Do you ever feel like your back hurts so much that it is a huge accomplishment to just get out of bed or get off of the couch? And harder, necessary activities like driving to work, weeding the garden, or playing with your kids make you feel like you might not ever be able to move again. Well, we’ve put together some information about lower back pain and a simple solution to relieve the pain so that you can know when you need to go to the doctor for your lower back pain and when simple exercises might do the trick. 

Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is pain that comes from the lumbar spine. In this area of the back, if you feel sharp pain, general discomfort, stiffness, radiating pain, or tingling and numbness, these are all considered lower back pain. 

You should see a doctor immediately if your lower back pain causes you any of these symptoms: any problem balancing or walking, incontinence, weakness, numbness, tingling that radiates throughout the body, difficulty breathing, fever or chills, or a severe headache. You should also see a doctor if your lower back pain has lasted longer than a few weeks or stops you from performing simple daily tasks. If you have trouble sleeping because of back pain, taking a trip to the doctor is a good idea, because they can help diagnose and treat the issue so you can feel better.

Causes of Lower Back Pain

• Muscle strain. The lower back supports the weight of the entire upper body and is also responsible for flexing and rotating the hips when moving the legs. If the lower back muscles or ligaments are pulled or strained, it can cause lower back pain. Activities that are likely to cause lower back strain include lifting heavy objects incorrectly, sudden movements with too much stress to the lower back, poor posture, or injuries.
• Poor posture. Sitting for long periods of time with poor posture can cause muscles to weaken and stop supporting your spine. Poor posture causes more pressure on the spine. It takes time to train your muscles to support your spine once more. Both having poor posture and trying to fix it can cause some lower back pain. Focus on practicing correct posture to get rid of your back pain.
• Lifting heavy objects wrong. Lifting or holding heavy objects incorrectly can cause stress on the muscles in your lower back. When lifting, keep your knees bent and maintain the natural curvature of your spine. Don’t twist while lifting. 
• Trauma. After any accident or fall, you should always get checked by a doctor to make sure your injuries aren’t serious. If you are experiencing lower back pain after an incident of trauma, check with your doctor to see what is wrong.
• Disc or spinal issues. Slipped, herniated, or bulging discs can also be the cause of lower back pain. Check with your doctor if your back pain is severe or if you experience numbness or tingling anywhere in your back, legs, or feet. Tingling or numbness can be a symptom of a disc issue from a spinal disc pressing on the spinal cord. 

How the Chirp Wheel helps Lower Back Pain

Using the Chirp Wheel to massage lower back muscles and other muscles that are connected to the lower back can greatly improve mobility and reduce muscle tension and pain. Roll out your lower back, hips, hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes to help reduce lower back pain.

Using the Chirp Wheel for lower back pain has been helpful for a lot of people like you who experience lower back pain or sciatica pain, which is a frequent symptom of lower back pain.

Pro tip: Use the 6 inch Chirp Wheel+ as a posture corrector while sitting in your chair. Simply place the wheel between the small of your back and the chair. It will help keep your back upright until you can transition fully from poor posture to strong back muscles that can maintain correct posture without pain.

 

Other simple solutions for lower back pain

Exercise. Exercising regularly can greatly improve your back’s mobility and strength. Ask your doctor what exercises you can do for your back.

Build muscle strength. Doing core-strengthening exercises can greatly reduce your back pain, especially if your poor posture is the culprit of your pain.

Increase flexibility. Use the Chirp Wheel or do yoga daily to stretch and strengthen your muscles and reduce your back pain.

Maintain a healthy weight. Gaining weight puts extra strain on your back. If possible, losing a little weight can help reduce back pain.

Quit smoking. Smoking can cause additional back pain because nicotine can alter the size of your blood vessels and reduce blood flow.

References

Cronkleton, E. (2020, February 24). 6 foam roller exercises for your back. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/roller-foam-for-back#takeaway 

Franciscan Health. (2020, February 17). 3 ways smoking is hurting your back. Retrieved from https://www.franciscanhealth.org/community/blog/3-ways-smoking-is-hurting-your-back#:~:text=Smoking%20Hurts%20Your%20Blood%20Flow&text=%22Because%20nicotine%20can%20alter%20the,Navarasala%20said. 

Martel, J. (2019, August 1). What you should know about low back pain. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/low-back-pain-acute 

Mayo Clinic. (2021). Back pain. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Low back pain fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet 

Peloza, J. (2017, April 20). Lower back pain symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/lower-back-pain-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment