Understanding low back pain
Low back pain is a common reason for seeking medical help or missing work, and a leading cause of disability worldwide. It can feel like a muscle ache or a shooting, burning or stabbing pain. Pain may also travel down a leg and get worse when you bend, twist, lift, stand or walk.
Sometimes back pain has no clear cause on a test or scan.
Common causes of low back pain
- Muscle or ligament strain. Heavy lifting or an awkward movement can strain the muscles and ligaments. Repeated strain, especially when physical conditioning is poor, can cause muscle spasms.
- Bulging or ruptured discs. Spinal discs cushion the bones of the spine. Disc material can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve, although these changes do not always cause pain and may be found on scans taken for another reason.
- Arthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. It can sometimes narrow the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
- Osteoporosis. Bones that become brittle can develop painful vertebral fractures.
When to see a doctor
Most back pain improves with self-care over a few weeks. Contact a doctor if it lasts longer than a few weeks, or if it:
- Is severe and does not improve with rest.
- Travels down one or both legs, especially below the knee.
- Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in a leg.
- Occurs with unexplained weight loss.