Why does my lower back hurt?
Lower back pain is most often caused by irritated muscles, stiff joints or ligaments that have been overloaded, rather than something serious. A physiotherapist can assess your back, work out which structures are involved and explain what to do next.
Common causes
- Muscle strain from lifting, twisting or a sudden movement
- Stiffness from sitting or driving for long stretches
- Irritated joints in the spine or hips
- Overdoing a new workout or yard work
- Stress and poor sleep, which can make pain feel stronger
What often helps
Staying gently active usually does more good than bed rest. Short walks, changing position often and easy movements within comfort tend to keep the back from stiffening up. A warm shower or heat pack can ease tight muscles for some people.
When to get it assessed
Book an assessment if the pain lasts more than a week or two, keeps returning, spreads into your leg, or interferes with sleep and work. A physiotherapist can look at how you move, test strength and flexibility, and build a plan that may include hands-on care and exercises.
Seek urgent medical care or go to the emergency department if you have numbness in the groin or inner thighs, loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden severe weakness in a leg, fever with back pain, or pain after a fall or car crash.
Our physiotherapists help people across Ottawa with back pain, from first flare-ups to long-standing problems.
Related: should I see a physiotherapist or a chiropractor for low back pain or sciatica?, should I use heat or ice for an injury? and how soon after an injury should I see a physiotherapist?