What is lower back pain?

Lower back pain is a common problem that can be caused by a number of conditions. It’s a good idea to see your GP if you’re suffering from lower back pain. They can assess how long it’s been going on for and whether you need any tests or treatment.

In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to help ease your symptoms:

Resting – lying down in bed or on the sofa won’t make your back feel better, but it will help stop it getting worse.

Heat packs – heat helps relax muscles, so using a heat pack or hot water bottle on your lower back may help ease some of the pain and stiffness.

Moving – gently moving around helps to get blood flowing through your body again and make you feel better.

If these tips don’t work, see your GP as soon as possible because there are lots of things that can cause lower back pain and they need to know what’s causing yours so they can treat it properly.

How common is lower back pain?

Lower back pain is common: About 8 out of 10 people experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Lower back pain can occur as a result of conditions such as arthritis, an infection or muscle strain. Sometimes, however, no cause can be found for the pain.

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for going to a doctor’s office or emergency department. Most cases of lower back pain are not serious and can be treated at home with rest, over-the-counter medications, heat and other self-care steps.

If your symptoms don’t go away after two to three weeks or if they start getting worse after initially improving, see your doctor.

Lower back pain can affect anyone, but it’s more common in people who are overweight or obese, pregnant women and older adults.

In the United States:

About 80% of adults experience lower back pain at least once in their lives.

About 25% to 35% have an episode of low back pain lasting longer than 3 months during their lifetime.

About 6% to 8% have chronic lower back pain — that is, lower back pain lasting at least 12 weeks.

What causes lower back pain?

There are many causes of lower back pain, from a simple strain to a serious injury.

Common causes include:

Injury or trauma. The most common causes of lower back pain are injuries and trauma, such as falling or being hit by a ball or other object. Injuries can also occur during sporting activities or exercise routines that place extra stress on the spine.

Poor posture. Poor posture places extra stress on the spine and can cause pain and stiffness in the neck and back. Good posture involves keeping your ears over your shoulders and your shoulders over your hips (i.e., “tall spine”). Good posture is especially important if you sit at a desk for long periods of time because it keeps you from slouching forward, which puts more stress on your back muscles and discs in your spine.

Obesity and excess weight gain (especially around the waistline). Losing excess weight can help relieve lower back pain caused by obesity and excess fat around the waistline (known as central obesity).

Spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal). Spinal stenosis is often associated with osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis), but it can also occur without any other symptoms other than stiffness when bending forward or standing up straight after.

How is lower back pain diagnosed?

Lower back pain can be difficult to diagnose. It’s a common symptom that is often associated with other illnesses, such as the flu or urinary tract infection.

Because lower back pain can be caused by so many different things, it’s important to see your doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms. Your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history and do a physical examination of your back to try to find out what’s causing your pain.

Your doctor may order diagnostic tests if they suspect another cause for your symptoms (such as an infection). Tests may include:

Blood tests — These can help detect infections or other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

Spinal X-rays — A spinal X-ray might show signs of arthritis or other problems in the bones of your spine. If you’ve had an injury or trauma to your spine, this type of X-ray could reveal broken bones or spinal cord damage.

CT scan (computerized tomography) — A CT scan uses X-rays and computer technology to create cross-sectional images of internal organs and structures within the body. CT scans are useful for detecting tumors and bleeding in the brain or spinal cord, as well as blood clots in blood vessels supplying these areas.

What are the treatments for lower back pain?

Non-surgical options include:

Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, which can be bought from a pharmacy. These will usually relieve the pain. However, it is important not to take these drugs regularly or for too long as they can cause side effects and interact with other medications you may be taking.

Heat packs or massage – This can help to relieve the pain. It is a good idea to speak to your doctor or nurse about how long you should use heat packs and whether you should use both heat and cold at different times of the day.

Exercise – Regular exercise helps with back pain because it helps improve muscle strength, flexibility and posture. You should ask your doctor or nurse what type of exercises are best for you. In some cases, they may refer you to a physiotherapist who specialises in treating back pain.

Can I prevent lower back pain?

The answer is yes, you can prevent lower back pain. It’s a little more complicated than just saying “don’t lift heavy things,” but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of getting lower back pain:

Strengthen your core muscles. Strengthening your abdominals and lower back will help keep your spine aligned and allow you to better distribute the force of lifting a heavy object over multiple vertebrae. Your core muscles also support your spine’s natural curve, which reduces pressure on the discs between each vertebrae.

Stretch regularly. Flexible muscles are less likely to be injured than tight ones, so stretching can help keep you limber and in better shape for heavier lifting tasks. Make sure you’re stretching after exercise as well as before it — when muscles are warm and pliable they’re less likely to tear or strain from overuse or improper form during exercise.

Maintain proper posture when sitting or standing for long periods of time (or anytime). Slouching will put unnecessary stress on your lower back and neck muscles that could cause pain later on if left unchecked. Practice good posture by keeping your head up straight and shoulders back when sitting at work or home.