Low back pain: what to do, causes, treatments

1 June 2026

The lower back is called the lower back - the area from the end of the ribs to the tailbone (the lowest protruding vertebra).Most of the time, when a person suffers from "back pain," we are referring to the lower back.If 20 years ago, lower back pain mainly affected the elderly, now even very young patients seek help from specialists for back treatment.

Why does the lower back suffer so often? The fact is that the center of gravity of the human body is located exactly at the level of the lumbar spine and bears almost the entire load when walking.This is one of the drawbacks of walking upright—vertebrates that walk on all fours don't have this problem.

Causes of low back pain – what you need to know

Statistical studies tell us the following about the frequency of causative factors for low back pain:

91% of the problems are problems with the spine and back muscle structure.
5% of complaints were related to urinary tract disorders.
4% - lesions of other organs (reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract).

Types of low back pain

Often, back problems appear suddenly—like a bolt from the blue.This kind of severe pain in the waist is called "low back pain", and people may have heard the word "low back pain" in the past.The name itself speaks of the keenness and sharpness of this feeling.When low back pain attacks, any movement will only aggravate the pain, and the patient will involuntarily find themselves in a restricted position, frozen in one position.Lower back pain lasts for a few minutes and then subsides.

If the pain lasts for a long time and is painful in nature, then we are talking about lower back pain.These are low-intensity but persistent painful sensations in the lower back that worsen with physical activity or hypothermia.

Another situation is when there is no back pain per se, but the person feels stiffness and discomfort.In this case, additional diagnosis by a specialist is required.Treatments vary depending on how your low back pain presents.

Low back pain as a symptom of disease?

Back pain itself can indicate very different pathological conditions, and often it is not that easy to understand the real cause.

For example, there is something called displacement pain.It indicates a condition in which there is pain in the right, left, or lower back, and the person believes that the cause of the pain is in the spine.However, after research, it has been found that one of the culprits is the internal organs (kidneys, intestines, or reproductive system organs).The human body is very complex and confusing.Let’s look at some possible root causes of lower back discomfort.

Musculoskeletal disorders causing low back pain

The link between spinal disease and low back pain is direct and clear.As mentioned previously, spinal pathology is the most common cause of back pain, accounting for more than 90% of all medical visits.

In terms of prevalence, herniation and disc herniation deserve to be at the top of the list.With this destructive disorder, the disc initially moves slightly outward, prolapses (disc herniation), and as the disease progresses, the integrity of the disc is compromised to the point that the inner portion (nucleus pulposus) becomes detached from the surrounding annulus fibrosus.

The most common causes of herniation are disc trauma or osteochondrosis.

Another painful consequence of osteochondrosis is compression and extrusion of the sciatic nerve.Pain severe and severe - pain in the lower back.

As a result of this compression, the nerve may become inflamed.The general name for this condition is radiculitis, although if the inflammation involves the sciatic nerve, it is designated by the more specific term "sciatica."The pain of sciatica is concentrated in the lower back and spreads along the sciatic nerve to the buttocks and thighs.

Now on to the disease that causes all of the above - osteochondrosis.Lower back pain caused by osteochondrosis is characterized by a sharp stabbing pain or a dull ache.As the disease progresses (secondary and tertiary degrees), neurological symptoms appear - numbness, pins and needles in the lower limbs.In the morning, a person is troubled by a feeling of stiffness.The functions of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and reproductive system are disturbed.

The main goals of treating osteochondrosis are to relieve pain and stop the destruction of the vertebrae and discs.It is important to understand that the earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis.

Kidney, urinary tract and low back pain

You may have heard of it.Low back pain is caused by kidney disease.In some cases, this is indeed true.We recommend consulting a urologist if you are concerned about the following symptoms:

Frequent urination is painful and the color of the urine changes.
Deteriorating health and indifference to life.
Hyperthermia refers to an increase in body temperature.
Loss of appetite and feeling nauseous.
Arterial hypertension.

Pain varies from person to person.For example, as chronic pyelonephritis worsens, the pain seems to pull and surround the lower back, and renal colic is acute and short-lived.

