There are numerous primary causes of back stiffness, and having a short list of potential causes will help out you to have a more fruitful conversation with your doctor for treatment of your bulging disc in lower back.

Here are four frequent underlying causes of back stiffness, whether or not it is accompanied by pain:

• Muscle spasms in the legs and hips

Tightness in certain muscle groups in your thighs and/or hips can affect your spine's biomechanics. Here are a few examples:

• Hamstrings that are too tight

Each of your thighs has a hamstring muscle that runs along the back. Physical immobility or a lack or no stretching before and after exercising can cause these huge and powerful set of muscles to become tight.

Sitting with spine curved forward is a good way to start.

While sitting for long time the following changes happen:

• Reduced strength in the muscles of your upper and lower back

• More pressure in each spinal segment

• A decrease in the delivery of nutrients to the spinal tissues

The tension on your spine is increased when you sit on the chair edge or lean over your computer, which can cause stiffness and pain.

• Changes in your spine caused by inflammation

Inflammation causes stiffness as it makes the spine joints less flexible. The following are two common examples:

• Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition in which inflammation in the spine leads to the progressive fusion of neighboring vertebrae. In the upper or lower back, the disorder produces growing stiffness and chronic pain.

• Osteoarthritis

The deterioration of the protecting cartilage connecting the facet joints at the spine back is known as osteoarthritis. As a result, when you move your joints, they create extra friction, producing discomfort and stiffness.

• Your spinal discs will shrink as a result of dehydration

The shock-absorbing cushions amid vertebrae that dispense loads within your spine are known as spinal discs. Degeneration of these discs can occur as a result of aging, affecting their biomechanics.

When a disc degenerates, the fibrocartilage component breaks down, water is lost, and the height of the disc decreases. Spinal stiffness might result from these alterations, especially while bending.

Physical therapy, exercise, medicines, and weight loss are all common treatments (if applicable). Surgery is only suggested in rare cases.

Talk to your doctor if you have back inflexibility that does not go away with self-care and/or interferes with your normal activities. A doctor can assist you in determining the source of your back stiffness and developing a treatment strategy for bulging disc in lower back or other underlying problem.

**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice.