Back Pain
Many individuals will not need extensive treatment for back pain. Over-the-counter pain medications are often sufficient. In more severe cases, stronger treatments may be necessary, but they’re typically provided under close supervision from your doctor.
Lower back pain, also called lumbago, is not a disorder. It’s a symptom of several different types of medical problems.
It usually results from a problem with one or more parts of the lower back, such as:
- Ligaments
- Muscles
- Nerves
- The bony structures that make up the spine, called vertebral bodies or vertebrae
It can also be due to a problem with nearby organs, such as the kidneys.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75 to 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime. Of those, 50 percent will have more than one episode within a year.
In 90 percent of all cases, the pain gets better without surgery. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing back pain.
Symptoms that can indicate a more serious medical problem are:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs
- Onset following trauma, such as a fall or a blow to the back
- Intense, constant pain that gets worse at night
- Presence of unexplained weight loss
- Pain associated with a throbbing sensation in the abdomen
- Presence of fever