Brief overview of lower back pain symptoms
Symptoms of lower back pain include:
- Either come suddenly or appear gradually.
- May occur after a specific event, such as bending over to pick something up. You might hear a “pop” at that moment.
- Experience sensations of sharp, dull, or aching pain.
- Pain that may persist or keep coming back.
- Radiates down to your buttock or along the back of your leg (sciatica).
- Feel more discomfort in specific positions, such as bending over or crouching, and experience relief when lying down.
- Experiencing stiffness when moving or straightening your back
- Posture issues, such as standing crooked or bent.
- Muscle spasms
If you observe any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact your doctor promptly.
What is lower back pain?
Lower back pain occurs in the lumbar region of your spine and can result from various injuries or conditions. Usually, it is caused by injury to the muscles or tendons and may involve nerves in that region.
Most people encounter lower back pain at some stage, which can range from mild to severe. Usually, it is temporary, but chronic lower back pain is also prevalent, affecting up to 23% of adults globally. In more serious cases, this pain can hinder activities such as walking, sleeping, working, or performing everyday tasks.
Because lower back pain is so common, it can be challenging to determine whether you should be concerned. Trust your instincts and reach out to a healthcare provider if something feels off or if the pain stops you from doing your normal activities.
What are the common causes of lower back pain?
Back pain often occurs without a clear cause identified on tests or imaging. Common conditions linked with back pain include:
- Muscle or ligament strains: can happen due to repetitive heavy lifting or abrupt, awkward movements. For those in poor physical condition, ongoing back strain can lead to painful muscle spasms.
- Bulging or ruptured discs: happen when the cushioned discs between the spinal bones are impacted. The soft core inside a disc can protrude or rupture, pressing on a nerve. However, a bulging or ruptured disk does not always lead to back pain. Disk issues are often detected on spinal CT scans or MRIs performed for other purposes.
- Arthritis: specifically osteoarthritis, can impact the lower back. Sometimes, spinal arthritis leads to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
- Osteoporosis: happens when the vertebrae in the spine develop painful fractures because the bones become porous and weak.
- Ankylosing spondylitis: or axial spondyloarthritis, is an inflammatory condition that can lead to fusion of certain vertebrae in the spine, resulting in decreased spinal flexibility.
Other temporary factors that can cause low back pain
Other common temporary causes of lower back pain include:
- Menstrual cramps: Some women feel lower back pain or cramps during their period.
- Pregnancy: can lead to lower back pain, particularly in the second and third trimesters. Hormonal shifts, added weight from the uterus and fetus, and changes in the body’s center of gravity typically cause this.
- Back labor: refers to pain and discomfort in your lower back during labor, typically happening when the fetus is facing your front rather than your back.
What are the factors that increase the risk of lower back pain?
Anyone, including children and teenagers, can develop back pain. Several factors can increase the risk of experiencing it:
- Age: Back pain becomes more common as people get older, typically starting around age 30 or 40.
- A lack of physical activity: can result in weakened, inactive muscles in the back and abdomen, potentially leading to back pain.
- Carrying excess weight: puts additional strain on the back.
- Diseases such as certain types of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.
- Poor lifting technique: such as relying on the back rather than the legs, can lead to back pain.
- Psychological conditions: Individuals prone to depression and anxiety appear to face a greater risk of back pain. Stress can cause muscle tension, leading to back pain.
- Smoking: is associated with higher rates of back pain. This may be due to smoking-induced coughing, which can lead to herniated disks. Additionally, smoking can decrease blood flow to the spine and raise the risk of osteoporosis.
How is lower back pain diagnosed?
Your doctor examines your back and evaluates your ability to sit, stand, walk, and lift your legs. They might also ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10 and discuss how it affects your daily activities.
These tests help determine the cause of your pain and measure your range of motion before pain or muscle spasms limit you. They also help exclude more serious causes of back pain. One or more of these tests may help identify the specific source of the back pain.
- X-ray images: can show arthritis or broken bones, but they do not reveal problems with the spinal cord, muscles, nerves, or disks.
- MRI or CT scans: generate images that can detect herniated disks and problems with bones, muscles, tissues, tendons, nerves, ligaments, and blood vessels.
- Blood tests: can determine whether an infection or other condition is responsible for the pain.
- Nerve studies: involve electromyography (EMG), which measures electrical signals from nerves and muscle responses. This test helps confirm nerve compression caused by herniated disks or spinal stenosis. It can also help distinguish between radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Although it is not a first-line test, it can be used if the other tests mentioned above are inconclusive.
What are the available treatment options for lower back pain?
Acute, non-specific back pain may improve within a month with home treatment, especially for those under 60. However, many people experience persistent pain lasting several days, weeks, or months.
Here are some potential treatment options your doctor may recommend based on your condition.
- Medicines
Medicines vary depending on the type of back pain. They may include:
- Pain relievers: include NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), which might be helpful.
- Muscle relaxants: can be helpful if mild to moderate back pain doesn’t improve with pain relievers. However, they may cause side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.
