Back pain, low

Alternative names:

backache; low back pain; lumbar pain; pain in the back

Definition:

Pain in the spine or muscles of the lower back.

Considerations:

Low back pain usually involves spasm of the large, supportive muscles alongside the spine. Any injury to the back may produce muscle spasms and stiffness.

Pain caused by muscular strain is usually confined to the back. Occasionally, it may radiate into the buttocks or upper leg(s).

The onset of pain may be immediate or may occur a few hours after the exertion or injury. Often the cause is not obvious.

Most back problems will resolve naturally.

Common causes:

• muscle strain, pulled muscle in the back, or similar injury (the most common cause)
• muscle aches related to a viral infection
• menstruation or premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• prolonged sitting in a person who is susceptible to back problems
• arthritis
• poor posture
• in children: scoliosis, Scheuermann's kyphosis, or spondylolysis
• nonspecific back pain

Less common, but serious causes:

• bladder infection
• endometriosis
• ovarian cancer
• ovarian cysts
• pressure on a nerve root (for example, spinal stenosis or herniated nucleus pulposus)
• ruptured vertebral disk

Note: There may be other causes of low back pain. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for low back pain, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.