Lower back pain has many different causes. Most commonly, it is caused by an injury or some form of medical condition. Back pain is so common that at least two out of three people will deal with it at some point in their life. Chronic conditions like herniated discs and degenerative disc disease are just as common as muscle strain. The cause of your back pain influences just how intense the pain is. Something temporary, like muscle spasms, can be just as painful as a disc condition. When dealing with low back pain, there are two types: acute and chronic.
Acute Back Pain
Acute low back pain is the term given when you have suffered an injury that is causing the pain. It will heal over time and is not the result of something more serious. Acute pain can vary in length and intensity but eventually goes away. In some cases, it can be permanent without treatment. With any back pain, it is important to seek medical attention right away so that a doctor can determine the severity of the injury and make sure that there are no serious issues.
Chronic Back Pain
Chronic lower back pain is the type of pain that persists. If you have suffered from pain continuously or had recurring flare ups for more than three months, you have chronic pain. Chronic low back pain can be difficult to associate with a cause without comprehensive testing. After you have seen a doctor and had your condition diagnosed, you can then learn about the various ways that can be used to alleviate your back pain.
Muscle Strain
Damage to the ligaments or muscles in the back are the most common causes of acute pain in the lower back. Muscle strains and lumbar sprains are more serious that people think, especially since the lower back is responsible for bearing most of your weight. Muscle strains are damage that occurs to the muscle fibers through over stretching or tearing. Lumbar sprains occur when the ligaments that connect your spinal sections are over stretched or torn. Both injuries are treated the same.
A short period of rest for a maximum of two days is often recommended. During this time, pain medications and hot or cold compresses should be used to reduce lower back pain. If pain persists longer than two weeks, you will need to do back exercises to help strengthen the weakened muscles.
Conditions
If you suffer from chronic low back pain, there is usually a condition that is responsible. You may also experience pain in your legs and tingling or numbness. While there are many different conditions, there are some that are more common than others and are often related to age. This means that while some conditions do not apply to certain age groups or are universal, there are others that will appear more commonly in people at a certain age.
Under 60 Years Old
Lumbar disc herniation can cause low back pain and leg pain. In some cases, numbness also occurs. Pain and numbness travels from the lower spine down the buttocks and to the feet. It will often become more pronounced if you have been on your feet or sitting still for long periods. This is because you are in one position and then you stand up, which adds pressure.
Degenerative disc disorder causes you to experience pain when you sit or move a certain way. The discs in the spin are causing pressure. This pressure in turn causes pinched nerves. The combination of pinched nerves and pressure leads to lower back pain and numbness.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis causes low back pain while standing and/or walking. It occurs when a vertebra in the lumbar area slips forward and puts stress on the disc under it. Leg pain can also be experienced.
Over 60 Years Old
Facet joint osteoarthritis is a degenerative form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage between the facet joints in the back break down. The low back pain you experience is worse in the morning and evening times. Stiffness can also occur and lead to reduced movement.
Another cause of lower back pain in seniors is lumbar spinal stenosis. Pain occurs in the legs when you walk or stand up. The pain is a result of pressure on the nerves where they exit the spine. Standing or walking increases the pressure on these nerves.
Treatment
There are many treatments for low back pain. After seeking a diagnosis from your doctor, you can discuss your options completely. Treatment options will depend on your diagnosis, but are available in several choices:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Home Treatment
- Surgery
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for lower back pain. A special therapist guides you through specific exercises that target your back problem and help strengthen the muscles in your back. In some cases, part of physical therapy will include chiropractic or decompression treatments.
Medications
The medications that are used for treating low back pain will be either over the counter or prescription, and sometimes a combination of the two is recommended. Depending on your condition and the severity of your pain, pain relievers can be acetaminophen or narcotic prescriptions. There are also creams and topical ointments that contain pain relievers.
Home Treatments
Home treatments can be particularly beneficial for acute lower back pain. It can help alleviate the pain while your injured back heals. This type of treatment includes hot and/or cold compresses and gentle massage. It is important to limit your bed rest to the first two days after the injury to avoid muscle weakness as a result of not using your back muscles.
Surgery
Surgical treatments are generally reserved for severe conditions that cause an extreme constant lower back pain. There are quite a few procedures that can be done. You can have bulging discs set back into position or removed. You can have pieces of vertebrae removed to reduce pressure. Your doctor will determine which surgical procedure you will need.
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