If you suddenly develop lower back pain, then you'll probably associate it with carrying heavy objects, being on your feet all day, or sitting at your desk for prolonged periods of time. While these are common reasons for lower back pain, there are other, less common causes. Here are three surprising reasons for your lower back pain and what you can do about them:

Allergies

Whether you have food allergies or if you're allergic to cats, you may have an increased risk for developing lower back pain. Allergic reactions cause the release of chemicals in your bloodstream known as pro-inflammatory cytokines.

When cytokines are expressed in large numbers, a systemic inflammatory response is triggered. When this happens, you may develop upper respiratory problems such as sneezing and runny nose, headache, and even lower back pain.

If you have allergies, try taking an over-the-counter antihistamine, as this may help suppress systemic inflammation, while easing your back pain. Also, consider making an appointment for chiropractic care, which may include spinal manipulation treatments and therapeutic massage. 

Gallbladder Disease

If you have gallstones or other diseases of the gallbladder, you may experience severe pain in the upper right quadrant of your abdomen, loss of appetite, and nausea. In addition to these common symptoms of gallbladder disease, you may also experience extreme pain in your lower back.

This type of pain is known as referred pain, and is common in those suffering from disorders of the gallbladder. Your gallbladder shares some the same nerve pathways as the nerves in your back, and because of this, you may be at high risk for developing lower back discomfort when you have a gallbladder attack.

To ease gallbladder symptoms and lower back pain, avoid foods high in fat content, maintain a healthy body weight, and monitor your sugar intake. 

Medication Side Effects

Medications used in the treatment of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and allergies can cause muscle and joint pain. For example, if you take beta blockers, a drug commonly used to manage cardiac arrhythmia, migraines, and hypertension, you may notice that your legs and back are sore.

Despite muscle soreness, do not stop taking your beta blockers until your physician says it is okay to do so. Discontinuing beta blockers without medical clearance can put you at risk for a dangerous elevation in blood pressure or an abnormal heart rhythm.

If you suffer from lower back pain, make an appointment with your chiropractic physician. He or she will take a detailed medical history and then develop a treatment plan to help eliminate your lower back pain so that you are more comfortable. 

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