Overview
The lower back region includes the bony lumbar spine, vertebral discs, spinal discs and surrounding ligaments, lower back muscles, spinal cord and attached nerves, and the internal organs and skin in the lumbar area. Because of the sensitivity of this region, lower back pain can be extremely painful.
The vertebral discs act as shock absorbers in the spinal column, providing the vertebral bones with cushion and enabling the spine to bend and twist.
Lower back pain can occur from conditions relating to the spine, intervertebral discs, and the surrounding ligaments, nerves, muscles and organs in the lower back area. There are several treatment options.
Learn more in the video below.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment options may include:
- Exercise
- Heat application
- Massage
- Medications
- Rest
- Steroid injection
- Surgery
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of Lumbar/Sacral Back Pain include:
- Inability to point big toe upwards
- Numbness in leg
- Pain in the lower back
- Pain radiating down your leg
- Pain that worsens with inactivity
- Pain that worsens with activity
- Weakness in leg
DIAGNOSIS / TESTS
Diagnostic tests include:
- Blood tests
- Bone scans
- CT
- Discography
- Electrodiagnostics
- MRI
- Myelograms
- Ultrasound imaging
- X-ray
To identify possible serious conditions causing low back pain, a physical exam and medical history are usually needed. Diagnosis can also depend on the location of pain, the history of the injury, and the determination if there has been a prior injury to the nervous system.
Imaging tests are normally only used for lower back pain to exclude other causes of pain.
TYPES
Common forms include:
- Axial pain (mechanical pain)
- Radicular pain (sharp, shooting pain)
- Referred pain (dull and achy)
CAUSES
Causes & contributing factors may include:
- Bone and joints conditions
- Compression fracture
- Degenerative disc disease
- Herniated disc
- Kidney issues
- Lumbar strain
- Mechanical issues
- Nerve irritation
- Osteoarthritis
- Ovary issues
- Pregnancy
- Pulled or torn muscle and/or ligament (most common)
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Trauma
- Tumors
FACTS
- Lumbar strain can occur at any age, but is most common to people in the 40s.
- Lumbar strain is considered chronic after three months.
- Extended activity used to be the recommendation for lumbar strain treatment, but has been found to possibly slow recovery.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
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OUR OFFICE:
The Pain Experts of Arizona
3370 South Mercy Road
Suite 321
Gilbert, AZ 85297
Phone: 480-550-9393
Fax: 480-999-3375