Limited range of motion in the lower back can be caused by degenerative spinal conditions, ligament sprains and even muscle strains, which cause pain, stiffness and restricted movement.
Common factors for these conditions and limited range of motion in the lower back are aging, degenerative disc disease, poor posture, injury and nerve compression such as sciatica.
Prolonged sitting or slouching weakens your core muscles and can lead to chronic stiffness.
Pinched nerves, often caused by herniated discs or stenosis, can result in pain, numbness and limited mobility.
Facet joint dysfunction can also lead to limited range of motion when the joints between your vertebrae become inflamed, enlarged, "hypertrophy", or even arthritic, restricting movement.
Natural aging causes your intervertebral discs to lose water and height, which also reduces flexibility and causes vertebrae to rub together.
And muscle strain or ligament sprain that is often caused by overexertion, sudden movements or poor lifting techniques, can result in acute pain as well as stiffness.
And structural issues like conditions such as scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, or even vertebral slippage also known as spondylolisthesis can also restrict bending and twisting.
And another condition like osteophyte formation, also known as bone spurs, often caused by osteoarthritis can also form on your spine and limit flexibility.
The main factors that can contribute to the stiffness and the limited range of motion in the lower back are the body restricting movement in response to pain to avoid further injury.
Muscles can also become chronically tight, and cause decreased flexibility.
And adhesions or scar tissue can also create mechanical blockages in your spinal joints.
Lower back pain is also very common and often results from a strain or injury to muscles or tendons in your back, which is commonly caused by arthritis or other structural problems.