Back pain is a widespread ailment and lower back pain is the most prevalent type. As many as eight in ten people will experience some amount of lower back pain in their life. Evolutionary scientists would have us believe that it's simply because humans were never meant to walk upright. But there are actually many different causes of lower back pain.

In some cases you may experience lower back pain from an injury of some sort like falling or twisting your body. Or you may strain your lower back muscles when lifting heavy objects or performing heavy manual labor. Minor injuries that cause lower back pain can usually be healed with a combination of resting, applying hot or cold packs to the affected area, and taking over-the-counter medications. For some, back muscle strain can lead to a overall spinal imbalance which makes them more prone to injury in the future.

Another relatively common condition leading to lower back pain is a herniated disc. Discs cushion the bones in your spine, but sometimes they bulge out of their normal area and put pressure on the nerves in your backbone. Herniated discs and the associated lower back pain can be caused by a lifting injury, sometimes they seem to occur for no reason at all. Surprising, the greatest relief for this kind of lower back pain may be obtained by walking instead of lying down. Herniated discs will often heal on their own within a few weeks.

More serious conditions that are linked with lower back pain are generally rare, but they do exist.

Sometimes your lower back pain is not related to your spine, discs or muscles. People have been known to experience severe lower left back pain with kidney stones and kidney infections. These conditions would most likely be accompanied by other symptoms, including blood in your urine. Chances are that you would have the pain only in one side of your back. Anyone with this combination of symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Lower back pain can be caused by degenerative disc disease of the spine. This is not actually a disease, but is rather a condition normally brought on by aging. In most cases, this occurs only in individuals older than 30. However, it can be quite painful and adversely affect the sufferer's quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is another ailment that may result in lower back pain. This is a degenerative joint disease primarily caused by aging, but your chances can be increased if you're overweight, have osteoarthritis in your family history, or if you constantly stress your joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It's also known as "wear and tear" arthritis. The cartilage in your joints deteriorates to the point where bone contacts bone and pain occurs.

Finally, lower back pain can be due to a compression fracture. Persons at greater risk for a compression fracture include postmenopausal women who also have osteoporosis. Both men and women who have been on corticosteroid therapy for a long period of time are also at risk. For those who are at risk, compression fractures can be caused from a tiny amount of force on the spine.

To help avoid lower back pain you should stay generally active. The best exercises are those that improve your overall fitness, like walking and swimming. Specific exercises that could help include gently stretching your back muscles. One easy way to do this is to lie on your back with your knees bent, then raise one knee to your chest. Hold this position for five seconds, then repeat with the other leg.