Lower back pain is one of the most commonly reported types of pain in America. Studies show that about 60 % of the pain problems in United States are those of the lower back. Each year, at least $50 billion are spent in America on treatment of the lower back pain. While in most cases, the pain is relieved in a few days, a number of cases take a long time to heal completely and sometimes serious complications may result.

Causes Of Lower Back Pain

Pain in the lower back may arise from different causes and should be treated accordingly. It can arise from the sprain, strain, or spasm caused in back muscles or ligaments, usually in cases when someone lifts a heavy object or overstretches. Excessive strain or compression may cause the disc to rupture, resulting in back pain. Another cause of lower back pain is irritation of nerves or muscles. Bone lesions also cause pain in lower back. While these conditions mostly arise from back injury or trauma, they may be the result of degenerative conditions like arthritis, disc diseases, and infection by virus, or birth abnormality of spine. Factors that contribute to pain in the lower back include smoking, excess weight, inappropriate sleeping position, wrong posture during work, and stress. Occasional causes of pain include fever, bowel or bladder problems, cough, and progressive weakness of legs. Diabetics sometimes suffer from severe back pain including that of lower back.

People At Risk

While everyone, regardless of age and sex, is likely to suffer from at least mild pain in the lower back, people in the age range of 30 to 50 years suffer more frequently. Age and sedentary life style both play their part in causing lower back pain. In children, injury is nearly always the cause of pain in the lower back. Carrying heavy bags on the back has also been found associated with pain.

Conditions Associated With Pain In The Lower Back

Health problems associated with pain in the lower back include bulging disc, sciatica, cauda equina syndrome (ruptured disc material pushed into the spine), osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, and spondylitis.

Treatment

In most cases of lower back pain, surgery is not required. Use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapeutic treatment, and special exercises are the common means of relieving pain. Spinal manipulation, acupuncture, Interventional Therapy, and Ultrasound Therapy have also been found effective in relieving pain in the lower back. In most serious cases, surgery is performed. In all cases, necessary bed rest is advised.