The concentration of pain on one side in renal pathology is a feature, since the inflammatory process involves one kidney.This is how kidney stones (calculus) appear in the kidneys or ureters.

Another important diagnostic criterion is that in nephropathy, the intensity of pain does not change with position.However, as you will understand, it is best to leave making an accurate diagnosis to the experts.

Excessive exercise and low back pain

Our spine adapts to physical activity.Therefore, experiencing back pain after going to the gym should be cause for alarm.Normally, back muscle soreness due to lactic acid accumulation disappears within 1-2 hours, if this does not happen, pathology should be suspected.

The cause of spinal pain after exercise may be an old injury or a hidden problem with the disc, such as a herniated disc.In this case, elimination of physical activity will not lead to a cure but will only mask the course of the destructive spinal disease.

In addition, back pain after exercise is also a characteristic of myofascial syndrome.It does not pose a threat to life but can significantly reduce the quality of life.

Physical activity can also help back pain go away - for example, overweight patients are more likely to lose back pain due to weight loss.

Keep in mind that persistent and periodic pain in the lower back after physical activity should be a reason to consult a doctor.

Hypothermia and low back pain

Prolonged exposure to cold air and wind can cause hypothermia.If the lower back is not protected from harmful environmental factors, uncomfortable symptoms such as myositis may occur.This is the name given to inflammation of skeletal muscles.The pain is aching in nature and may appear as a tightening of the back muscles upon palpation.

Characteristics and mechanisms of low back pain in women

It is well known that women's health is closely related to hormone levels, which can change dramatically not only throughout their lives but also from month to month.As a result, women may experience persistent pain in their lower back at some point each month during their menstrual cycle.Alas, this is a variant of physiological normality.

During pregnancy, it is considered normal if lower back discomfort goes away after rest.After all, during this period, significant hormonal changes occur in the female body, the uterus expands, thereby changing the deflection of the lower back and changing the center of gravity.Additionally, pregnant women naturally gain weight, which also puts greater pressure on the spine.

If we talk about other causes of lower back pain in women, back pain can be a sign that menopause is coming.This is due to falling levels of estrogen and changes in many other sex hormones.

Therefore, the diagnosis of the cause of low back pain in women should be particularly careful so as not to miss important symptoms of serious diseases, let alone eliminate the pathological causes of low back pain in women.In fact, among these terrible diseases may be cysts, stroke or ovarian inflammation, and even cervical tumors.Ignoring and not diagnosing such conditions promptly can lead to infertility and serious complications.

What diseases may cause low back pain?

Symptoms, nature of pain	MRI presumptive diagnosis
Lower back pain when coughing, sneezing, or bending over.	L1/L2 (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) vertebrae disc herniation (bulging)
Not only numbness and tingling occur in the back, but also in the buttocks and lower limbs.	Symmetrical dorsal (posterior) herniation of L1/L2 (L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5) intervertebral disc
Leg muscles are weak and motor reflexes worsen.	L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 dorsal (posterior) midline herniation of the intervertebral disc
Severe, stinging pain; the patient cannot even stand upright during the attack.	Round protrusion of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae
Staying in one position for too long can cause pain.	Diffuse protrusion of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae
Symptoms may be absent for a long time and discovered accidentally.	L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 intervertebral disc herniation in the middle of the vertebrae
Severe, stabbing pain in the lower back – also known as “lumbar pain.”	L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 intervertebral disc herniation
Leg pain extending below the knee and a "pins and needles" sensation in the leg.	Herniated disc on the dorsal side of L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 vertebrae
It is usually asymptomatic, with patients reporting only mild discomfort.	Schmorl's hernia of L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 vertebrae
The functions of the intestines, bladder, and reproductive system are disrupted.	L1/L2, L2/L3, L3/L4, L4/L5 paramedian intervertebral disc herniation
In the early stages, the course is asymptomatic.Pain occurs when the tumor spreads beyond the disc.	Angiolipoma and hemangioma of 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 can occur.	Posterior and anterior slip of L1 vertebrae (L2, L3, L4, L5)
The pain starts out cyclically and then becomes constant.Increased by physical activity.	Ventral wedge deformity of L1 vertebral body (L2, L3, L4, L5)
Pain in the lower back (left or right) along the spine.Numbness, a "pins and needles" feeling.Muscle tension.	MRI image, signs of degenerative dystrophic changes (osteochondrosis) in the lumbar spine
rightSevere pain caused by exertion or careless movement.Gait changes, genitourinary system dysfunction.	Lumbar osteochondrosis, grade one (grade two, three)
Pain in the buttocks and legs, discomfort such as sitting in a chair for a long time or walking for a long time.	Lumbar spondylosis, 1st degree (2nd degree, 3rd degree)

What should I do if I have lower back pain?

