Ninety-five percent of women who suffer from some form of lower back pain also have issues with pelvic health. So, maybe this issue with back pain needs to be looked at from a holistic approach. What other issues might these women be struggling with? What is actually causing the problem? How do we fix it?
We look at the whole person and not just a singular health problem that needs to be treated. Then, we figure out how to help them get their spark back. Continue reading to learn how lower back pain affects the average lifespan of women and how to prevent a life cut short.
What Correlates Lower Back Pain and Mortality in Women?
Recent studies have determined that lower back pain causes an increased mortality rate in women. While mild back pain is not likely to affect the longevity of women, more severe back pain might. The level of severity affects the level of mortality that women may be facing. Severe lower back pain tends to lead to less physical activity which leads to other chronic health conditions such as:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Dysglycemia
- Dyslipidemia
- Arthritis
- Mood disorders
- Certain cancers
Only addressing back pain is leading to a shorter lifespan because the whole body is not actually being cared for. It turns out that there is an elevated mortality risk among women who suffer from back pain. This is not the same for men, thanks to biology.
What Causes Lower Back Pain in Women?
There are quite a few biology-related happenings that women deal with throughout their lives that men don’t. As women age, they tend to face more issues than younger women do as well. These issues usually deal with the female reproductive system.
Menopause and Hormonal Issues
Hormonal fluctuation in girls can also cause them to have back problems more often than in boys.
Older women going through menopause are more likely to have estrogen deficiency causing accelerated disc degeneration than men and younger women. The musculoskeletal system goes through changes that tend to challenge overall health and wellness.
Obesity can cause lower back pain in anyone, especially when dealing with a larger tummy. However, women may also experience abdominal region weight gain during menopause.
Menstruation and Uterine Dysfunction
Dysmenorrhea, also known as severe menstrual cramps, can cause women to become predisposed to issues with back pain. Primary dysmenorrhea causes harsh, atypical uterine contractions when periods begin in adolescence. Secondary dysmenorrhea develops later in life through endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disorder.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus causing problems in the pelvic region with inflammation and swelling. This can cause lower back pain in women due to these symptoms.
Postmenopausal Compression Fractures
Small cracks in the vertebrae, also known as vertebral compression fractures, are more likely after women go through menopause. This makes women more likely to develop osteoporosis or spondylolisthesis when the bones begin to deteriorate.
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome mimics back pain, but it isn’t actually back pain. The piriformis muscle spasms agitating the sciatic nerve. Pregnancy and hormonal changes in women can cause this muscle to act up and causes chronic pain when the muscles are being used.
Other Possible Lower Back Pain Causes
Other things that might cause lower back pain in women might include:
- Pelvic floor tension
- Scar tissue (c-section) and vaginal tearing (vaginal birth)
- Stuck coccyx (tailbone)
- Disc degeneration (from the usual wear and tear on the body)
- Car accidents
- Spinal injuries
When any of these things occur, you may be struggling with back pain so severe that your daily life gets affected by it.
What Can Women Do About Lower Back Pain?
There are a ton of things that women with lower back pain can do to alleviate their symptoms and stave off potential health issues.
One of the biggest issues with pain in women is that it’s either undertreated or overtreated in opposition to men. The number one thing that you can do is to take your pain seriously and find a doctor that will, too. Our lower back pain doctors will work with you to figure out what is causing your pain and set you up with a treatment plan. See a doctor, get treatment, and get better.
Maintaining a healthier lifestyle can help you to get better. Make sure you are eating right and exercising regularly. It’s important to get enough sleep and cut back on your involvement in stressful situations. If you are a smoker, you should consider quitting (there are programs available to help you, making it possible!).
Having a planned routine for treatments like chiropractic care, physical therapy, and even acupuncture can help you to alleviate your worst back pain symptoms. If your weight is a factor in your lower back pain, making better decisions in regards to your health can help you to lose weight and maintain the healthiest version of yourself!
All of these things will help you to lower the risk of those aforementioned health conditions that may plague you as a result of chronic lower back pain.
Don’t Wait to Get Relief!
You don’t have to continue struggling to get through the day. There are options available to help you treat underlying health issues that may be causing your lower back pain. There are even some changes that you can make today to take steps towards a healthier future.
If you are in need of a back doctor in central Florida, we can help you. Before you know it, you will be back to your normal self with a new lease on life.
Contact Momentum Medical today to get information on becoming one of our patients.