At Multi-Care Medical we strive to help all our patients feel their very best. Back pain is a symptom that can have a severe impact on your daily life. Back pain limits mobility, and reduces quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about causes, classification, and treatment.
Lower Back Pain Causes
Back pain is a condition that has many different causes. Some of these are relatively mild and recover on their own in due time. Other causes are health concerns of which back pain is only a symptom of the underlying condition.
Causes of back pain include:
Causes of back pain include:
- Muscle or ligament sprains.
- Straining or overwork that cause back pain due to being out of shape or overweight.
- Bad posture over long periods of time.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Spinal damage such as a vertebral fracture or a ruptured disk.
- Medical conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, meralgia paresthetica, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone and sacroiliitis are all ailments that can cause back pain as a symptom.
Diagnosis Of Lower Back Pain
Diagnosis is commonly done via physical examination, X-rays and, if needed, blood and urine testing. When diagnosed by a doctor, lower back pain typically falls into one of three categories depending on its symptoms and the areas affected.
Axial Lower Back Pain:
Pain in the lower back that is centralized to that area and does not affect the legs or buttocks. Symptoms can include a dull or aching pain that ranges from mild to severe enough to limit daily physical activity. It is also normal for this type of back pain to worsen when performing physical activities. Normal acute cases of axial pain heal with rest within 6 to 12 weeks.
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica):
Pain is caused by compression or pressure on the sciatica nerve. This type of back affliction affects both the legs and lower back, but leg symptoms are more pronounced. Symptoms include numbness and pain felt in the back and only one side of the lower body.
Low Back Pain With Referred Pain:
Defined by a dull, achy pain that centers on the lower back and spreads outward to the groin, upper thighs and buttocks. This type of back pain rarely causes symptoms below the knee and can be treated much like axial pain.
Axial Lower Back Pain:
Pain in the lower back that is centralized to that area and does not affect the legs or buttocks. Symptoms can include a dull or aching pain that ranges from mild to severe enough to limit daily physical activity. It is also normal for this type of back pain to worsen when performing physical activities. Normal acute cases of axial pain heal with rest within 6 to 12 weeks.
Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica):
Pain is caused by compression or pressure on the sciatica nerve. This type of back affliction affects both the legs and lower back, but leg symptoms are more pronounced. Symptoms include numbness and pain felt in the back and only one side of the lower body.
Low Back Pain With Referred Pain:
Defined by a dull, achy pain that centers on the lower back and spreads outward to the groin, upper thighs and buttocks. This type of back pain rarely causes symptoms below the knee and can be treated much like axial pain.
Treatment
When severe lower back pain is a recurring issue that doesn’t heal in 12 weeks, you should seek medical attention. The condition can become chronic if left untreated.
When you need pain management treatment, we’re here to help.
At Multi-Care Medical we have been helping patients deal with aches and pains for many years and strive to restore all our patients to good health.
If you are in pain, contact us today or visit us in Naples, Pembroke Pines, Fort Meyers and Cape Coral.
When you need pain management treatment, we’re here to help.
At Multi-Care Medical we have been helping patients deal with aches and pains for many years and strive to restore all our patients to good health.
If you are in pain, contact us today or visit us in Naples, Pembroke Pines, Fort Meyers and Cape Coral.
