Lower back pain: what to do, causes, treatment

1 June 2026

The lower back is called the lower back - from the area where the ribs end to the coccyx (the lowest protruding vertebra).Typically, when a person has “back pain,” we are talking about the lower back.And if 20 years ago, low back pain mainly bothered older people, now even quite young patients turn to specialists for back help.

Why does the lower back often hurt?The fact is that the center of gravity of the human body is located exactly at the level of the lumbar spine, and it bears almost all the load when walking.This is one of the disadvantages of walking upright - vertebrates that move on four limbs do not suffer from such diseases.

Causes of back pain - what you need to know

Statistical studies tell us the following about the frequency of factors that cause lower back pain:

91% of calls are for spine and back musculoskeletal problems.
5% of complaints are related to diseases of the urinary system.
4% - pathologies of other organs (reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract).

Types of lower back pain

Often, back problems arise suddenly - like a bolt from the sky.Such acute pain in the lower back is called “low back pain” and in the past one could hear the term “lumbar pain”.The name itself speaks of the sharp, strong nature of the feeling.During low back pain, any movement only adds to the torment, and the patient involuntarily finds himself in a forced, stiff position in one position.Lumbago lasts for a few minutes and then subsides.

If the pain is prolonged and aching in nature, then we are talking about low back pain.These are low-intensity but constant painful sensations in the lumbar region, intensifying with physical activity or with hypothermia.

And there is a situation where you don't have back pain but feel stiff and uncomfortable.In this case, additional diagnosis from specialists is also required.Depending on the severity of low back pain, treatment methods vary.

Is back pain a symptom of the disease?

Back pain itself can signal very different medical conditions and it is often not easy to understand the real cause.

For example, there is such a thing as displacement grief.It indicates back pain on the right, left or lower side - and the person believes that the cause of his suffering lies in the spine.However, after research, it turned out that the cause was one of the internal organs (kidneys, intestines or organs of the reproductive system).The human body is very complex and difficult to understand.Let's look at some of the possible root causes of lumbar discomfort.

Musculoskeletal disorders cause lower back pain

The connection between spinal disease and lower back pain is direct and clear.It was previously mentioned that spinal pathology is the most common cause of back pain and accounts for more than 90% of all visits.

Disc protrusion and herniated discs rank first in popularity.With such destructive diseases, the disc initially moves slightly outward, prolapses (disc protrusion), and as the disease progresses, the integrity of the disc is broken, causing the inner part (nucleus nucleus pulposus) to escape from the surrounding fibrous ring.

Protrusion most commonly occurs due to disc damage or osteoarthritis.

Another painful consequence of osteonecrosis is compression and compression of the sciatic nerve.Sharp and shooting pain - lumbago.

As a result of this compression, the nerve can become inflamed.The general name for such a disease is radiculitis, and if the inflammation involves the sciatic nerve it is called by the more specific term “sciatica.”The pain from sciatica is concentrated in the lumbar region and spreads to the buttocks and thighs along the sciatic nerve.

Now about the disease that leads to the development of all of the above - osteochondrosis.Lower back pain when suffering from osteoarthritis is a sign of severe pain or dull pain.With the development of the disease (grade 2 and 3), neurological symptoms appear - numbness, pins and needles in the lower limbs.In the morning, a person feels uncomfortable due to a feeling of stiffness in the joints.The function of the digestive tract, kidneys and reproductive system is disrupted.

The main goals in treating osteoarthritis are to reduce pain and prevent destruction of the vertebrae and discs.It is important to understand that the sooner treatment is given, the better the prognosis.

Kidney, urinary tract and lower back pain

You may have heard.Lower back pain is caused by kidney disease.In some cases this is actually true.We recommend that you consult a urologist if you are concerned about the following symptoms:

Painful urination, urine changes color.
Deteriorating health, indifference to life.
Hyperthermia is increased temperature.
Reduced appetite, nausea.
Arterial hypertension.

Different pain.For example, with an exacerbation of chronic pyelonephritis, the pain seems to pull and wrap around the lumbar region, acute and short-term renal colic.

It is characteristic that pain in kidney pathology is concentrated on one side - because one kidney is involved in the inflammatory process.This is how kidney stones (stones) appear in the kidneys or ureters.

