Paincare Florida

Lower Back Pain

PAIN CONDITION

Back Pain: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief

If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain in your lower back, you’re not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 619 million people worldwide deal with lower back pain (LBP).[1] Lower back pain affects people of all ages and lifestyles. Pain can range from mild to severe, impacting your daily activities and work productivity.[1] Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for lower back pain is essential for effective management and relief.

About Low Back Pain

Your lower back is also called the lumbar spine or lumbar region and is the part of your back that begins below the ribcage.[2] The lower back is comprised of five vertebrae and connects to your pelvis. Your lower back also supports the weight of your upper body and does a significant amount of moving and twisting that may cause injury.[3]

Lower back pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, affecting your ability to maintain your daily life. Strains, herniated discs, poor physical condition, improper lifting or arthritis commonly cause LBP.[4]  Many cases of LBP subside within days or weeks with over-the-counter pain relief and self-care. Persistent pain may require specialized treatment like chiropractic care or pain management.[5]

Lower Back Pain Symptoms

Symptoms of low back pain vary depending on the underlying cause and severity.

Common symptoms include:

  • Dull or aching pain[6]
  • Radiates into buttocks, hips and legs (sciatica)[6]
  • Pain from prolonged sitting [6]
  • Pain that improves when shifting positions[6]
  • Stiffness and posture issues[5]
  • Muscle spasms [5]
  • Burning or stabbing pain[7]
  • Chronic pain (more than three months) [7]
  • Acute pain (few days to few weeks) [7]

Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain can be caused by one or more factors, such as the following:

  • Sprains and strains[5]

  • Herniated or ruptured discs[8]

  • Degenerative disc disease[8]

  • Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)[8]

  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)[8]

  • Arthritis[5]

  • Vertebrae fracture[5]

  • Scoliosis or other congenital spinal issues[8]

  • Injuries from accidents or trauma [3]

Back Pain Treatments

In most cases, low back pain sufferers find relief after a month of at-home care, which often consists of OTC medications, applying ice or heat and continuing activities.[9] Patients requiring additional treatment may seek chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy and medicated creams.[10]

Persistent back pain may require diagnostics and specialized care from a pain management doctor. These doctors are trained to provide epidural steroid injections, spinal cord stimulations, joint injections, nerve blocks and pain-relieving medications to alleviate symptoms.

When to Consult a Back Pain Care Specialist

Typically, mild back pain resolves within a few weeks with at-home remedies. If conservative treatments fail to improve your lower back pain, it may worsen or interfere with daily activities; a pain specialist can assess the underlying cause and provide a treatment plan that best fits your needs.

If your lower back pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling, limb weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing, bowel or bladder control issues or follows a traumatic injury, seek immediate medical attention.

Resources:

  1. Low back pain. World Health Organization [Internet]. June 19, 2023. Accessed March 19, 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain#
  2. Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Low Back Pain. WebMD [Internet]. Accessed March 19, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/ss/slideshow-low-back-pain-overview
  3. Chhatre A. Lower Back Pain: What Could It Be? Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Access March 19, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/back-pain/lower-back-pain-what-could-it-be
  4. Mayo Clinic Staff. Back pain – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906#
  5. Low Back Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. January 18, 2021. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7936-lower-back-pain
  6. Peloza J. Lower Back Pain Symptoms. Spine-health [Internet]. April 20, 2017. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/lower-back-pain-symptoms
  7. Low Back Pain. Cedars-Sinai [Internet]. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/l/low-back-pain.html
  8. Back Pain – Overview of Back Pain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [Internet]. April 23, 2019. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain
  9. Mayo Clinic Staff. Back pain – Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. February, 18, 2023. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369911
  10. WebMD Editorial Contributors. What You Can Do for Your Low Back Pain. WebMD [Internet]. Accessed March 20, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/what-helps-with-lower-back-pai
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