Lower Back Pain
Everything you need to know about Lower Back Pain
Feeling pain or pressure in your lower back? Musculoskeletal issues are a common culprit, but other medical conditions can cause it, too. Here’s everything you need to know about the causes of lower back pain and how to manage it.
Lower back pain is a familiar ailment. Most people will experience it in their lifetime. According to studies, lower back pain is the world’s most common cause of absence from work and its most common disability.
Most lower back pain is the result of an injury however, medical conditions can also cause it.
Most people have their first encounter with back pain when they’re between the ages of 30 and 50 years old
This is partly due to the way the body changes with age.
As you grow older, there’s a reduction in fluid between the vertebrae in the spine. As a result, discs in the spine are more easily irritated.
You also lose some muscle tone, which makes the back more prone to injury.
This is why strengthening your back muscles and using good body mechanics can help prevent lower back pain.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms
Lower back pain has a lot of potential causes and may result in a variety of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- pain when resting or sitting for long periods
- pain when lifting something heavy or bending down
- pain radiating from the glutes or hips
- stiffness after a period of inactivity or when first waking up
- numbness or weakness
There are other less common — but more severe — symptoms. They include:
- pain in the legs or feet as well as in the back
- unintentional weight loss
- fever
- lack of bowel control
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Lower Back Pain Causes
There are many common causes of lower back pain, including underlying chronic conditions.
Muscle sprains or strains
The muscles and ligaments in the back can stretch or tear due to excess activity. Sudden movements can also cause sprains or strains.
Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the lower back as well as muscle spasms.
Herniated disc
The discs in the back are prone to injury, and this risk increases with age.
The outside of the discs can tear or herniate.
A herniated disc is also known as a slipped or ruptured disc. It occurs when the cartilage surrounding a disc pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots. The cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae extends outside its usual position. This can result in the nerve root becoming compressed as it exits the spinal cord and vertebrae.
Possible causes include trauma and degenerative changes over time. Without treatment, pain from a herniated disc will typically last up to 6 weeksTrusted Source
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Sciatica
The sciatic nerve connects the spine to the legs.
If a herniated disc presses on the sciatic nerve, sciatica can occur. Sciatica can cause leg or foot pain that usually feels like burning, or pins and needles.
Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis causes the spaces in your spine to narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
Spinal stenosis is commonly associated with the degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae. The result is compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues, such as discs.
Pressure on the spinal nerves causes symptoms such as:
- numbness
- weakness
- cramping
You might feel these symptoms anywhere in the body. Many people with spinal stenosis notice their symptoms worsen when they stand or walk.
Unusual spine curvatures
Conditions that cause unusual curvatures in the spine include:
- scoliosis
- lordosis
- kyphosis
These conditions are often present at birth and are usually first diagnosed during childhood or adolescence.
The unusual curvature can cause pain and poor posture because it places pressure on the:
- muscles
- tendons
- ligaments
- vertebrae
However, some people may not have any symptoms.
Other conditions
Several other conditions can cause lower back pain. They’re usually accompanied by additional symptoms.
They include the following conditions, all associated with musculoskeletal pain:
- Arthritis: Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.
- Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is long-term pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, and tendons.
- Spondylitis: Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation. It’s a form of arthritis.
- Spondylosis: Spondylosis is also a form of arthritis. This degenerative disorder may cause the loss of normal spinal structure and function. Although aging is the primary cause, the location and rate of degeneration will vary by individual.
Other health conditions that can cause lower back pain include:
- kidney and bladder problems, including kidney infections
- pregnancy
- endometriosis
- ovarian cysts
- uterine fibroids
- spinal cord misalignment
- spinal infections
- cancer, such as cancer of the spinal cord
Diagnosis of Lower Back Pain
A doctor will likely begin by requesting a complete medical history and conducting a thorough physical exam to determine where you’re feeling the pain. The physical exam can also reveal whether the pain affects your range of motion. In addition, a doctor may check your reflexes and responses to certain sensations. This helps them determine if your lower back pain is affecting your nerves.
Unless your symptoms are concerning or you have neurologic loss, a doctor will probably monitor your condition for a few weeks before sending you for more testing. This is because most lower back pain resolves with simple self-care treatments.
Symptoms that require more testing include: weakness, unintentional weight loss, fever or lack of bowel control. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms in addition to lower back pain.
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