Another important diagnostic criterion is that in kidney disease, the intensity of pain does not change when changing body position.However, as you understand, it is better to entrust the correct diagnosis to a specialist.

Excessive exercise and lower back pain

Our spine adapts to physical activity.Therefore, the appearance of pain in the back after exercising will warn you.Usually, soreness in the back muscles due to lactic acid accumulation disappears within 1-2 hours, and if this does not happen, pathology should be suspected.

Causes of spine pain after sports can be due to old injuries or underlying problems with the discs - for example, disc bulges.In this case, eliminating physical exercises will not lead to healing but will only mask the progress of a disease that ravages the spine.

Additionally, back pain after exercise is characteristic of myofascial syndrome.It is not a threat to life, but significantly reduces its quality.

At the same time, physical activity can also contribute to reducing back pain - for example, an overweight patient is more likely to get rid of back pain due to weight loss.

Remember that constant and periodic pain in the lower back after physical activity should be a reason to consult a doctor.

Hypothermia and lower back pain

Prolonged exposure to cold air and wind can lead to hypothermia.If the lower back is not protected from harmful environmental factors, uncomfortable conditions such as myositis can occur.This is the name for the condition of musculoskeletal inflammation.The pain is aching in nature and when touched (palpated) the back muscles are tense.

Characteristics of lower back pain in women and mechanism of occurrence

It's no secret that women's health is closely related to their hormonal levels, which undergo significant changes not only throughout their lives but also every month.Therefore, every month at a certain stage of the menstrual cycle, women may feel pain in the lower back area.Alas, this is a variation of the physiological norm.

And during pregnancy, discomfort in the lower back is considered normal - if it disappears after rest.After all, significant hormonal changes occur in the woman's body during this period, the uterus expands - this changes the deflection in the lower back and shifts the center of gravity.In addition, the natural increase in weight of pregnant women also puts pressure on the spine.

If we talk about other causes of lumbar pain in women, back pain can be a sign of approaching menopause.This is due to reduced estrogen levels and changes in some other sex hormones.

Therefore, the diagnosis of the cause of lower back pain in women needs to be carried out especially carefully so as not to miss important symptoms of serious diseases and not to ignore the pathological causes of lower back pain in women.Indeed, among such formidable diseases there can be cysts, necrosis or inflammation of the ovaries and even cervical tumors.Ignoring and untimely diagnosis of such conditions can lead to infertility and serious complications.

What diseases can cause lower back pain?

Symptoms and nature of pain	Diagnosis can be by MRI
Lower back pain when coughing, sneezing, bending down.	Protrusion (bulging) of the L1/L2 vertebral disc (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5)
Numbness and tingling not only in the back but also in the buttocks and lower limbs.	Symmetric protrusion of the lumbar (posterior) disc of the L1/L2 vertebrae (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5)
Weakness in leg muscles, motor reflexes worsen.	Mid-dorsal (posterior) protrusion of the vertebral discs L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
Sharp, aching pain;The patient cannot even stand up straight during an attack.	Round spondylosis L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
Staying in one position for a long time causes pain.	Diffuse protrusion of vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
Symptoms may be absent for a long time and discovered by chance.	Disc herniation between vertebrae L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
Sharp, throbbing pain in the lower back - also called "lumbar pain".	Vertebral disc herniation L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
Pain in the leg extending below the knee, feeling like pins and needles in the leg.	Vertebral disc herniation L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
It is usually asymptomatic and patients experience only mild discomfort.	Schmorl hernia of vertebrae L1, L2, L3, L4, L5
The function of the intestines, bladder and reproductive system is disrupted.	Medial intervertebral disc herniation L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5
In the early stages, there are no symptoms.Pain occurs when the tumor spreads beyond the disc.	Hemangiomas and hemangiomas in the L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5)
The pain depends on the degree of displacement of the vertebrae.If changes occur in the joints, movement disorders will be noted.	Reanalysis and anterior analysis of the L1 vertebrae (L2, L3, L4, L5)
The pain is cyclical at first, then becomes constant.Increased due to physical activity.	Ventral wedge-shaped deformity of the L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5)
Pain in the lower back, left or right, along the spine.Numbness, feeling like "pins and needles".Muscle tension.	MRI image, signs of degeneration and dystrophy (osteochondrosis) of the lumbar spine
Rsharp pain caused by exertion or careless movement.Changes in gait, dysfunction of the genitourinary system.	Lumbar spondylosis grade 1 (grade 2, grade 3)
Pain in the buttocks and legs, discomfort when sitting for a long time in a chair and walking a lot.	Lumbar spondylosis grade 1 (grade 2, grade 3)

What to do if you have lower back pain?

