Low Back Pain

Diagnosing the source of your low back pain starts with a comprehensive exam. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam to check where pain, weakness and other symptoms originate. In some cases, we may order imaging such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm or rule out other conditions.

Low back pain can range from mild tenderness to intense pain that interferes with work, sleep or daily activities. Symptoms can include: 

• Dull ache in your hips and/or pelvis 
• Muscle spasms or tightness
• Pain that worsens with sitting and quickly improves while walking
• Pain that is noticeably worse in the morning
• Sharp, tingling pain that starts in your lower back and travels down one leg (also known as sciatica)

Common causes of lower back pain include: 

• Arthritis, inflammation of the joints
• Compression fracture of the vertebra (the bones in your spine)
• Herniated disk in your spine (also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk)
• Osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones)
• Overuse or injury to the muscles and tendons in the back
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of your spinal canal), which puts pressure on nearby nerves

Risk factors for low back pain include: 

• Age
• Genetic factors
• Obesity, which puts increased stress on the lower back 
• Physically demanding jobs, especially those involving repetitive lifting, pulling or pushing 

Most lower back pain is treated with rest, heat or ice therapy and over-the-counter pain medications. Light exercise, such as walking or gentle yoga, can reduce symptoms by strengthening the supporting muscles.

Severe cases may require more intensive treatment, including: 

• Injection-based treatments to address nerve pain, such as epidural steroid injections 
• Integrative therapies, like acupuncture and massage therapy 
• Physical therapy
• Prescription drugs, such as muscle relaxers, cortisone injections or narcotic pain medication

Even after the pain has gone away, it is important to be proactive about improving lower back health. Along with your doctor’s recommendations, follow these tips to help prevent further low back pain:

• Avoid sitting for long periods — take regular breaks to stretch and walk around
• Choose chairs with good back support
• Get regular exercise
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Practice straight posture while walking, sitting or standing
• Sleep on your side, rather than your back or stomach