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Health Library Home>Conditions InDepth>Article

Risk Factors for Low Back Pain and Sciatica

by Debra Wood, RN
En Español (Spanish Version)
Main Page
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Screening
Reducing Your Risk
Talking to Your Doctor
Living With Low Back Pain and Sciatica
Living With Low Back Pain and Sciatica
Resource Guide

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop low back pain or sciatica with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing low back pain or sciatica. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.

Overuse of the back muscles can happen during any activity.

Risk factors include:

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that can cause low back pain, especially in adults.

Sedentary Job or Lifestyle

Muscles that support the back can become weak with lack of exercise.

Occupation

Work that requires the following motions puts additional stress on the back:

  • Heavy lifting
  • Bending or twisting
  • Exposure to vibrations, such as riding in a car or operating heavy machinery

Participating in Strenuous or Contact Sports

  • Injuries from contact sports or falls can result in back pain
  • High-impact sports, such as distance running

Cigarette Smoking

Smoking may cause discs in the spine to wear down.

Obesity

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for your overall health. Extra weight can increase pressure on the spinal muscles and discs.

Improper Lifting Techniques

When you lift objects with your back muscles instead of the stronger muscles in your legs, you increase your risk of back injury.

Age

As you grow older, the discs in your back begin to lose water content and degenerate. This increases the risk of disc problems and back pain, especially after age 40. However, even with some disc degeneration, most people do not have back pain.

Psychosocial factors

Stress, anxiety, and negative mood may increase your risk of low back pain.

REFERENCES:

Acute low back pain. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114958/Acute-low-back-pain. Updated October 25, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2017.

Chronic low back pain. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116935/Chronic-low-back-pain. Updated June 30, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2017.

Dario AB, Ferreira ML, Refshauge KM, et al. The relationship between obesity, low back pain, and lumbar disc degeneration when genetics and the environment are considered: a systematic review of twin studies. The Spine J. 2015;15(5):1106-1117.

Sciatica. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115166/Sciatica. Updated May 8, 2017. Accessed December 27, 2017.

Last reviewed November 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael Woods, MD, FAAP  Last Updated: 12/27/2017

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

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Columbus, Nebraska 68602-1800
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