Why Does Your Low Back Hurt and When Should You Get Help?
Low back pain is incredibly common and will affect most people at some point in their lives. It is one of the most common issues that I see in the clinic as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and it can be truly debilitating.
Follow along for some of the most common reasons for low back pain and some tips on how to relieve low back pain so you can get back to doing the things you love to do!
The low back, also referred to as the lumbar spine, is a very common area that produces pain.
There are two different types of low back pain that I see, acute and chronic.
Acute low back pain is a type of pain that happens suddenly and comes on quickly with a specific motion, accident, fall, etc. It can absolutely be excruciating and limit your ability to move or function. This type of pain typically lasts less than 6 weeks.
The other type of back pain that I see is called chronic low back pain. This type of low back pain progresses slowly over time and persists for greater than 12 weeks. It is usually the result of sedentary lifestyle, repetitive overuse of the spine without good body mechanics, flexibility, or range of motion. This type of pain lasts for several months or even years.
Acute low back pain can also progress to chronic pain if left untreated.
So what are some of the causes of low back pain, and when should you get help?!
As I mentioned earlier, low back pain is incredibly common, but it is not normal!
Below I will outline some of the causes of both acute and chronic low back pain and some warning signs you should look out for that might warrant further investigation!
As always, reach out to your healthcare provider for individual advice. This is generalized information and should not substitute for medical advice.
Some of the causes of acute low back pain may include:
Muscle Strain
Fracture
Disc Herniation
Spondylolisthesis
On the other hand, some of the causes of more chronic pain in the low back can be from:
Arthritis
Sedentary Lifestyle
Spinal Stenosis
Degenerative Disc Disease
Fibromyalgia
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Physical Therapists are well versed in treating musculoskeletal conditions, and low back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat. It is a great idea to seek care directly from a Physical Therapist first in the absence of red flag symptoms in order to get the best results and maximize recovery.
Some of the red flags that Physical Therapists look out for when treating low back pain include:
pain at night
unexplained weight loss (losing weight without trying)
recent trauma like a car accident
older age
recent infection or illness
pain unaffected by movement
If you have any of the above symptoms with your low back pain, reach out to your medical provider ASAP.
If not, According to the clinical guidelines for the management of acute non-specific low back pain, “imaging, especially an MRI is not indicated in the first month unless there is a suspected tumor, fracture, or neurological symptoms”. Your PT can help you determine when to be referred for imaging and can work in conjunction with your medical provider to come up with a treatment plan that is comprehensive and individualized to your goals.
Some of the things that can help to manage low back pain are dry needling and cupping for the relief of muscle pain and tension and to restore proper blood flow and healing properties, guided exercise, stretching and joint mobility, various manual therapies to restore typical joint mobility and muscle quality, and health counseling to maximize healing potential!
If you have low back pain and think you need help managing your low back pain, schedule a complimentary screen with one of our qualified Physical Therapists to learn how Physical Therapy can help you!