Low back pain, also called lumbago, is a common condition. It is safe to say that most of us have experienced back pain. Usually, the pain is triggered by physical activities such as daily work, recreation, or even sexual intercourse. Fortunately, most of the cases can go away within a few days. Others take much longer to resolve and may lead to more serious conditions.

There are 2 types of low back pain, acute and chronic. Acute low back pain lasts no longer than a few weeks. Most of them are caused by mechanical trauma such as sports, horseback riding, daily activities at home, or accident. On the other hand, chronic low back pain is very different. The pain persists for more than 2 months and it is often progressive. There is always an underlying cause behind chronic low back pain which should be corrected. Common causes of low back pain are mechanical (such as

fractures, back injury, lifting heavy objects), inflammatory (such as arthritis, infections), malignancy or cancer, metabolic (such as osteoporosis), and psychological causes.

Symptoms of low back pain may range from a simple muscle ache to stabbing and severe pain, limited flexibility or difficulty to stand straight. Sometimes, the pain may originate from a disorder or injury elsewhere in the body. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.

Finding the causes of low back pain can be difficult.

Radiology examinations are often required, from a simple one such as X-Ray to CT-Scan or MRI. Lower back pain can be alleviated with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or

aspirin. If the pain last for more than a month, it may indicate a more serious problem. Consult your

doctor to find the causes and manage

them properly. Invasive procedures such as surgery may be needed in some cases.