Why does low back pain appear? Causes and treatments

Low back pain is a common pathology among the population, since it is often caused by poor posture. It is important to treat it appropriately, with the aim of preventing it from becoming chronic pain that can directly affect the patient's quality of life.

What is low back pain?

Low back pain is usually located in the lower lumbar area, although on some occasions it can extend towards the inguinal area or on the back of the gluteus and groinThis pain can be mild or severe, and in many cases, it worsens with certain movements, positions, or physical effort. Although, in most cases, lower back pain is temporary and can be resolved with conservative treatment, sometimes it can become chronic, which negatively affects the person's daily activities.

Symptoms of low back pain

Low back pain is mainly characterized by a feeling of localized discomfort in the lower back area, which can vary in intensity and duration. Patients typically experience pain when performing certain movements such as bending, turning, getting up from a chair, or standing for long periods of time.

In addition to pain, it is common for patients to experience stiffness in the affected area, making movement difficult. In some cases, the pain may be accompanied by weakness in the legs, tingling, or a feeling of numbness, which could indicate a more serious condition, such as a herniated disc pressing on nerves in the spine.

Causes of low back pain

The causes of lower back pain are very diverse, which makes its diagnosis and treatment complex. In many cases, lower back pain is related to degenerative pathologies that cause wear and tear of the joints and intervertebral discs.

In other cases, low back pain is a consequence of trauma or bone fractures affecting the spine. In addition, some patients with pancreatic or kidney pathologies, such as renal colic or kidney stones, may also suffer from pain located in the lower back.

On many occasions, it is often debated whether the pathology is low back pain or sciatica. The difference with sciatica is that this is not a localized pain, it originates in the lumbar spine and can extend throughout the leg. The low back pain operation would occur when it was a more serious case such as the so-called sciatica or a lumbar hernia.

Risk factor's

There are certain factors that can make a patient more prone to lower back pain. Among the most common are: sedentary lifestyle and lack of exerciseAn inactive lifestyle contributes to the weakening of the muscles that support the spine, which increases vulnerability to injury and chronic pain.

People who suffer from degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis, or disorders such as herniated discs, are at higher risk of experiencing low back pain. In these cases, wear and tear on the intervertebral discs can put pressure on the nerve roots, causing pain and discomfort.

Another of the most common risk factors is being overweight, which considerably increases the pressure on the lumbar region. People with a high body mass index (BMI) have a higher risk of suffering from lower back pain, since excess weight overloads the spine and promotes the appearance of disorders in the joints and intervertebral discs.

How is low back pain diagnosed?

When lower back pain appears, The patient must go to a consultation with a doctor specialized in spine, who will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the underlying cause of your pain and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

First, a physical examination will be performed, in which the areas in which the patient has the greatest pain during palpation will be observed.

In many cases, imaging tests are necessary to get a clearer picture of the cause of lower back pain. X-rays are commonly the first choice to rule out bone fractures or obvious structural abnormalities in the spine. However, if the pain persists or if the doctor suspects more complex conditions, such as herniated discs or problems with the intervertebral discs, an MRI will be performed, which provides a more detailed image of the soft tissues and spinal discs.

In situations where symptoms are particularly complex, a CT scan may be performed. This test can generate three-dimensional images of the spine and detect problems that are not easily visible in other studies.

Low back pain treatment

Once a complete diagnosis of the patient's pathology has been made, the cervical spine specialist doctor will develop the appropriate treatment. Firstly, a pharmacological treatment based on analgesics and anti-inflammatories will be prescribed, with the aim of relieving the patient's pain and inflammation.

On the other hand, a physiotherapy treatment for low back pain will be recommended, in which rehabilitative exercises are prescribed, which allow the patient to strengthen the lumbar area to avoid future injuries. Trauma experts will be able to recommend exercises for low back pain at home, as well as the use of lumbar belts.

A technique prior to opting for hernia surgery is the application of radiofrequency or spinal infiltration, which is mainly applied when the patient suffers from lumbar or cervical posterior facet osteoarthritis, as well as lumbar or cervical pain.

Radiofrequency is used to alleviate the patient's pain, but in cases where these treatments do not produce good results and the patient continues to experience pain in the area, surgery will be considered. This is usually the most recurrent option in cases in which the pain is caused by a lumbar disc herniation. This spine radiofrequency is performed by our spinal trauma doctors in our center in Madrid. In this way, the patient will undergo surgery to remove the herniated intervertebral disc by means of a herniated disc microsurgery operation.

There are certain sports recommended to treat low back pain: First of all, walking is very good for low back pain. Swimming will help stabilize the spine and relieve the patient's pain significantly.

Guidelines to prevent low back pain

Although in some cases, such as in patients with osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, the onset of lower back pain may be inevitable, There are several guidelines that can help reduce the risk of suffering from this condition. One of the most important aspects is correcting postural hygiene and maintaining proper posture. Keeping the spine aligned during daily activities can prevent unnecessary strain and wear on the discs and joints.

In addition, it is advisable to avoid a sedentary lifestyle and thus control body weight, since in cases of overweight, the patient's lumbar muscles will be subjected to greater pressure.

It is important perform strengthening exercises for the lower back and abdominal area, to avoid the onset of lower back pain. These muscles are essential for supporting the spine and preventing injury or discomfort. However, it is important to avoid high-impact exercises that can cause unnecessary stress on the spine.

Exercises to prevent lower back pain

There are certain sports disciplines that help prevent and relieve lower back pain. First of all, swimming is one of the most recommended. This low-impact sport promotes spinal stability by working all muscle groups without overloading it.

Pilates is another highly beneficial option, as it works on body stability and also includes muscle stretching exercises for low back pain, which relax the muscles and significantly relieve pain.

As mentioned above, a key aspect of preventing lower back pain is strengthening the abdominal muscles, which provide additional support to the spine. Therefore, it is also important to It is recommended to perform abdominal exercises and hypopressives to prevent lower back pain.

Traumatology clinic in Madrid to treat lower back pain

As we have mentioned, lower back pain is a common pathology that affects a large part of the population. When it appears, It is essential to find a team of spine specialists who can make an accurate diagnosis and offer the appropriate treatment.

Dr. Elgeadi's team is specialized in the treatment of spinal pathologies, providing quality care to diagnose and treat lower back pain in the most effective and personalized way.

If you have symptoms related to lower back pain or any other spinal pathology, do not hesitate to make an appointment with our traumatologists specializing in low back pain and spine in Madrid.