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Causes. Back pain often develops without a cause that shows up in a test or an imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include: Muscle or ligament strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help. Home treatment and proper body mechanics often can treat back pain within a few weeks.
A common cause of back pain is injury to a muscle or ligament. These strains and sprains can occur for many reasons, including improper lifting, poor posture and lack of regular exercise. Being overweight may increase the risk of back strains and sprains.
Get medical care immediately if you have severe low back pain that: Is constant or intense; Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs; Is associated with new bowel or bladder problems; Is accompanied by fever; Is associated with pain or throbbing in the abdomen; Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Sacroiliitis (say-kroe-il-e-I-tis) is a painful condition that affects one or both sacroiliac joints. These joints sit where the lower spine and pelvis meet. Sacroiliitis can cause pain and stiffness in the buttocks or lower back, and the pain might go down one or both legs.
Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway. It's especially likely to follow a path from the low back to the buttock and the back of a thigh and calf. The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain. Sometimes it feels like a jolt or electric shock.
Spinal stenosis in the lower back can cause pain or cramping in one or both legs. This happens when you stand for a long time or when you walk. Symptoms get better when you bend forward or sit.
A problem in any part of the spine can cause back pain. For some people, back pain is simply an annoyance. For others, it can be excruciating and disabling. Most back pain, even severe back pain, goes away on its own within six weeks — especially for people under age 60. Surgery usually isn't suggested for back pain.
If your herniated disk is in your lower back, you'll typically feel pain in your lower back, buttocks, thigh and calf. You might have pain in part of your foot as well. For a herniated disk in your neck, you'll typically feel the most pain in your shoulder and arm.
Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis might include back pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Neck pain and fatigue also are common.