- Topical pain relievers: such as creams, salves, ointments, and patches, work by delivering pain-relieving agents through the skin.
- Narcotics: which include opioid-based medicines like oxycodone or hydrocodone, can be used temporarily under strict medical supervision.
- Certain antidepressants: such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and tricyclics like amitriptyline, can effectively reduce chronic back pain.
- Physical therapy
A physical therapist can teach exercises that improve flexibility, strengthen back and abdominal muscles, and enhance posture. Regular practice of these techniques can help prevent pain from coming back. They also instruct on how to modify movements during a back pain episode to avoid worsening symptoms while staying active.
Surgical and other procedures
Procedures used to treat back pain might include:
- Cortisone injections: also known as shots, are used when other treatments do not alleviate leg pain radiating down. They often include a corticosteroid combined with a numbing agent. Injecting cortisone into the area surrounding the spinal cord can decrease inflammation around the nerve roots, but the pain relief typically lasts only a month or two.
- Radiofrequency ablation: involves inserting a thin needle through the skin close to the pain source. Radio waves then pass through the needle to target and destroy nearby nerves, which blocks pain signals from reaching the brain.
- Implanted nerve stimulators: are devices situated beneath the skin that send electrical impulses to targeted nerves, aiding in blocking pain signals.
- Surgery: to increase space within the spine can sometimes help those with increased muscle weakness or leg-radiating back pain. These problems may result from herniated disks or other conditions that constrict the pathways through which nerves pass.
How can you prevent lower back pain?
Improving your physical fitness and learning proper body mechanics might help prevent back pain. To keep the back healthy and strong:
- Exercise: Engaging in regular low-impact aerobics can boost your back’s strength and endurance, supporting improved muscle function. Good choices include walking, cycling, and swimming, as they are gentle on the back and avoid jolts or strains. Consult your doctor to find the most appropriate activities for you.
- Build muscle strength and flexibility: through exercises targeting the abdominal and back muscles, which strengthen the body’s core and help these muscles work together to support the back.
- Maintain a healthy weight: as excess weight strains back muscles.
- Quit smoking: as it increases the risk of low back pain. The more cigarettes you smoke daily, the higher the risk, so stopping can help reduce this danger.
- Avoid movements: that cause twisting or put stress on the back.
- Keep a neutral pelvic position: When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a low footstool to redistribute weight and reduce strain on the lower back. Alternate feet regularly. Maintaining good posture helps lessen stress on back muscles.
- Sit comfortably: in a chair that provides good lower back support, armrests, and a swivel base. Using a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back can help preserve its natural curve. Ensure your knees and hips stay level, and change your position regularly, at least every thirty minutes.
- Lift safely: by avoiding heavy loads when possible. When lifting something heavy, engage your legs, keep your back straight, and bend only at the knees. Avoid twisting motions. Hold the load close to your body and consider asking for help if the object is heavy.
Living with lower back pain
Millions of individuals experience lower back pain, which can cause stiffness, discomfort, and limited movement, significantly impacting daily life. Remember, you do not have to suffer in silence. Seek medical help if your pain persists or if it prevents you from engaging in your favorite activities. There are multiple treatments available that can help reduce pain, enhance mobility, and enable a more fulfilling life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I be concerned about lower back pain?
Specific symptoms that occur with lower back pain can indicate more serious health conditions. Seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience lower back pain along with symptoms like numbness, weakness in one or both legs, issues with urination or bowel control, fever, dizziness or fainting, or intense abdominal pain. Although not as urgent, it is still advisable to consult a healthcare professional promptly if your lower back pain is accompanied by a history of cancer, unexplained weight loss, severe pain at night, being 55 or older without a clear cause, or a higher risk of infection due to a weakened immune system.
When is it advisable to consult a doctor?
Most back pain gets better on its own with home treatment and self-care, usually within a few weeks. See your doctor if your pain lasts longer than a few weeks, is intense, or does not improve with rest. Get medical help if the pain spreads down one or both legs, particularly below the knee, or if you feel weakness, numbness, or tingling in your legs. Also, inform your doctor if you have unexplained weight loss with pain.
Can exercise either worsen or help relieve back pain?
Generally, exercise offers benefits. Start by avoiding heavy lifting or twisting at first; instead, focus on gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to promote healing. Prioritize workouts that target your core and back muscles, as they help support your spine. Consulting a physical therapist can help identify the safest movements tailored to your particular pain.
How can stress or mental health affect low back pain?
Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can all amplify pain. Tension causes muscles to tighten and alters blood flow, leading to greater discomfort. Mind-body practices such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and consistent exercise can reduce both stress and back pain.
How can you use home remedies to alleviate low back pain?
For acute low back pain, follow these straightforward steps: use a heating pad or take a warm bath to soothe muscles. Apply ice packs to decrease swelling or after physical activity. Include gentle stretching or yoga, and stay active rather than resting in bed for long periods, as gentle movement helps speed recovery. You can also try topical creams or gels containing menthol or diclofenac. Additionally, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can offer relief.
