What is low back pain? An overview of low back pain

By Cristiano Antonino On Apr 16, 2023

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Low back pain or lumbago is a pain that mainly affects the lower back, but can radiate to the lower limbs, becoming lumbosciatica or sciatica

It is a more common condition than one might think and affects millions of people worldwide.

Low back pain can be caused by many factors including:

Physical inactivity
poor posture
obesity
muscle fatigue
intervertebral disc suffering such as disc herniation
stenosis (narrowing) of the spinal canal
arthrosis and arthritis
scoliosis.

Some factors can contribute to the occurrence of back pain and are:

smoking
stress
insomnia
anxiety.

These factors affect the paravertebral muscle tone causing great tension and greatly influencing the symptoms.

What are the risk factors for low back pain?

Risk factors for lumbago include:

advanced age
sedentariness
obesity
pregnancy
certain work activities that require lifting weights or repetitive movements.

In addition, certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis may increase the risk of developing lumbago.

What are the symptoms of lumbago pain?

The symptoms of lumbago can vary from person to person, but often manifest themselves as:

pain or stiffness in the lumbar region, i.e. the lower back
numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs
difficulty moving or standing for prolonged periods
pain that radiates to the legs.

In some cases, back pain can be so severe that it prevents the person from performing daily activities.

Back pain can be acute or chronic and can vary in intensity depending on the severity of the condition that caused it.

How is low back pain diagnosed?

The diagnosis of lumbago-lumbosciatica is made through an initial interview with the patient, exploring the patient’s lifestyle, type of work and medical history.

This is followed by a comprehensive clinical examination, which includes muscle strength assessment, neurological examination with the study of reflexes and sensitivity in the affected area.

In addition, imaging tests may be prescribed such as:

x-rays
magnetic resonance imaging
computed tomography to identify abnormalities or damage to surrounding tissues
electromyographic and neurographic tests of the lower limbs.

Can back pain be prevented?

There are several ways to prevent back pain, including

maintaining good posture
stretching regularly
sitting or standing for prolonged periods.

Other methods of prevention include

maintaining an ideal weight
maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle
avoiding stress
quitting smoking
using appropriate weight-lifting techniques when carrying heavy objects.

How to treat low back pain?

The treatment of low back pain depends on the cause of the condition.

In some cases, rest and taking anti-inflammatory painkillers can relieve back pain.

In addition to traditional treatments, there are several alternative therapies that can help relieve low back pain, including:

acupuncture
massage therapy
yoga
sleeping on a comfortable mattress
replacing old or worn-out shoes – proper footbeds.

These therapies can be used alone or in combination with other treatments to help resolve low back pain.

In rare cases, back pain may require surgery or alternative surgical therapies.

Conclusions

Low back pain is a common condition that can be caused by various factors.

However, it is important to know that it is treatable with both traditional and alternative therapies and can often be prevented through healthy habits and lifestyle changes.

My advice, if you suffer from back pain, it is important to consult a specialised professional as soon as possible to determine the best therapy project for your individual needs.

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