A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A person can get low back pain and sciatica with or without the ones listed below. The chances of getting these problems are greater in people who have many.
Muscles that support the back can become weak with lack of activity.
Work that involves these motions puts extra stress on the back:
- Heavy lifting
- Bending or twisting
- Exposure to vibrations, such as riding in a car or operating heavy machinery
- Sports with a high risk of injuries or falls
- High-impact sports, such as distance running
Smoking may cause discs in the spine to wear down.
Maintaining a healthy weight is good for overall health. Extra weight can put pressure on the spinal muscles and discs.
Lifting objects with back muscles instead of leg muscles raises the risk of back pain.
Discs in the back lose water content and breakdown as people age. This raises the risk of disc problems and back pain.
Stress and depression may raise the risk of low back pain.
References
Acute low back pain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/acute-low-back-pain. Accessed May 5, 2022.
Chronic low back pain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-low-back-pain. Accessed May 5, 2022.
Low back pain. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/low-back-pain. Accessed May 5, 2022.
Sciatica. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica. Accessed May 5, 2022.
Sciatica. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/sciatica. Accessed May 5, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Teresa Briedwell, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
- Update Date: 05/05/2022