A stiff back is usually triggered by a strained muscle or arthritis in the lumbar spine.
Thelumbar spineis the area that consists of the five vertebrae in the lower back.
People with stiffness caused bylumbar spine arthritisusually have steadily increasing symptoms over years.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
This causes the back muscles to seize up and stiffen.
Treatment and remedies for a stiff back are based on the underlying cause.
Lumbar Spine Osteoarthritis
Lumbar spine osteoarthritis is another cause of a stiff back.
This condition is progressive meaning that it gets worse over time.
It is a result of damage to the vertebrae due to long-term wear and tear.
As arthritis progresses, cartilage and discs in the lumbar spine begin to thin and disappear.
This results in bone rubbing against bone, causing pain and stiffness.
This can make movements such as bending, stooping, and twisting very difficult.
They may be less useful in early-stage arthritis when the signs are less visible.
An experienced clinician can often make a diagnosis of osteoarthritis even if X-rays dont show visible bone damage.
This condition does not show up on X-rays but can be seen with MRI.
Light Activity
Light activity is advised when overcoming back stiffness.
Light activities include walking slowly and doing light household chores such as putting away groceries or folding laundry.
Other light activities like strengthening muscles, improvingflexibility, and doing aerobics may help some people with back stiffness.
Performing light activity can be very helpful in relieving discomfort.
However, its important to avoid activities that involve bending or twisting.
Ice and Heat
Ice and heat applicationscan be very helpful for relieving pain due to back stiffness.
Stretching and Exercises
Gentle back stretches and exercisescan help to relieve low back stiffness.
Many patients also feel better when doingyogaor Pilates.
Exercises to try include:
How long does it take for lower back stiffness to go away?
The amount of time it takes for lower back stiffness to go away depends on what caused it.
If your pain seems especially severe or debilitating, make a visit to urgent care.
Whereas chiropractors focus on the alignment of bones and joints, physical therapists focus on full-body movement and functionality.
Getting anew mattressmay also be able to help relieve back stiffness for some people.
Most of the time, simple treatments like stretching and using ice and heat will provide relief.
Sometimes back pain doesnt go away or gets worse despite following the recommended measures.
If this is the case, contact your healthcare provider, who can run diagnostic tests.
In some cases, symptoms of low back pain and stiffness will require more intensive treatments.
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American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Osteoarthritis.
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2023;12(4):1685. doi:10.3390/jcm12041685
