• Sprains and strains: Tearing or stretching of a ligament or muscle, often caused by improper lifting or twisting 
• Herniated discs: A disc in the spine bulges or ruptures, putting pressure on nearby nerves 
• Falls and accidents: A bad fall or car accident can cause a lower back injury 

• Degenerative disc disease: Aging can cause the discs between the vertebrae to break down
• Spondylolisthesis: A vertebra slips out of place
• Scoliosis: A structural problem with the spine

• Arthritis: A common cause of lower back pain, especially osteoarthritis 
• Sciatica: A trapped nerve that runs from the lower back down the leg 
• Ankylosing spondylitis: An inflammatory condition that can cause back pain 
• Cauda equina syndrome: A rare condition that occurs when the cauda equina, a bundle of nerves in the lower spinal cord, is compressed 

This means that no particular cause can be found for your back pain. It’s by far the most common type of back pain. It’s often a result of a simple strain of the muscles, tendons or ligaments around your back. But it can be hard to tell for sure.

It might not always be possible to say exactly what’s caused your back pain. But there are certain things that can increase your risk. These can include:

• lifting heavy or awkward objects
• being obese
• being inactive
• having a demanding job, or being stressed due to work
• standing for a long time
• being depressed

You may not need to seek help from a health professional for lower back pain. Most people find their lower back pain improves by itself within a few weeks. But if there's no improvement after two to three weeks or the pain is getting worse, seek advice from a GP or physiotherapist. It's also worth seeking help if your back pain is stopping you from doing normal activities, or if it goes on longer than six weeks.