regular tests such as:

  • blood sugar

  • lipid profile

  • inflammatory markers

help monitor risk factors early.

 

Importance of Early Intervention

Unchecked inflammation increases risk of:

  • cardiovascular disease

  • metabolic disorders

  • organ damage

Timely lifestyle changes reverse early inflammatory effects.

 

Long-Term Health Benefits of Inflammation Control

Reducing inflammation supports:

  • heart health

  • stable blood sugar

  • improved immunity

  • enhanced cognitive function

  • reduced pain

Preventive strategies protect long-term wellbeing.

 

Conclusion

Understanding how inflammation affects overall health reveals its profound impact on the heart, brain, gut and metabolic systems. While acute inflammation protects the body, chronic inflammation silently contributes to major diseases. Fortunately, lifestyle changes such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep and stress management significantly reduce inflammatory burden. Prevention and early monitoring remain the most effective tools for protecting overall health and ensuring long-term vitality.

 

References

  • World Health Organization (WHO) – Chronic Disease and Inflammation Reports

  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health Studies

  • National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Diabetes and Hypertension Data

  • NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare Strategy Reports

  • Lancet – Inflammation and Chronic Disease Research

See all

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