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Lower Back Pain

More and more people are beginning to complain of lower back pain. Lower back pain is a condition characterized by sudden and persistent feelings of pain in the lower portion of the back, specifically below the waist.

The most common cause of lower back pain may be strained muscles resulting from heavy lifting, strenuous physical activities, and forceful twisting movements. Lower back pain may also result from other injuries to the spine and bones, such as osteoarthritis, tumors in the spine, and fractures in the vertebrae, among others.

Lower back pain may be classified into two categories:

1. Acute Lower Back Pain - A shorter form of pain in the lower portion of the back characterized by sudden and severe pain and, more often than not, is experienced by less than 25% of back pain sufferers.
2. Chronic Lower Back Pain - A type of lower back pain that lasts for a longer period, sometimes even for a lifetime. It is characterized by persistent and even acute pain. Having chronic back pain may bring about symptoms of numbness, bowel dysfunction, and weakness in the legs, among others.

Once you experience lower back pain, or any other pain in the spinal area, consulting a doctor immediately is advisable, especially if you have had the pain for weeks. A physical examination may be the first step in diagnosing lower back pain.

The following are other diagnostic tools to determining whether a patient has lower back pain:

1. Lab Tests - These may include a complete blood count or CBC urinalysis to rule out infection, fractures, and other factors.
2. Imaging Studies - These tests include CT scans, X-rays, and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), which may reveal problems with spinal tissues or other ailments.

Never ignore lower back pain or other persistent pain that you may experience. Consistent pain, especially chronic in nature, may be a warning of very serious medical conditions that must be diagnosed and treated properly.

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