Lower Back Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Lower back pain is a common complaint. It could be caused by a strain or injury to the back muscles or tendons. Other causes include arthritis, structural issues, and disc injuries. Pain is frequently relieved through rest, physical therapy, and medication. Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active can reduce your chances of developing low back pain.

What is lower back pain?

The most common cause of low back pain, among a variety of other conditions, diseases, or injuries, is an injury to the back's muscles or tendons.

The level of pain can vary from mild to severe. In some cases, pain makes walking, sleeping, working, or performing daily tasks difficult or impossible.

Rest, pain relievers, and physical therapy are commonly used to treat lower back pain (PT). Pain relief and healing can be aided by cortisone injections and hands-on treatments (such as osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation). Surgical intervention is required for some back injuries and conditions.

How common is lower back pain?

Lower back pain affects four out of every five people at some point in their lives. It is one of the most common reasons why people seek medical help.

Some people are more prone to back pain than others. Risk factors for lower back pain include:

Age: Back pain is more common in people over the age of 30. Disks (the soft, rubbery tissue that cushions the spine's bones) deteriorate with age. Pain and stiffness can occur as the discs weaken and wear down.
Weight: People who are overweight or obese are more likely to suffer from back pain. Excess weight places strain on joints and discs.
Overall health: Weak abdominal muscles cannot support the spine, resulting in back strains and sprains. People who smoke, drink excessively, or lead a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to suffer from back pain.
Occupation and lifestyle: Heavy lifting and bending jobs and activities can increase the risk of a back injury.
Structural problems: Conditions that alter spine alignment, such as scoliosis, can cause severe back pain.
Disease: People with a family history of osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer, and other diseases are more likely to suffer from low back pain.
Mental health: Depression and anxiety can cause back pain.

What are the symptoms of lower back pain?

Symptoms of lower back pain can appear suddenly or gradually. Pain can be caused by something specific, such as bending over to pick something up. Sometimes you have no idea what caused the pain.

Sharp or dull ache radiating to your bottom or down the back of your legs (sciatica) You may hear a "pop" sound if you strain your back during an activity. Pain is frequently exacerbated by certain positions (such as bending over) and alleviated by lying down.

Other lower back pain symptoms include:

Stiffness: It may be difficult for you to move or straighten your back. It may take some time to get up from a seated position, and you may need to walk or stretch to loosen up. You may notice a reduction in range of motion.
Posture issues: Standing up straight is difficult for many people who suffer from back pain. It is possible to stand "crooked" or bent, with your torso off to the side rather than aligned with your spine. Your lower back might appear flat instead of curved.
Muscle spasms: The muscles in the lower back can tighten or spasm on their own after a strain. Muscle spasms can be excruciatingly painful and make standing, walking, or moving difficult or impossible.

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of injuries, conditions, and diseases. They are as follows:

Strains and sprains: The most common cause of back pain is strains and sprains. Lifting something too heavy or not lifting safely can injure muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Sneezing, coughing, twisting, or bending over can all cause back strain.
Fractures: The bones in the spine can break in an accident, such as a car accident or a fall. Fractures are more likely in people who have certain conditions, such as spondylolysis or osteoporosis.
Disk problems: The vertebrae are cushioned by discs (small spinal bones). Because of their position in the spine, discs can bulge and press on a nerve. They can also cause tears (herniated disk). Disks can flatten and provide less protection as they age (degenerative disc disease).
Structural problems: Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal column becomes too narrow for the spinal cord. A pinched spinal cord can result in severe sciatic nerve pain and lower back pain. Scoliosis (spinal curvature) can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving.
Arthritis: The most common type of arthritis that causes lower back pain is osteoarthritis. Lower back pain, inflammation, and stiffness are all symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Disease: Back pain can be caused by spinal tumours, infections, and various types of cancer. Other conditions can also cause back pain. Kidney stones and abdominal aortic aneurysms are two examples.
Spondylolisthesis: The vertebrae in the spine slip out of place as a result of this condition. Spondylolisthesis causes low back pain and, in some cases, leg pain.

