Low Back Pain
Key points
- Low back pain usually involves spasm of the large, supportive muscles alongside the spine.
- A low back pain problem can create a cycle in which a muscle spasm causes pain, and the pain brings additional muscle spasm.
- The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
- You may want to add a diagnosis related to low back pain to your personal medical record.
Definition
Pain in the spine or muscles of the lower back.
Alternative Names
Backache; Low back pain; Lumbar pain; Pain - back
Considerations
Low back pain usually involves spasm of the large, supportive muscles alongside the spine. Any injury to the back may produce muscle spasms and stiffness.
Pain caused by muscular strain is usually confined to the back. Occasionally, it may radiate into the buttocks or upper leg(s).
The onset of pain may be immediate or may occur a few hours after the exertion or injury. Often the cause is not obvious.
Most back problems will resolve naturally.
Common Causes
- muscle strain, pulled muscle in the back, or similar injury (the most common cause)
- muscle aches related to a viral infection
- menstruation or premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- prolonged sitting in a person who is susceptible to back problems
- arthritis
- poor posture
- in children: scoliosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, or spondylolysis
- nonspecific back pain
Less common, but serious causes:
- bladder infection
- endometriosis
- ovarian cancer
- ovarian cysts
- pressure on a nerve root (for example, spinal stenosis or herniated nucleus pulposus)
- ruptured vertebral disk
Home Care
A low back pain problem can create a cycle in which a muscle spasm causes pain, and the pain brings additional muscle spasm. Rest and pain killers can help interrupt this cycle. Anti-inflammatory medications should be continued as long as there is significant pain. To avoid an upset stomach, take the medication with food unless otherwise instructed. No medication will speed up the healing. Drugs can only help eliminate the symptoms. Sometimes heat or ice applied to the affected area may provide some relief.
An injury must heal by itself. Try to avoid reinjury during the healing process. Rest flat on the back for the first 24 hours and be very careful when moving around.
Severe muscle-spasm pain usually lasts for 2 to 3 days and may be followed by weeks of less severe pain.
Strenuous activity during the 6 weeks following an injury can bring the problem back and postpone complete recovery. After healing, a conservative exercise program will help prevent reinjury.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.