If your lumbar back pain symptoms do not improve or do not decrease within 3 days, you should consult your doctor.What to do before seeing a doctor?

What you can do for yourself when you have lower back pain

If the cause of pain is unknown:

Measure your temperature to detect inflammation in the body.
Identify accompanying symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, or other)
Call your doctor at home or go to the emergency room.

If the cause of pain is identified (bruise, sprain or lower back injury):

taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - diclofenac, ibuprofen, or others.
Applying a cold compress to the area will help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Use a towel or orthopedic belt to tighten the lumbar area to fix the injured area in one position.
Consult your doctor for a full diagnosis and to determine further treatment tactics.

What should not be done for back pain?

In no case should you apply heat to the painful area of your back!Heat will increase blood flow and if there is inflammation it will make the situation worse: it will increase pain and lead to the spread of the infectious process.For the same reason, you should avoid visiting bathhouses and saunas.
You may not get long-term pain relief if you have persistent and unexplained back problems.Ignoring the root cause can only worsen the course of the disease and lead to serious complications.
You can not try to straighten the vertebrae yourself or massage your back roughly.If left undiagnosed, such actions can cause vertebral displacement and cause unnecessary further injury.

Which doctor should I consult for lower back pain?

It happens that a person will be glad to see a specialist, but does not know which doctor to contact with complaints of lower back pain.Let's clarify this issue a bit.

First of all, you should make an appointment with your general practitioner.He will conduct a differential diagnosis and determine with which doctor you should continue treatment.It could be:

Neurologist – to know the neurological symptoms and nerve involvement in the process.
Urologist - if a disease of the urinary system (kidneys) is suspected.
Gynecologist – to treat diseases of the female reproductive system.

According to indications, complete blood count (CBC) and universal urinalysis (UCA), X-ray examination of the spine (especially MRI), ultrasound of pelvic organs, kidneys and other studies may be prescribed.

It is important to remember that self-medication and other home remedies for back pain are a waste of money and time.Furthermore, by delaying seeing a specialist, you risk developing an advanced form of the disease, thereby exposing yourself to long, expensive and often less successful treatment (compared to the initial stages).

How to cure lower back pain: basic treatment methods

Surely you will have questions: if self-medication is not effective, how can I cure back pain?A competent specialist has many techniques in his arsenal, including both conservative and surgical treatment.

Conservative treatment includes the following points:

Take anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain relievers orally and topically.
Physical therapy (shock wave therapy, acupuncture).
Exercise therapy.
Massage therapy.
Exercise therapy and gymnastics.

Physiotherapy and massage procedures must be carried out after the acute stage of the disease, when the pain syndrome has subsided.

Surgical treatment is indicated in cases of progressive spinal disease, when conservative methods have failed to achieve any significant results.However, with timely diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment, the need for surgical intervention can be delayed or avoided altogether.

Preventing low back pain

As a rule, pain in the back and lower back arises due to a careless attitude towards one's health.After all, a sedentary lifestyle, the burden of sedentary work and being forced to stay in a prolonged position are typical for many of us.Excessive physical activity without preparation (stretching) and lifting weights with incorrect back posture are equally harmful.It's no surprise that the majority of the world's population suffers from back pain.

Doctor's advice to prevent back pain:

Pay attention to your posture, keep your back straight.
Avoid awkward positions at work.You can place a small pillow under your lower back to support your back.Try it!
When sitting for long periods of time at your desk, you should stand up occasionally (every hour), ideally for a joint warm-up or maybe just a walk.
It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress;it is quite hard and at the same time elastic.
Start your day with exercises that strengthen your back and core muscles.

How to lift weights properly?

If you need to lift and carry heavy objects, you should do so by bending your knees, not your back.That is, first you need to sit down, bear the load, then straighten your knees, keeping the back line straight.