Low back pain is pain felt in your lower back or lumbar spine. Your lower back is the part of your spine between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your pelvis. This part of your spine is designed to be strong and allows you to turn, twist or bend, stand, walk, and lift.
Signs and symptoms:
- Pain that is dull or achy contained to the low back
- Stinging, burning pain that moves from the low back to the backs of the thighs, sometimes into the lower legs or feet; can include numbness or tingling (sciatica)
- Muscle spasms and tightness in the low back, pelvis, and hips
- Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing
- Difficulty standing up straight, walking, or going from standing to sitting
When to see a doctor
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, usually within a few weeks. Contact your doctor if your back pain:
- Persists past a few weeks
- It is severe and doesn't improve with rest
- Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
- Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Seek immediate care if your back pain:
- Causes new bowel or bladder problems
- Is accompanied by a fever
- Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
In most instances, back pain is non-specific. Still, your doctor will need a detailed medical and family history and look for specific signs and symptoms to determine the underlying cause.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/causes/
https://patient.info/bones-joints-muscles/back-and-spine-pain/lower-back-pain
https://www.bettersafercare.vic.gov.au/clinical-guidance/emergency/low-back-pain
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906