What is Lower Back Pain?
Low back pain (LBP) is often described as sudden, sharp, persistent, or dull pain felt below the waist. LBP is very common and affects most people at some time during their life. Low back pain is most commonly caused by muscle strain associated with heavy physical work, lifting or forceful movement, bending or twisting, awkward positions, or standing in one position for too long. Any of these movements can exacerbate a prior or existing back disorder. Other conditions that can cause low back pain include spinal stenosis, arthritis (osteoarthritis), spinal infection (osteomyelitis), spinal tumors (benign and malignant), spondylolisthesis, and vertebral fractures (e.g., burst fracture). Low back pain is either acute or chronic. Acute LBP may begin suddenly with intense pain, usually lasting less than 3 months. Chronic pain is persistent long-term pain that sometimes lasts throughout life. Even chronic pain may present episodes of acute pain. Other symptoms include localized pain in a spe
Lower back pain is described as discomfort that occurs anywhere between the top of a person’s legs and the bottom of his ribs, at the back of the body. The lower back is a frequent location of pain, as it is responsible for bearing the majority of a person’s weight. Additionally, the lower back is used when lifting, reaching for things, and twisting, and many people don’t practice good body mechanics when doing these things. As such, this area is frequently injured. Fortunately, most cases of back pain fade within just a few weeks, but some people do develop chronic lower back pain. Symptoms of lower back pain can vary widely, depending on both the cause of the discomfort and the individual’s sensitivity to it. Some people feel it as a dull pain while others may feel burning or sharp pangs of discomfort. Pain in the back can be felt in a centralized location, or it can be spread over a wide area. The pain may hit a person suddenly, or it may become noticeable gradually. Sometimes back
What is low back pain? Low back pain is pain and stiffness in the small of the back. There might also be pain in the buttocks or legs. Simple exercises and good posture can help most low back pain. In a few cases, medications, physical therapy, or surgery might be needed. The spine and lower back The spine is made up of ring-like bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other and form a strong column that keeps the head and body standing up. Between each vertebra is a jelly-like disk that has a tough outside edge. These disks are like cushions between the vertebrae. Muscles and tissues hold vertebrae in the right place. The lower back is made up of five vertebrae. These vertebrae make up the inward curve of the lower back. What causes low back pain? The most common cause of low back pain is overstretched or injured muscles that support the lower back. Muscles and connective tissues can become hurt from lifting or carrying heavy objects incorrectly. Muscles in th
