You may experience ache or pain in:

• anywhere in the back.
•  sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and/or legs.
• other parts of the body, that depends on the affected nerves.

Usually, the pain goes away with rest, painkillers or home treatment (stretches and exercise), however, you should visit a doctor if there is:

• weight loss without reason
• fever
•  swelling or inflammation
• persistent back pain, down your legs or below the knees
• a recent injury, fall or trauma
• fecal incontinence, or loss of control over bowel movements (urinary incontinence)
• numbness in legs, around the genitals, anus or buttocks

Injuries:

• Accidents, fractures or falls.
• Sprains: overstretched or torn ligaments.
• Strains: in tendons or muscles.

Activity:

• Lifting something improperly or too heavy.
• Poor posture.
• Making an abrupt and awkward movement.

Skeletal irregularities

• Scoliosis: a curvature of the spine.
• Lordosis: an abnormally exaggerated arch in the lower back.
• Spina bifida: incomplete development of the spinal cord or its protective covering.

Medical conditions:

• Tumors-cancer
• fibromyalgia
• kidney stones
• pregnancy

Diagnosis is based on the assessment, it takes into account your full medical history and a physical examination. However if the physical examination is not enough to know where the pain comes from, images or blood tests will allow the therapist or professional to determining the cause of your lower back pain.

The most common imagery test are:

• X-ray
• computerized tomography (CT)
• Myelograms
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Bone scans

Treatment at home

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication
• Rest
• Hydrate
• Exercise
• heat or ice depending  on the type of pain

Please be careful when doing general back exercises and stretches because some of them may not be suitable for your condition and could aggravate it.

If pain persist after doing home treatment, please seek professional help. You can visit our physiotherapists or osteopaths to get an assessment and treatment. The treatment is prescribed according to your needs. Most of the time it will be based on:

• Exercises, stretching, massage and acupuncture (in some cases).