Overview
Lower back pain affects up to 80% of people at some point in their lives and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. In most cases, it is not caused by a serious condition and improves with time and self-management. However, for some people it becomes chronic and significantly impacts quality of life.
Types of Lower Back Pain
- Acute back pain — lasts less than 6 weeks, usually improves on its own
- Subacute back pain — lasts 6–12 weeks
- Chronic back pain — lasts more than 12 weeks
- Specific back pain — caused by an identifiable condition (herniated disc, spinal stenosis, fracture)
- Non-specific back pain — no clear structural cause (the most common type)
Common Causes
- Muscle or ligament strain
- Poor posture and sedentary behaviour
- Herniated (slipped) disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Osteoarthritis of the spine
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Kidney problems (referred pain)
Treatment
- Stay active — rest is not recommended; gentle movement helps
- Pain relief — paracetamol, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants
- Hot or cold packs
- Physiotherapy and exercise
- Psychological support — CBT for chronic pain
- Epidural steroid injections for nerve pain
- Surgery — rarely needed (only for specific structural causes)
Red Flags
See a doctor urgently if back pain is accompanied by bladder or bowel problems, weakness or numbness in the legs, unexplained weight loss, fever, or follows a significant injury.