Lower Back Pain

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Lower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Peer-Reviewed Article

Low back pain can come from a variety of causes and presents certain common symptoms.

Vertebrae of the spine showing pain at the facet joints

Overview

Close up of two vertebrae showing pain in the disc between.

Lumbar Radiculopathy

Superior view of a herniated disc.

Osteomyelitis, a Spinal Infection

Anterior view of pelvis showing cauda equina which is a bundle of nerve fibers at the bottom of the spinal cord.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Medical illustration of the lower spine and hips, showing bones and nerves

Lower Right Back Pain: Tissues & Spinal Structures

Medical illustration of a skeleton's torso. The liver location is highlighted in red

Lower Left Back Pain from Internal Organs

Posterior view of the lower back showing the muscles.

Pulled Back Muscle and Lower Back Strain

Posterior view of the cervical and thoracic spine.

Back Pain and Sex

Posterior view of the pelvis highlighting L5 and S1.

Understanding Low Back Pain (Lumbago)

Spondylosis: What It Actually Means

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

A Guide to Lower Right Back Pain

Posterior view of the bones in the lower back

Lower Left Back Pain from Spinal Structures

Low Back Pain in Older Adults

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

Axial Back Pain: Most Common Low Back Pain

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

Answers to Common Spondylosis Questions

Posterior view of pelvis labeling the coccyx (tailbone).

Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)

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

A Guide to Lower Left Back Pain

Degenerative scoliosis in the vertebra.

The Myths and Reality of Back Pain and Back Problems

Posterior view of the pelvis showing compression in the sciatic nerve.

Low Back Pain with Referred Pain

Young woman gazing off thoughtfully

Juvenile Disc Disorder

Posterior view of the lumbar spine showing lower back pain.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Medical illustration of kidney stones

Lower Right Back Pain from Internal Organs

Medical illustration of the lumbar spine showing movement between the vertebrae which often leads to crepitus

The Truth About Back Cracking and Grinding

Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain and Damaged End Plate

Vertebrogenic Pain: Everything You Need to Know

Video

Person stretching, strengthening and aerobic conditioning.

Treatment for Back Pain Flare-Ups Video

Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain) Video

Posterior view of the muscles in the low back.

Lower Back Pain Causes and Symptoms Video

Pain in the low back

Video: What is Lumbago?

Muscle strain in the lower back

Causes of Back Muscle Spasms Video

Lower Back Pain Treatment Video

Posterior view of the spinal cord and nerve roots in the lumbar spine.

Cauda Equina Syndrome Video

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

Lower Back Strain Video

Man releasing his endorphins while sitting on the beach meditating.

Video: 6 Overlooked Remedies for Lower Back Pain Relief

Man discussing a response to an underlying anatomical problem.

Video: What Is Your Back Muscle Spasm Telling You?

Posterior view of muscles in the back.

Video: Understanding Different Types of Back Pain

Woman taking a breath on an outdoor walk.

How to Relieve a Back Muscle Spasm Video

Posterior view of vertebrogenic pain in the low back.

Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain Animation

Muscle spasm in the lower back

Lower Back Muscle Strain or Sprain Video

Gluteus maximus muscle in the buttocks

Got Buttock Pain? Discover What’s Causing It and How to Fix It Video

Pain in the lumbar spine

What Is Non-Specific, Mechanical Low Back Pain? Video

Symptoms

Superior view of a vertebra.

Osteomyelitis Symptoms

Vertebrae of the spine showing pain at the facet joints

Lower Back Pain Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Doctor speaking with a patient in a hospital bed.

Back Pain Red-Flags for Emergency Room vs. Physician Consults

Medical illustration of the coccyx

Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain) Symptoms

Ambulance driving fast down a road

3 Lower Right Back Pain Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Symptoms of Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain

Symptoms of Vertebrogenic Pain

Technician assisting a patient through a CT scan

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Symptoms

Posterior view of the lower back showing muscles of the lumbar spine.

What Is Your Back Muscle Spasm Telling You?

Illustration of the muscles of the lower back

Lower Back Muscle Strain Symptoms

Medical illustration showing the cauda equina nerve roots in the lumbar spine

Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms

Posterior view of the lower body with the sciatic nerve highlighted in red, indicating pain, numbness or tingling

Lower Back Pain Symptoms

Red Flag Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain

Red Flag Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain Infographic

Causes and Diagnosis

Osteomyelitis Diagnosis

Posterior view of the skeletal system at the pelvis showing pain in the tailbone.

Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain) Causes

Doctor reviewing x-rays with senior male patient

3 Causes of Back and Testicular Pain

Posterior view of the lower back highlighting the lumbar spine.

5 Ways Motion Causes Low Back Pain

Medical illustration of the lumbar spine showing bone spurs on the facet joints

What Causes Sharp Lower Back Pain?

Low back pain radiating throughout the lumbar spine.

Diagnosing Lower Back Pain

View of thoracic spine and ribs

Myths about Causes of Back Pain and Back Problems

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

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Causes

Medical illustration of a microtear is the muscles of the lumbar spine.

Causes and Diagnosis of Lower Back Strain

Man standing at his desk, grabbing his lower back in pain

Severe Lower Back Pain When Sitting or Bending

Posterior skeletal view highlighting the Coccyx (tailbone)

Understanding the Causes of Tailbone Pain

Infographic of 4 Common Causes of Stiff Back

4 Common Causes of a Stiff Back Infographic

Medical illustration of the bones and nerves in the hips and pelvis. The saddle area is highlighted and labeled.

Causes of Cauda Equina Syndrome

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

Causes of Lower Back Pain

Man holding chest with heartburn

Can GERD Cause Back Pain?

Close up view of a medical illustration of the lumbar spine. The facet joints are highlighted in red.

4 Reasons You May Have a Stiff Back

$Profile view of fractured vertebra$

When Back Pain May Be a Medical Emergency

Diagnosing the Cause of Lower Back Pain

Posterior view of pelvis highlighting the coccyx (tailbone).

Diagnosis of Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)

Illustration showing an intercostal muscle tear

What Causes Back Pain and Shortness of Breath?

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is responsible for 15% to 30% of lower back pain cases

This Overlooked Pelvis Problem Might Be Causing Your Lower Back Pain

Medical illustration of the torso and upper legs. The hips and buttocks are highlighted in red indicating pain.

Why Does My Lower Back and Hip Hurt?

Treatment

Simple remedies low back pain

With Low Back Pain, Simple Remedies Are Often Best

Treatment for Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)

Anterior view of lumbar spine with disc material removed.

Surgery for Lower Back Pain

Two women and a man sitting on yoga mats in an exercise studio

Exercises for Lower Back Muscle Strain

Medical illustration of the muscles of the lower back

How to Treat Lower Right Back Muscle Strain

Posterior view of the side sleeping showing the spine straining on a stack of pillows.

7 Ways to Relieve Back Pain Naturally

Doctors performing surgery in an operating room

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Treatment

Xray of lumbar epidural steroid injection contrast dye going into the lumbar spine.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Tens unit being applied to the lower back.

Electrotherapy: The Lower Back Pain Treatment You've Never Heard Of

Woman doing a wall hamstring stretch against a couch.

6 Overlooked Remedies for Lower Back Pain Relief

Illustration of microtears in the lower back muscles

Immediate Treatment for a Back Muscle Strain

Lower Back Strain

5 Back Care Mistakes to Avoid

Medical illustration of the spinal cord going through the spinal column. It is highlighted in red to indicate pain, numbness or tingling.

Treatments for Cauda Equina Syndrome

Doctor consulting a senior female patient

How to Treat Lower Back Pain Caused by Stress

Man grasping lower back on running trail

Exercising with Lower Back Pain: Should You Work through the Pain?

Medical illustration of the lower spine. The muscles are highlighted, to indicate muscle strain

First Aid for Intense Pain from a Pulled Lower Back Muscle

Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain and Pain Signals

Treatment for Vertebrogenic Back Pain

Two vertebrae with artificial disc between them.

Osteomyelitis Treatments

Posterior view of pelvis showing the coccyx.

Coccygectomy Surgery for Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)

Pharmacist and customer having a consultation.

Top 3 Over-the-Counter Remedies for Back Pain (Plus a Fourth)

Posterior view fo the lower back focused on the pain in the low back muscles.

Pulled Back Muscle Treatment

Woman applying a hot pack to her lower back

Should I Use Ice or Heat for My Lower Back Pain?

Assortment of cold therapy treatments

General Remedies for Low Back Pain in Older Adults

Wellness

Yoga class doing the seated prayer pose

3 Beginner Yoga Poses for Lower Back Pain Relief

7 Tips to Protect Your Lower Back