Back Pain When Bending
If your back hurts when you bend over, you should assess the severity of the pain. If you’re experiencing minor pain, it may be due to a muscle spasm or strain. If you’re experiencing serious pain, you may be suffering from a herniated disc or other back injury.
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Why does my back hurt when bending?
Why Does My Back Hurt When I Bend Over? – Many people notice worse back pain symptoms during certain activities or movements, such as bending forward. Bending your spine shifts your center of gravity, which changes how the load is dispersed through your body.
“If you have pain when bending forward, that doesn’t mean it’s worse than any other position,” says Maureen Lu, PT, DPT, a physical therapist at Hinge Health. “Any direction you bend changes how the load is dispersed through your body. It’s just that we tend to bend forward more than we bend in other directions, which is why people notice pain with that movement more.” Normally, changing how the load is distributed through your spine doesn’t matter.
“Our spines are strong, flexible, and resilient. They’re built to bend in a lot of different directions,” says Dr. Lu. But if you have certain issues with your back, that combination of factors can cause you to notice symptoms. The following are some common conditions that may contribute to lower back pain when bending over:
- Muscle spasms, Muscle spasms are an involuntary and sudden tightness or pain in your muscles. They can occur anywhere in your body, including your lower or upper back, They’re often related to dehydration, stress, muscle fatigue, or a sudden increase in activity. They’re also very common and can affect anyone. “A lot of times, the pain or discomfort people feel when they bend over boils down to muscle spasms,” says Dr. Lu.
- Muscle tension, Tightness in areas in and around the spine, such as the hips, can contribute to back pain when bending over, says Dr. Lu. (Read more about the connection between hip and back pain,)
- Herniated disc, Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae (bones) stacked on top of one another. They are separated by strong, fibrous discs that are about a half-inch thick that act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. A disc herniates when its center pushes against or through the outer ring, causing pressure that can, at times, cause back or leg pain. It’s worth noting that discs are designed to bulge so we can move. A herniated disc is only a problem if it catches a nerve root and causes symptoms.
- Sciatica, The sciatic nerve runs from the low back down the legs. If it gets pinched or irritated, it can cause shooting pain that travels down the buttocks and into one or both legs.
- Spondylolisthesis, This occurs when a vertebra shifts out of its normal position. If there is an excessive motion of the vertebra or if the vertebra puts pressure on a nerve, it may contribute to symptoms.
- Arthritis, Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis, characterized by changes in the shock-absorbing cartilage between bones. Sometimes, these changes don’t cause any symptoms, but they can contribute to symptoms such as pain and stiffness that tend to worsen after activity. Other types of arthritis affect the back, too, such as spondyloarthropathies — chronic inflammatory diseases that can affect the spine and pelvis.
Some causes of back pain can sound scary, but they are usually not serious and can be treated at home with gentle movement and treatments like ice and heat and NSAID medication.
Why does my back hurt when I bend it and straighten it?
Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi – The motion of bending forward is incredibly common. You probably bend over more than you realize to pick something up or set something down. Because this is such a regular task, back pain in this area can be a big obstacle that impedes on a person’s daily life.
Bulging Disc & Pinched Nerves. Spinal Arthritis,, Stenosis of the Spine.
All of these factors can lead to pain in the cervical or lumbar region of the spine.
Why does my lower back hurt when I bend over?
If your back hurts when you bend over, you should assess the severity of the pain. If you’re experiencing minor pain, it may be due to a muscle spasm or strain. If you’re experiencing serious pain, you may be suffering from a herniated disc or other back injury.
Why my back hurts when I fix my posture?
Identifying a posture in need of correcting – If you’ve identified that you’re suffering with poor posture, or you notice your posture slipping throughout the day – it may seem like an easy step to have someone assess your posture from a passive standpoint.
This means you might have someone take a look at you while standing neutrally to identify if you’re leaning forward, if your shoulders are hunched or slouching forward, or if your pelvis is leaning too far back or in front. These may seem like helpful recommendations, but identifying how you stand versus actually getting a spinal assessment from a professional looking at the position of your spine – are two very different things.
