If your back hurts every time you bend over, life can get difficult. Bending over to tie your shoes or tidy up your bedroom become arduous tasks that can leave you in pain for the rest of the day.

There are a number of things that can cause you back pain when bending over. Below, we’ll discuss those reasons and point you toward some resources that may help you to overcome your pain.

3 possible reasons why your lower back hurts when you bend over

Here are some common causes lower back pain:

1. Herniated disc — A herniated disc happens when a disc “slips,” or bulges out, and presses against the nerves nearby. This condition can send a pain shooting through your nervous system, and it can hurt even worse when you bend over.
2. Arthritis — Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation in one or more joints. Spinal arthritis, a common cause of lower back pain, occurs when the joints in your spine or between your spine and pelvis become inflamed. This condition can make bending over very uncomfortable.
3. Strained or torn muscles — It’s possible that your back hurts when you bend over because your miles are torn or overstretched. This can happen if you work out too hard or you stretch your back muscles further than they’re capable of stretching. Until they heal, your back may hurt when you stretch those muscles.

How do I stop my lower back from hurting when I bend over?

Treatment methods vary depending on the root cause of your back pain.

If a torn or strained muscle is causing your pain, your muscles may need to heal before you’re able to bend over without discomfort. The same goes for herniated discs — the swelling will have to subside before your pain stops.

Whatever the reason behind your back pain, we recommend that you call a physical therapist in your area for a consultation. At Rehab Access Physical therapy, we can assess your spine to identify the problem and develop a course of treatment that may help to ease your pain.

If you struggle with chronic injuries or a long-term condition like osteoarthritis, we’ll walk you through stretches and exercises that can help you to strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility and move in a way that reduces the pain you experience in your daily life.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.