Do you often experience sharp, shooting pains in your lower back? Do simple tasks like bending down to pick something up or sitting for extended periods of time leave you feeling uncomfortable and achy? If so, you’re not alone.

Lower back pain is a common condition that affects many people in Singapore. In fact, studies have shown that up to 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.

What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain refers to any discomfort or pain in the area below your ribcage and above your hips. It can range from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pains and can be caused by various factors such as muscle strain, injury, or underlying health conditions like arthritis.

What causes Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can be caused:

• Muscle strains occur when fibres in a muscle are stretched or torn, often due to overuse or sudden force, leading to pain and limited movement.
• Herniated (slipped) discs refer to a condition where the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing, potentially irritating nearby nerves and causing discomfort or numbness.
• Arthritis involves inflammation of the joints, which can result in pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion in affected areas.
• Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of spaces within the spine, which can put pressure on the nerves travelling through the spine, leading to pain, numbness, or muscle weakness, often in the lower back or neck.

It can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain that affects your daily activities and quality of life. That’s why it is important to seek proper management and treatment for lower back pain, instead of ignoring it and hoping it will go away on its own.

Symptoms

Symptoms of lower back pain may vary from person to person but can include:

• dull or sharp pain in the lower back,
• numbness or tingling in the legs,
• difficulty standing up straight, 
• limited mobility,
• other symptoms of poor health, loss of appetite, weight loss, and chills.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Types of Lower Back Pain

There are two main types of lower back pain – acute and chronic.

• Acute refers to short-term pain, usually caused by a sudden injury or strain. This type of pain typically lasts for a few days or weeks and can be relieved with at-home measures such as rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter medication.
• Chronic is more long-lasting, usually lasting for more than 12 weeks. It may be a result of an underlying condition like arthritis or could be due to previous untreated injuries.

How does Lower Back Pain happen?

The lower back (or lumbar spine) consists of five vertebrae that support the weight of our upper body. These vertebrae are connected by muscles, ligaments, and nerves which work together to provide flexibility and stability to the spine.

Diagnosing Lower Back Pain

In order to properly diagnose the cause of your lower back pain, a doctor may perform physical examinations and imaging tests (such as X-rays or MRI) to get a better understanding of your condition. This will help determine the best course of treatment for your specific case.

Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain

There are several treatment options available for lower back pain, and the appropriate method will depend on the underlying cause and severity of your condition. For more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary, but for most people, non-surgical methods are effective in managing their lower back pain.

• Medications: Medication is prescribed to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with lower back pain. This can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, cox-2 inhibitors, muscle relaxants, and even opioids for short-term relief.
• Physical therapy: An orthopaedic specialist can help improve your flexibility and strength through specific exercises designed to target the muscles in your lower back.
• Injections: In some cases, injections (such as epidurals) may be used to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
• Surgery: For severe cases where other methods have not been effective, surgery may be recommended. This can involve removing a damaged disc or fusing vertebrae together to provide stability to the spine.

When to see a Lower Back Pain Specialist for Lower Back Pain?

It is important to seek medical attention from an orthopaedic specialist if you experience:

• persistent or severe lower back pain lasting more than 3 months
• nerve roots are compressed, leading to:
• weakness or numbness in your legs
• pain on one side of your leg
• pain in leg worsen when bending over or coughing or straining

Conclusion

Lower back pain is a common condition that can significantly impact one’s daily life if left untreated. Consulting with a lower back pain specialist can help you find the right treatment plan for your specific needs and get you on the path to a pain-free life.