Types of Low Back Pain

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While there are many causes of low back pain, most cases of low back pain can typically be linked to either a general cause - such as muscle strain - or a specific and diagnosable condition, such as degenerative disc disease or a lumbar herniated disc.

Low back pain is typically classified as either acute or chronic:

• Acute back pain is short term, generally lasting from a few days to a few weeks. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.
• Chronic back pain is generally defined as pain that persists for more than three months. The pain may be progressive, or may occasionally flare up and then return to a lower level of pain. With chronic low back pain, the exact cause of the pain can sometimes be difficult to determine.

Lower back pain anatomy

The causes of low back pain can be very complex, and there are many structures in the low back that can cause pain. Sometimes there is a neurological component, such as leg or foot weakness or numbness, that accompanies the low back pain.

The following provides a review of the most common types of low back pain and related symptoms. Prior to reviewing common causes of low back pain, it is important to note that there are a few symptoms that indicate the need for emergency surgery.

Types of lower back pain that indicate a surgical emergency

There are a few symptoms that are possible indications of a serious medical condition requiring surgery, and patients with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms include:

• Sudden bowel and/or bladder dysfunction (cauda equina syndrome)
• Progressive weakness in the legs (cauda equina syndrome)
• Severe, continuous abdominal and low back pain (see abdominal aortic aneurysm)

People with fever and chills, history of cancer with recent weight loss, or who have just suffered a severe trauma should also seek immediate medical attention

Low back pain from muscle strain

The majority of episodes of acute lower back pain are caused by damage to the muscles and/or ligaments in the low back. Even though a muscle strain doesn’t sound like a serious injury, the low back pain can be surprisingly severe and is the cause of many emergency room visits each year.

• A muscle strain occurs when the muscle is over-stretched or torn, resulting in damage to the muscle fibers (a pulled muscle).
• A lumbar sprain happens when ligaments are stretched too far or torn. Ligaments are very tough, fibrous connecting tissues that connect the muscles to the bones and joints.

When the muscles or ligaments in the low back are strained or torn, the area around the muscles can become inflamed. With inflammation the muscles in the back can spasm and cause both severe lower back pain and difficulty moving. Pain is often relieved with rest.

Lower back pain from muscle strain occurs most frequently from lifting a heavy object, lifting while twisting, or a sudden movement or fall. The pain is usually localized (doesn’t radiate to the leg), and there may be muscle spasms or soreness upon touch. The patient usually feels better when resting.

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Source: Spine-health.com – www.spine-health.com 
Last updated: August 31, 2007

This information and the information on Spine-health.com is not intended as a substitute for medical professional help or advice but is to be used only as an aid in understanding back pain and neck pain.

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