The lower back is a far more frequent cause of back pain than the upper back because the lower part of the back bears the mechanical load, Dr Lee said.
The doctor explained: “If something goes wrong, often because we lift a heavyweight and the load is too heavy, or the spine is twisted, this can cause spinal disc prolapse, muscle and ligament tears and sprains, and spinal fractures.
“The vertebral joints are also common sites for arthritis.”
Dr Lee has revealed the top 15 causes of lower back pain, and some of them are connected to the spinal cord and nerves and others are linked to conditions.
Trauma/injury
Any accidents or trauma, for example, Road Traffic Accidents, or sports injuries – can result in sprains and tears in muscles and ligaments of the lumbar spine.
Dr Lee said: “Sometimes this can cause the intervertebral discs to prolapse or rupture, which means the disc is now pressing on the spinal cord.”
Degenerative disease
As we age, due to general wear and tear, our joints gradually deteriorate.
Dr Lee explained: “The intervertebral discs shrink, meaning the disc space is reduced, and the nerve roots become pinched.
“Bone spurs may also develop which often press on nerve tissue.
“The spine loses mobility and becomes stiffer. This whole process is sometimes called spondylosis.
“If as a result, the spinal canal becomes narrowed, this causes spinal stenosis – a serious condition where intense pressure on the spinal cord causes pain, numbness, and difficulty walking.”