Lumbar Pain: What You Need to Know

The lumbar spine, which is in the lower back, plays a very important role in supporting the upper body’s weight. It also has the responsibility of helping with everyday movements, such as is the case when bending, twisting, or coordinating the muscles in the hips, pelvis, legs, and feet. Due to heavy use, the nerves, discs, ligaments, muscles, and bones that are found in the area are quite prone to injury and wear and tear over time, which can cause pain in the lower back.

What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Pain?

Symptoms of lumbar pain encompass various manifestations, including:

• Muscle spasms or tightness
• Dull ache in the hip and/or pelvis
• Sharp, tingling pain originating in the lower back and radiating down one leg, often referred to as sciatica
• Pain intensifying with sitting and promptly improving upon walking
• Noticeable exacerbation of pain in the morning

Often, a combination of these symptoms manifests, either suddenly or gradually, over time. The pain may also fluctuate, with intermittent flare-ups or a progressive worsening pattern. Symptom variation can be individualized and influenced by the underlying cause of the lumbar pain.

Causes of Lumbar Pain

The lumbar spine remains active throughout the day. Incorrect lifting, bending, twisting, and overuse strain can lead to the development of lumbar pain. Additionally, it may result from falls, car accidents, or traumatic incidents. Lower back pain can also be attributed to various underlying health issues. including:

• Osteoarthritis and degenerative disk disease
• Trauma, acute stress, and herniated lumbar disk
• Vertebra collapse due to osteoporosis or trauma
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Vertebra slippage
• Spondylolisthesis
• Isthmic spondylolisthesis
• Scoliosis

Risk Factors for Lumbar Pain

The main lumbar pain risk factors include:

• Poor posture
• Obesity
• Age

Addressing these factors through targeted exercises and adopting a healthy lifestyle may help alleviate the pain. However, if the pain persists or worsens, seeking proper treatment is crucial.

When to Speak to a Doctor About Lumbar Pain?

If you’re suffering from lower back pain that isn’t responding to resting and self-care, you should speak to a spine specialist. Additionally, seek immediate medical assistance if the pain is coupled with symptoms like:

• Intense abdominal pain
• Incontinence
• leg weakness
• Substantial weight loss
• Chills
• A moderate to high fever

A spine specialist will perform a physical exam, as well as one or more imaging scans, to help diagnose the cause of lower back pain. Depending on what the diagnosis is, your doctor will come up with a treatment plan that will help alleviate your pain and prevent the pain from disrupting your everyday activities.

How is Lumbar Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosing lumbar pain involves three crucial steps, including:

• Consultation with a Doctor: Your doctor will ask for a comprehensive description of your symptoms. Details about the pain’s location, characteristics, and frequency are essential for an accurate diagnosis.
• Physical Examination. A physical examination for low back pain typically involves a doctor using palpation to identify muscle spasms, tenderness, and joint abnormalities. The neurologic exam is done to evaluate motor and sensory functions such as hip, knee, and big toe movements. Range of motion exams and reflex assessments can be used to help pinpoint pain triggers or mobility limits. If the leg raise test causes lower back pain, it is likely that there may be a slipped disc.
• Imaging Tests: These may include X-rays and MRI scans as advised by your physician. X-rays will show bone changes, while MRI scans reveal potential nerve problems or blood vessel impingements.

A thorough medical history and physical exam typically provide sufficient information for diagnosing low back pain, and additional testing may not be necessary.

What Are the Treatment Options for Lumbar Pain?

Lumbar pain can be treated using a variety of methods, including:

• Conservative measures like rest, biofeedback, behavioral and cognitive therapy, chiropractic care, and physical therapy, often complemented by prescribed medications
• More invasive interventions, including surgery or minor procedures

To effectively manage pain and build a thorough long-term treatment plan, it is essential to consult a physical therapist, competent chiropractor, or other healthcare provider.

Lumbar Pain Prevention Methods

Apart from undergoing therapy, there are many other steps that one can take in order to decrease the likelihood of getting injured or developing conditions that could transform into other health problems. Preventing low back pain requires various measures aimed at reducing the risk of injuries as well as enhancing general well-being, such as:

• Regular exercise, with a focus on strengthening the core and back muscles and keeping a healthy body weight
• Gentle massages using pain-relieving oils or ointments, such as diclofenac or ibuprofen creams
• Changing your diet to an alkaline diet and using herbal supplements like willow bark or devil’s claw.
• Taking special baths, such as those containing Epsom salt
• Maintaining excellent posture, taking breaks during long periods of sitting or driving, and sleeping in appropriate positions

Moreover, contrary to public opinion, not taking excessive rest and staying active by means of stretching and strengthening exercises is vital to recovering from back injury.

The Spine & Rehab Group takes a comprehensive and integrative approach to back pain management, so you don’t have to put up with it anymore! Call us at 201-523-9590 or schedule an appointment by clicking here. Our goal is to start you on a specific treatment plan and put an end to your misery!

Dr. Amr Hosny is a Harvard-trained Interventional Spine Specialist that helps patients achieve pain relief, heal from injury, and return to their normal lifestyle as soon as possible without surgery.

Dr. Hosny completed an Interventional Spine fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, in Boston, MA, and then finished his residency at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University in NYC. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at New York Medical College and is a written examination editor for the American Board of Anesthesiology. Experienced physician, educator, and healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. Hosny, is committed to enhancing health equity and accessibility using information technology in an era of rapid healthcare transformation while upholding the highest medical care standards.

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The Spine & Rehab Group
140 NJ-17,
Paramus, NJ 07652
(212) 242-8160