Lower Back Pain: Understanding The Causes And Symptoms of Lumbago: The Most Common Chronic Pain Syndrome
Where is Chronic Lower Back Pain located?
Lower Back Pain affects millions of people all over the world. Also known as “Lumbago”, it affects millions of people daily. Billions of dollars is spent each year searching for a Lumbago cure. Lumbago is chronic back pain that is perceived or located in the area of the lower back. The Lumbar Spine is part of the lower back structure. There are five Lumbar Vertebrae (Spinal column bone segments) in the Lumbar Spine from L1 thru L5. The Lumbar Spine is located below the twelve vertebrae of the Thoracic Spine (T1-T12), and above the Sacrum. The Sacrum is the central part of the Pelvis (Hip) that is connected to the left Pelvic Bone (Left Ilium or Left Hip) and the right Pelvic Bone (Right Ilium or Right Hip). The Left Ilium is connected to the left leg, and the Right Ilium is connected to the right leg.
Back Pain
What are the causes of lower back pain?
The numerous causes of chronic lower back pain are linked to:
Osteoporosis-Bone disease that reduces bone mineral density resulting in bone porosity that increases the chance of fractures within bone structures
Lumbar Spinal Injury from L1 thru L5
Pelvic Injury or Trauma
Differences in Leg Length – One leg is shorter or longer than the other leg
Anterior or Posterior Hip Rotation
Upward or downward Hip Displacement – Pelvic Upslip or Downslip
Bad Posture contributing to forward Hip Rotation
Muscular Imbalance-Hypertonic Lower Back Musculature and Hypertonic Hip Flexor Musculature combined with weak and inhibited glutes, hamstrings and abdominal musculature
Repetitive Stress- Constant Compressive lower back musculature and structural vertebral loading
Trigger Points – Knots in taut bands of tissue that cause referred pain, Myofascial pain and Myofascial pain syndrome
Abnormal Spinal Curvature such as Lordosis, also known as Hyperlordosis – excessive low back curvature or Hypolordosis – lack of low back curvature or Scoliosis-abnormal lateral spinal curvature
Gastrointestinal Problems
Diabetes or Blood Sugar Imbalance
Heart Conditions
Pregnancy causes dietary, hormonal, postural, and systemic imbalances
Obesity has an affect on posture and causes structural and soft tissue stress
Herniated Disc or ruptured disc in the Lumbar spine
Degenerative Disc Disease in the Lumbar spine
Pinched nerve in the Lumbar spine
Sciatic Nerve Impingement
Hypertonic Muscles, Muscle Spasms or Muscle Knots in the Lower Back, Glutes or Hamstrings – Quadratus Lumborum, Erector Spinae, Multifidus, Rotatores, Piriformis, Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis-Narrowing of the spinal canal that results in Spinal Cord and/or Nerve Compression
Facet Syndrome or Facet Arthritis or Facet Joint Pain in the Lumbar Spine
Referred pain – SI Joint Pain or Sacroiliac Joint Pain from a misaligned, arthritic or injured Sacroiliac Joint also know as Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Bone disease
Spinal Tumors
Spinal cord disease
Fibromyalgia
What are some Lower Back Pain Symptoms?
Some symptoms of lower back pain causes are:
Sciatica – Sciatica is group of sciatic nerve pain symptoms that include Radiculopathy, Radiculitis, Neuropathic Pain, Radicular Pain
Piriformis Syndrome – this is actually a Sciatica symptom
Muscle Spasms
Muscle Cramps
Muscle knots
Muscle or other sensations of weakness
Lumbago
Back Muscle Pain
Lower left back pain
Lower right back pain
Foot Pain
Upper and/or lower leg Pain
Pain upon movement
Buttocks Pain
Pelvic or Hip Pain
Bone Pain
Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points in the lower back or glutes
Referred Pain, from one area of the lower back into other areas of the body, sometimes as far upwards into the head, or downwards into the or legs or groin area from the lower back.
Numbness and/or Tingling in the lower back or legs or feet
Electrical like sensations in the lower back localized or radiating to other parts of the body
Restless Leg Syndrome
Uncontrolled leg movements
Difficulty standing for long periods of time
Reduced Stamina – cannot walk or run or jump for long distances or periods of time
Walking with a limp
Uneven weight bearing
Bad Posture
Bipedal instability – difficulty standing – needs support of a Walker or Cane
Movements initially perceived as clumsiness
Decreased lower body range of motion in the waist or lower back or hips or legs or knees or ankles or feet
Stiffness, movement difficulty, and/or increased pain upon twisting or the back or torso
Incontinence
Urinary Retention
Deceased Reflexes
Reproductive dysfunction
Sensitivity to heat or cold
Do the right thing next - the important step before treatment
The Pain Assessment for the lower back is an important preparatory step if we are to have a measurable degree of treatment success with an effective Treatment Plan. A highly skilled and trained Physician or Clinical Massage Therapist or Chiropractor can conduct tests to get a better idea of what may be the cause of your lower back pain.
Lower Back Pain Assessment
– A step by step precursor to Effective Back Pain Treatment
Lower Back Pain Treatment
– Helping the Lower back move with minimal pain and maximum functionality again
Return to Home
- Chronic Pain Management for a Higher Quality of Life