Passive examinations really aren’t specific enough to enable you to make effective and accurate changes that can affect the position of your spine, unless your problem is in the very early stages. Most of the time it’s very common to not act on a problem unless we’re starting to experience pain in an area, until it becomes an inconvenience.
- In this case, the problem could have existed for a number of months or even years, and in this situation you may have altered the actual position or alignment of your spine that could have detrimental effects on the health of your spine.
- The role of imaging in posture correction A professional and in-depth examination of the spine usually involves x-ray imaging, done standing up so that we can analyse the true position of your spine.
X-ray imaging allows for an accurate observation to be made on what needs to be done structurally to change the spine, and can actually allow us to visually quantify the angles of your spine and compare them to that of a healthy spine. In our experience from using x-ray analysis in resolving back complaints and postural issues, this approach allows for much more accurate judgements to be made and can help you to achieve a healthier spine.
From time to time, we come across patients who have seen professionals before about their posture, but haven’t been able to see noticeable changes. In certain cases, a patient may have been told they’re suffering from a certain complaint when in fact after x-ray imaging has been used to analyse the spine, this diagnosis could be incorrect because it has been based on an inaccurate observation.
Although an incorrect diagnosis may not seem like a big deal if you’re seeking a second opinion, you probably wouldn’t have sought a second opinion if a previous professional opinion had worked for your condition, acting on an incorrect diagnosis can have ramifications on the health of your spine in the long-term. If you are suffering from bad posture, the importance of seeking the help of a professional who is going to use factual observations to find a solution, should not be understated. If you’re serious about solving a postural issue, especially if it’s starting to cause you pain in the lower back, upper back or cause side-effects such as muscle tightness or headaches, it’s much better in the long-term to find a professional who has extensive experience in dealing with postural issues.
Not only could this save you a lot of money in the long-run by seeking the help of a professional and someone you have faith in from day one, they will be able to recommend a step-by-step programme of treatment that targets any pain you’re currently experiencing, and can offer you an effective rehabilitation programme to solve the problem and strengthen your spine.
At The Mayfair Clinic, we offer an extensive examination process involving a range of orthopaedic testing, followed by x-ray imaging if we deem it clinically necessary. By performing measurements before, and after undergoing an extensive rehabilitation programme you’re more likely to achieve positive changes and see the difference before and after.
Is walking good for a strained back?
Low back pain: Why movement is so important for back pain Created: February 9, 2012 ; Last Update: February 14, 2019 ; Next update: 2022. One of the most important things that people with low back pain can do is to stay as physically active as possible in daily life and exercise regularly.
- Things that have been proven to help include exercises to strengthen the core muscles, as well as certain exercises used in pilates, tai chi and yoga.
- Not moving enough can weaken your core muscles, make the pain worse over the long term, and also lead to other health problems.
- Because of this, people who have back pain are often advised to get “more exercise” and “stay active.” There are good reasons for this advice: For a start, regular physical exercise has been shown to reduce pain.
What’s more, it’s a good idea to go about your daily life as normally as possible, and not to let the pain limit your activities too much. Isolating yourself or no longer doing things you enjoy will make it even harder to cope with back pain. More than 100 studies have looked into various types of exercise.
So this is by far one of the best studied treatment approaches. Exercise and sports are also among the few treatments that have been proven to relieve back pain. This is the reason why most medical societies around the world recommend regular exercise for people with back pain. Although exercise programs don’t always make back pain go away completely, they often relieve the pain and improve your overall fitness and mobility.
Research has also found that doing regular exercise can reduce the frequency of recurring back pain attacks by almost half. It is often hard to stay active if you are in pain. Some people are even scared of moving too much. They might be worried that the pain is a sign of a back injury.
But that isn’t the case when it comes to non-specific back pain, which is usually caused by many different factors. These include weak or tense core muscles, inappropriate physical strain, a problem with the processing of pain in the brain, as well as stress and other types of emotional strain. It’s important to remember that if the doctor has ruled out (rare) serious causes of the symptoms, there is no need to be afraid of movement.
