Are Women More Prone to Lumbar Spine Issues?

Introduction

Lumbar spine issues are commonly diagnosed in women. The prevalence of lumbar spine problems is so significant that lumbar spine disorder is now considered one of the top 10 female chronic disorders, most likely because women sit for extended periods, which has resulted in significant changes to their posture over time.

An overview of why it’s common for smaller frame females to have this condition and what you can do to reduce your risk of developing one.

Why Women & Lumbar Spine Issues?

There are many reasons why female patients are more prone to developing a lumbar spine issue. These include:

Smaller stature

Women tend to be smaller and have a smaller frame, which means they have less muscle tissue and a higher amount of bone. This can make it difficult for women to support their structure correctly, or if their frame is already inherently unstable or weak. Because of the size difference, the amount of weight that rests on their lumbar area increases, which can lead to increased mechanical stress and possible degeneration.

BMI

The body mass index is a method used to assess body fat based on an individual’s height and weight. Studies indicate that there is a positive correlation between higher BMI and back pain. It has been found that women tend to have higher BMIs than men, so it only stands to reason that there would be more back pain in women than men due to the increase in weight.

Poor posture & sitting posture

Women are more likely to have poor posture due to long periods of sitting, which can result in other skeletal problems. When the spine’s alignment is incorrect, each spinal segment (in this case, our lumbar area) will also be incorrectly aligned. This can lead to problems such as disc degeneration, bulging discs, and more.

Later onset of symptoms

Women tend to develop symptoms from a lumbar spine disorder later on in their adult years compared to men. In some cases, symptoms may not even start occurring until the early 40s, much later than their male counterparts. It has been found that when symptoms do start showing up in women, they are significantly more likely to be severe than in men.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Developing a Lumbar Spine Issue

Below are some ways to help potential lumbar spine issues kick in or at least lower your risk of having one.

More water consumption

The human body needs water to function correctly, which is why it’s so important to drink it! More water consumption increases the volume of our digestive system, but it also helps to balance out our electrolytes. Electrolytes are vital minerals necessary for normal bodily functioning; they’re responsible for helping us maintain normal blood pressure levels and preventing dehydration. Dehydration can lead to lumbar spine issues, so drink up, people!

Proper nutrition

It’s essential to take care of yourself by getting adequate nutrition. Fats are necessary for cellular function, muscle growth, and repairing your cells. Vegetables are also great for improving your digestive system, which leads to better hydration.

Reduce your body weight

This is one of the easiest ways to reduce any potential lumbar spine issues you may be having. Reducing your overall weight will help with your posture and help with any muscular imbalances in your body. This can lead to better blood flow, decreased inflammation, and increased mobility.

Strengthen all muscle groups

Strengthening all muscle groups throughout the entire body can improve overall muscle tone, which takes the strain off of joints and muscles that are already struggling with their movement.

Women often carry extra weight because they tend to be more passive than men. If you’re carrying around excess pounds, it can place more pressure on the discs in your lumbar area, but it’s also possible that you may have low back pain because of weak abdominal muscles or weakness in other areas (such as hip flexors). It’s essential to work out the proper muscle groups in your body, especially your core, to help ease the pressure off your discs.

What to Do if You Experience Back Pain?

If you’re having back pain that just won’t seem to go away, it’s essential to find the source of the pain. This can be done by visiting your chiropractor, who can perform an evaluation on your lumbar spine and determine if you have a lumbar spine issue. If this is the case, they may recommend some therapeutic exercises to help ease your symptoms.

If you are experiencing chronic or recurring lower back pain, contact our office to find the underlying issue. Breathing exercises are essential to help reduce stress on your lower back muscles and discs. Concentrate on taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Technologies and Techniques to Improve Your Back Pain

Nowadays, technology allows us to see our back in ways we never would have been able to before. Here are some technologies and techniques to help with lower back pain:

Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) is a treatment that can treat many different forms of chronic pain.

Magnetic Therapy

Magnetic therapy has been effective in helping women suffering from chronic, low back pain.

Neuromuscular Techniques

Neuromuscular techniques are ideal for providing symptomatic relief in the form of exercises and stretches. These can help with giving immediate relief for pain and tension, as well as decreasing inflammation.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy improves circulation and reduces stress on the entire body to help relieve pain. It can also reduce stiffness and soreness by increasing blood flow, muscle tightness, swelling, and subluxation.

Premia Spine company, for example, has developed a medical device that is inserted into the spine during lower back surgeries. This device helps surgeons tackle the lower back surgery more efficiently, while also limiting how much of the patient’s natural spine is removed.

Conclusion

Women are at a higher risk of developing lumbar spine issues, and they can develop symptoms much later in life than men. Because of the signs that chronic pain in the lumbar area can cause, it’s essential to look into your symptoms and take action to help alleviate them. These are just a few of the many technological advances available to help with lumbar spine issues.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.