Lower Back Pain

Over 80% of the population will suffer from lower back pain during their lives. Most cases of lower back pain can be linked to a general cause—such as muscle strain, injury, or overuse—or can be attributed to a specific condition of the spine, most commonly:

A number of less common conditions can cause low back pain as well, such as sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spinal tumors, fibromyalgia, and piriformis syndrome.

Medical illustration of the lower back and hips. The region is highlighted in red to indicate pain, numbness or tingling.

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A Guide to Lower Left Back Pain

Find out what causes lower left back pain, and when you should seek medical attention.

Medical illustration of the lower spine, highlighted in red indicating pain, numbness or tingling

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A Guide to Lower Right Back Pain

Lower right back pain can be due to an injury to muscle tendons or ligaments, problems with spinal structures, or issues and diseases related to internal organs

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing lower back pain.

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

If an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, or begins to leak blood, it can cause severe, unremitting abdominal and lower back pain and requires emergency surgery to stop the blood loss.

Doctor taking a patient's blood pressure with stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Causes

While there is no single cause, there are several health conditions and lifestyle habits that are known to increase the risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Technician assisting a patient through a CT scan

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms

Symptoms of an abdominal aortic aneurysm include abdominal pain, low back pain, low blood pressure, and symptoms of shock.

Doctors performing surgery in an operating room

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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment

Nonsurgical treatments can be used to slow the development of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, but if the aneurysm ruptures, emergency surgery is required.

Medical illustration of two vertebrae showing bone spurs on the facet joints

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Answers to Common Spondylosis Questions

Patients can better focus their spondylosis treatment by asking their physician questions about which part of the spine is degenerating.

Posterior view of the lower body showing sciatic pain in the legs.

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Axial Back Pain: Most Common Low Back Pain

Axial pain is usually non-specific – meaning that the anatomical structure responsible for the pain need not be identified because symptoms usually resolve.

Posterior view of the lower back highlighting the pain in the lumbar spine.

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Back Care for Lower Back Pain

Since most episodes of lower back pain are self-limited, it is often advisable for patients to employ back care on their own early in the course of low back pain.