How is lower back pain diagnosed?

Your provider will inquire about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. Imaging studies may be ordered by your provider to check for broken bones or other damage. These studies allow your doctor to see detailed images of your vertebrae, discs, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Your provider may request:

X-ray of the spine, which uses radiation to create images of the bones.
MRI, which creates images of bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues using a magnet and radio waves.
CT scan, which creates 3D images of bones and soft tissues using X-rays and a computer.
Electromyography (EMG) is used to test nerves and muscles, as well as to look for neuropathy (nerve damage), which can cause tingling or numbness in your legs.

Depending on the cause of your pain, your provider may also order blood or urine tests. Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis, have genetic markers that can be detected through blood tests. Urine tests are used to detect kidney stones, which cause flank pain (the sides of the low back).

Which medicine treats low back pain?

If you've ever had low back pain, you may have scanned the shelves of your local drugstore or filled a prescription from your doctor. Not all medications, however, are created equal. The following are some of the most common causes of low back pain.

Pain O Soma

Your doctor may recommend this as a first-line treatment. It works by breaking the cycle of pain. It has no effect on reducing inflammation in the body, however.

Pain O Soma 350 mg is gentler on the stomach than other drugs. While it can help with toothaches, headaches, and post-surgery pain, there isn't much evidence that it can help with back pain. Nonetheless, each situation is unique. So just because it hasn't been shown in clinical trials to be the most effective treatment doesn't mean it won't work for you.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are over-the-counter substitutes for Pain O Soma. They help with swelling and fever treatment.

Pain O Soma is available in a variety of brands and forms. Because the amount of Pain O Soma in each product varies, read the dosing instructions for each product carefully. Do not take more Pain O Soma than prescribed.

Pain O Soma is a medication used to treat mild to moderate pain, including headaches, muscle pain, menstrual pain, cold and sore throat, toothache, back pain, and reactions to vaccinations (shots), as well as to reduce fever. Osteoarthritis pain can also be treated with Pain O Soma. Pain O Soma 500mg is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) medication. It works by altering how the body perceives pain and cooling it. Pain O Soma drug can be used by purchasing it from Primewellrx. This medication will assist you in getting rid of your lower back pain.

Can I prevent lower back pain?

Lower back pain caused by disease or structural problems in the spine cannot be avoided. However, injuries that cause back pain can be avoided.

To reduce your chances of suffering a back injury, you should:

Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts pressure on vertebrae and disks.
Strengthen your abdominal muscles: Pilates and other exercise programs strengthen core muscles that support the spine.
Lift the right way: To avoid injuries, lift with your legs (not your back). Hold heavy items close to your body. Try not to twist your torso while you’re lifting.

What is the outlook for people with lower back pain?

The prognosis is determined by the source of the pain. The majority of people who suffer from back strains and sprains recover with no long-term health consequences. Many people, however, will have another episode within a year.

Some people have chronic back pain that does not go away after a few weeks. Conditions that worsen over time, such as arthritis and osteoporosis, can exacerbate symptoms in the elderly. People with a variety of injuries and conditions can live pain-free lives thanks to surgery and other treatments.

When should I see my healthcare provider about lower back pain?

Lower back pain is usually relieved by rest and pain relievers. Back pain that does not go away may be an indication of something more serious.

Consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

Pain that does not improve after a week of at-home care
Buttocks or leg tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain
severe pain or muscle spasms that prevent you from doing your normal activities.
Fever, weight loss, bowel or bladder problems, or other unexplained symptoms are all possible.

A message from the Cleveland Clinic

Lower back pain affects millions of people. Stiffness, pain, and restricted movement can all reduce one's quality of life. However, if you maintain a healthy weight and engage in activities that keep you moving, you may avoid lower back pain. Consult your doctor if your back pain lasts more than a few days or prevents you from doing the things you enjoy. Several treatments are available to assist you in feeling better, moving better, and getting more out of life.