If your lower back pain symptoms don't go away or lessen within 3 days, you should see your doctor.What should I do before seeing a doctor?

What you can do yourself to relieve lower back pain

If the cause of the pain is unknown:

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

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

Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)—diclofenac, ibuprofen, or another medicine.
Applying local cold compresses can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Use a towel or orthopedic band to tighten the waist to hold the injured area in one position.
Consult your doctor for a thorough diagnosis and to determine further treatment strategies.

What not to do when you have low back pain

Under no circumstances should you heat a painful area of your back!Heat increases blood flow, and if inflammation occurs, the situation becomes worse: it increases pain and leads to the spread of infectious processes.For the same reason, you should avoid going to bathhouses and saunas.
If you have persistent and unexplained back problems, you won't be able to get pain relief for long.Ignoring the underlying cause can only exacerbate the disease process and lead to serious complications.
You cannot try to straighten your vertebrae or massage your back roughly on your own.Without diagnosis, such actions can cause the vertebrae to shift and cause unnecessary additional damage.

Which doctor should I consult for lower back pain?

Sometimes, a person is happy to see a specialist but does not know which doctor to contact for complaints of lower back pain.Let's clarify the issue a little bit.

First, you should make an appointment with your GP.He will perform a differential diagnosis and determine which doctor you should continue to receive treatment from.It may be:

Neurologist – examines neurological symptoms and neurological processes involved.
Urologist - if urinary tract (kidney) disease is suspected.
Gynecologist – Treats disorders of the female reproductive system.

Depending on the indication, a complete blood count (CBC) and general urinalysis (UCA), spinal X-rays (especially MRI), pelvic organ, renal ultrasound, and other tests may be performed.

It's important to remember that self-medication and other home remedies for low back pain are a waste of money and time.Additionally, if you put off seeing a specialist, you may run the risk of developing late-stage disease, dooming you to long-term, expensive, and often less successful (compared to earlier stages) treatments.

How to Treat Lower Back Pain: Basic Treatment Methods

You may naturally have a question: If self-medication does not work, how to treat low back pain?A competent specialist has a variety of techniques, including conservative and surgical treatments.

Conservative treatment includes the following:

Oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain relievers.
Physical therapy (shock wave therapy, acupuncture).
Exercise therapy.
Therapeutic massage.
Therapeutic exercise and gymnastics.

Physiotherapy and massage must be performed after the acute phase of the disease and after pain symptoms have subsided.

Advanced cases of spinal disease require surgical treatment when conservative approaches fail to achieve any significant results.However, with prompt diagnosis and correct treatment, the need for surgical intervention can be delayed or completely avoided.

Prevent low back pain

Generally speaking, pain in the back and waist arises due to a careless attitude towards health.After all, sedentary lifestyles, sedentary jobs and the burden of being forced to maintain one posture for long periods of time are typical of many of us.Excessive physical activity without preparation (stretching) and lifting weights with incorrect back position can also be harmful.It’s no wonder that most people in the world suffer from lower back pain.

Doctor's advice on preventing back pain:

Pay attention to your posture and keep your back straight.
Avoid awkward postures in the workplace.You can place a small pillow under your waist to support your back.Give it a try!
When sitting at a desk for a long time, it is recommended to get up from time to time (every hour), preferably to warm up your joints, or you can also walk.
It is recommended to sleep on an orthopedic mattress; it is very firm yet flexible at the same time.
Start your day with exercises that strengthen your back and core muscles.

How to lift weights correctly?

If you need to pick up and carry something heavy, you should bend your knees, not your back.That is, you first need to sit down, bear the load, and then straighten your knees to keep the back line straight.