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The most common symptoms

by — Last updated: 2017-08-15 in Musculoskeletal Issues

Table of Contents

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most people are not aware that low back pain is one of the most common symptoms patients complain of when visiting a physician.


Beside the pain in the lower back parts, patients often experience several other symptoms such as:
 

  • Pain that lasts longer than one month
  • Numbness
  • Muscle weakness
  • Accident or injury
  • Fever
  • Weight loss

Risk factors for developing low back pain

You are at a particular risk for low back pain if you:
 

  • Work on construction or have another job requiring heavy lifting, lots of bending and twisting, or whole body vibration  
  • Have a bad posture
  • Are pregnant
  • Are over age 30
  • Smoke, don't exercise, or are overweight
  • Have arthritis or osteoporosis
  • Have a low pain threshold
  • Feel stressed or depressed


Back pain from organs in the pelvis or elsewhere include:
 

  • Bladder infection
  • Kidney stone
  • Endometriosis
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Testicular torsion

Diagnosis of low back pain

Diagnostic tests aren't usually necessary to confirm the back pain. However, several tests could help localize the pain, determine to what degree a patient is able to move without the pain and whether he has muscle spasms. They will also help rule out the more serious causes of back pain.

X-ray

This method is still very good for diagnosing the common back pain causes associated with bones. The X-ray images show the alignment of your bones and whether you have a degenerative joint disease or broken bones. The problem is that these X-ray images won't directly show the problems in your spinal cord, muscles, fibrous tissues (fascia), nerves or disks.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans

These are probably the best possible diagnostic tools for low back pain. These scans can generate images that may reveal herniated disks or problems with bones, muscles, tissue, tendons, nerves, ligaments and blood vessels.

Bone scan

In rare cases, the bone scan may be used in order to detect the bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the bones caused by the lack of calcium, aging and some hormonal changes. During the procedure, patient receives an injection of a small amount of a radioactive substance (tracer) into one of the veins.

Nerve studies (electromyography, or EMG)

This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of your muscles. Studies of nerve-conduction pathways can confirm nerve compression caused by herniated disks or narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis). It is also a very good and effective diagnostic tool!

Prevention measures

Exercise is important for preventing any kind of back pain. Regular low-impact aerobic activities which don't strain or jolt your back can increase strength and endurance in your back and allow your muscles to function better. Both abdominal and back muscle exercises help condition these muscles so that they work together as a natural support of the back. Flexibility in the hips and upper legs aligns pelvic bones to improve the feelings in the back.
      Through exercise you can:

  • Improve your posture
  • Strengthen your back and improve flexibility
  • Lose weight
  • Avoid falls


Quit smoking. Smokers have diminished oxygen levels in their spinal tissues, which can slow down the healing process.

Healthy weight. It is logical that being overweight puts an unnecessary strain on your back muscles. If you're overweight, trimming down can prevent the back pain.
 

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