HealthLine99

Simple lower back pain: This is the most common cause of lower back pain. In this category no underlying cause of Back pain is found but pain usually starts suddenly and can be mild to moderate which may have some precipitating causes or may not have. What can be the probable causes? There are numerous problems affecting spine as well as ligaments and other structures nearby spine. The problem can be ranging from minor strain to ligament to temporary and minor disc movement or facet joint damage. But in all cases pathology is vey difficult to prove clinically or radiologically and hence the symptomatic treatment remains the main stream. This pain tends to improve quickly and youmay not need any treatment but in case of severe pain it is advisable to take rest and pain killers to avoid further damage and quick healing.

Nerve root pain: This is not that common as simple back pain but in these case pathology involves two main structures one is Spine and another is nerves coming from spinal cord. When a nerves of spinal cord is irritated mechanically due to any problem affecting spine, it gives pain in the area where it supplies and hence the pain is usually not at back but may be at lower level. Sciatica is a classic example og this and though the compression is at spinal cord level pain usually occurs at calf and thighs. In this case pain can be very severe and any movement can give you severe pain. Rest is advisable. In severe cases other sensations may also gets affected like touch and body parts supplied may get numb and weak. Usual causes are inflammation, slipped disc or tumors compressing spinal cord roots.

Other causes of lower back pain: Arthritis (inflammation of the joints), Osteoarthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoporosis, tumours, trauma, infections, and pressure from structures near to the spine occasionally cause back pain.