Types of exercise that have proven effective include the following:
Special programs consisting of exercises to strengthen and stabilize the deep abdominal (tummy), back and pelvic muscles, as well as endurance training and exercises to stretch the muscles in the calves, hips and thighs. Pilates : A total body workout in which strengthening the deep core muscles is key. Tai chi : Originally an Asian martial art, tai chi is now practiced with slow, flowing movements. It can improve your balance and coordination skills, strengthen your muscles, and is said to help you relax your body and mind. Yoga : An ancient Indian practice that aims to improve your body awareness and health. Yoga typically involves getting into various positions or carrying out certain sequences of movements that aim to promote strength and flexibility, body awareness and a good posture. Going on walks : Initial research suggests that going on a walk or brisk walking (Nordic walking) can help relieve back pain if done regularly – for instance, every two days for 30 to 60 minutes.
A doctor or physiotherapist can help you to find a suitable type of exercise that is tailored to your situation and that you enjoy. People who have medical problems often find it helpful to have a course instructor or trainer with the appropriate experience.
You may need patience to start off with: It can take several weeks for the exercise to have an effect. Your body also needs to get used to the extra movement. That can be tiring and lead to harmless muscle ache, and it sometimes makes the pain worse for a while. In order for it to help in the long run too, you have to stick to your exercise program.
This requires a lot of motivation, and many people find it tough after a while – particularly if they have a very busy job or home life. It is then important to find a way to fit the exercise into your daily routine. Many people find it easier to exercise regularly if they sign up for a class or exercise together with friends.
Some make sure they pack their sports bag before going to work, or increase their motivation by rewarding themselves with a treat afterwards. It is also a good idea to have check-ups with a physiotherapist or doctor to adjust the exercise program if necessary. If you spend a lot of time sitting in an office, you can be kind to your back by taking regular breaks and moving your body – for instance, by getting up out of your chair, stretching, doing short exercises and going on a walk in your lunch break.
Some people find it helpful to wear a fitness tracker watch, or to set reminders on their mobile phone or computer. Other ways to get more exercise into your daily routine include the following:
Not using escalators or elevators (lifts), and always taking the stairs instead. Regularly getting off one stop before your actual bus or tram stop, and walking the rest of the way. Trying to walk or cycle as much as possible. Getting up and walking around while you’re talking on your mobile or cordless phone.
Patient education classes provide you with facts and techniques to help prevent or relieve back pain. There is usually both a theoretical and practical part. The classes typically include modules on the anatomy of the spine and the back, advice on postures and movements that don’t put harmful strain on the back, and back-strengthening exercises.
- These courses are often offered at gyms and physiotherapy practices.
- Patient education classes haven’t yet been scientifically proven to help people with chronic low back pain.
- Some studies found that they helped a bit, while others did not.
- There are a lot of different patient education classes, sometimes differing greatly in terms of what they cover and the approaches they use.
This might explain why the results of the studies varied so much.
What is the fastest way to fix a back strain?
How is lumbar strain treated? – Specific treatment for a lumbar strain will be discussed with you by your healthcare provider based on:
Your age, overall health, and medical history Extent of the injury Your tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, and therapies Expectation for the course of the injury Your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
Rest Ice packs and/or heat and compression applied to the back Exercises (to strengthen the abdominal muscles) Stretching and strengthening exercises (for the lower back as it heals) Education regarding the use and wearing of appropriate protective equipment
Medicines, such as anti-inflammatories and spinal injections, may also be used to relieve pain and inflammation.
Is bending over good for the back pain?
Lower Back Pain When Bending Over – We often hear that bending our back is dangerous and should be avoided. And that keeping your back straight is a good way to steer clear of back pain. This simply isn’t true. Bending is great for your back but often we do it in a way that causes pain.
- We then assume it’s the bending that’s bad and not the way we’ve been encouraged do it.
- This is like driving your car with the handbrake on and when your car complains you blame the car as faulty.
- The car’s not faulty, you’re just using it incorrectly.
- We’ve developed a fear of pain and a belief it indicates damage so should be avoided.
We then protect our spines for fear that further pain will result in further damage. Pain and damage are not the same. Sometimes headaches can be really unpleasant. The cause is often dehydration or tiredness but not damage. Many of the commonly practised methods of back care cause the problems we’re trying to avoid.