Lower back pain that occurs only when standing or walking may be due to muscle fatigue, alternatively, it may be caused by one of the following medical condition(s):
- hyperlordosis
- degenerative disk disease
- spinal stenosis
Muscle fatigue. Prolonged walking or standing can tire or strain the muscles in the lower back and legs which can lead to aches & pains. Treatment for muscle fatigue is rest, take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, gentle exercises to stretch.
Hyperlordosis. This is an excessive inward curvature of the lower spine that causes the buttocks to become more prominent and the stomach to stick out. Hyperlordosis can result from spinal injuries or conditions such as osteoporosis, spondylolisthesis and rickets. Treatment options depend on person’s age and severity of the curvature & symptoms. For children, doctors recommend wearing a back brace while they are still growing, for adults, doctor may recommend conservative treatment. In rare instances, a doctor may recommend corrective surgery.
Degenerative disk disease. Degeneration of disks can lead to the bones in the spine rubbing against one another, which may cause back pain and stiffness. Treatment options can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen & naproxen, physical therapy & back brace. If this treatment does not improve a person’s symptoms, a doctor may recommend artificial disk replacement or spinal fusion.
Spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spine that can place extra pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Treatment for spinal stenosis is usually nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy, NSAIDS, steroid injections, alternative therapies such as chiropractic or acupuncture.
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