Lumbago is the general term referring to low back pain, and the two terms are often used interchangeably.
In This Article:
- Understanding Low Back Pain (Lumbago)
- Diagnosing the Cause of Lower Back Pain
- Axial Back Pain: Most Common Low Back Pain
- Low Back Pain with Referred Pain
- Lumbar Radiculopathy
- Video: What is Lumbago?
Principles of Lumbago

A range of conditions can affect different parts of the lumbar spine, causing pain.
Before discussing the specific types of low back pain, it is important to understand a few important principles.
Pain does not always reflect the extent of the damage
The severity of pain from low back problems is often unrelated to the extent of physical damage present. For example, a simple pulled muscle in the low back can cause excruciating pain that can limit one’s ability to walk or even stand, whereas even a large herniated disc can be completely painless.
Diagnosis is often difficult
There are many anatomical structures in the low back that can cause severe lower back pain and/or pain that radiates into the legs and/or feet. These include:
- Soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments and tendons
- Bones, which provide the structural building blocks of the spinal column
- Facet joints, which allow the spine move
- Discs (the outer rim of the disc, the annulus, can be a source of significant low back pain due to its rich nerve supply and tendency towards getting damaged)
- Nerves, which branch out from the spinal cord in the low back and innervate the legs and feet
All of the above structures are interwoven to make up the structure of the spine. During embryological development, there is a great deal of overlap of nerve supply to all of these structures making it nearly impossible for the brain to distinguish between problems with one structure versus another. For example, a torn or herniated disc can feel identical to a bruised muscle or torn ligament.
Factors that Affect the Diagnosis

Understanding lower back pain and its distribution helps identify the underlying cause(s) accurately.
The underlying causes of low back pain can be complex and are not always readily apparent. When determining the underlying cause of lower back pain, two main factors help guide the physician in making a preliminary diagnosis:
- The type of low back pain – meaning a description of how the pain feels, what makes it better or worse when it occurs, and
- The area of pain distribution – meaning where the pain is felt, if it is confined to the low back, or if the accompanying leg pain is worse than the low back pain, or if the pain radiates elsewhere in the body.
See Lower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Diagnostic accuracy is important
Getting an accurate diagnosis as to the underlying cause of one’s pain is important if there are warning signs or “Red Flags” present. These would include weakness of the legs, significant numbness, loss of bowel or bladder control, fevers or chills or significant unexplained weight loss. If these symptoms are not present, then conservative treatment may commence without the need for obtaining an immediate diagnosis with an MRI.
Finally, it is important to note that - unlike many other medical conditions - the experience of low back pain tends to be different for many people. For example, two people can have the exact same condition, but for one it is incapacitating and for the other it is a mere nuisance. In fact, for most people a spinal abnormality (such as a degenerated disc that can be seen on an MRI scan) is painless. In addition, other factors – psychological, emotional, and financial – often contribute to and influence a person’s experience of low back pain.

The lower back supports the weight of the upper body and provides mobility for everyday motions, such as walking, bending, and twisting. Lower back pain may result from lumbar spine problems.
What are the common causes of chronic lower back pain?
Low back pain that lasts for more than 3 months often involves a disc problem, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve root. Common spine-related causes include:
- Compression Fracture
- Facet Joint Dysfunction
- Spondylolisthesis
Additional conditions include lumbar herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis.
What are the common symptoms associated with lower back pain?
- LOCALIZED PAIN. A dull ache or sharp pain that tends to be localized to the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes the hips.
- LEG PAIN. A sharp, electric, burning-type pain (sciatica) that may be associated with numbness or weakness and is typically felt on only one side of the body.
- POSTURE-INDUCED PAIN. Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing, or after changing positions such as by bending forward, twisting, and/or lying down.
How is lower back pain treated?
Nonsurgical Treatments
A doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following nonsurgical or self-care options:
- Physical Therapy
- Ice or Heat Therapy
- Epidural Steroid
- Injections Medication
- Manual Manipulation
Surgical Treatments
Spinal surgery may be recommended in case of a medical emergency or for severe lower back pain that does not get better after 6 to 12 weeks of nonsurgical treatments.
- Microdiscectomy or Laminectomy
- Lumbar Spinal Fusion
- Artificial Disc Replacement
This information is not intended or implied as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images or other information provided is intended for general information purposes only. Always consult with your physician for diagnosis or treatment.