WHAT IS LOWER BACK PAIN?
Lower back pain affects a large proportion of the population at some time in their lives. Back pain can be suffered acutely (recent) or can be chronic (long term). Lower back pain presents as a pain or ache in the lower region of the back and can include Glute pain. Instability or stiffness of the Sacroiliac joints can also give lower back pain. Disc prolapse and facet joint dysfunction are also other causes of back pain.
HOW DOES LOWER BACK PAIN OCCUR?
Lower back pain can come on suddenly or gradually. It is often caused by a faulty recruitment pattern in the muscle system thereby de-stabilising the Lumbar spine and causing certain muscles to become tight and over worked. Over exertion or twisting of the lower back can exacerbate the condition or cause spinal disc injury. Due to the complex structure of your lower back even small amounts of damage to any part of the lumbar region can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK PAIN:
Pain can be a symptom of stress or damage to ligaments, tendons or discs of the lower back. Pain can be localised in the lower back but can often refer down the legs and round in to the groin region. If a nerve in your back is pinched or irritated, the pain can spread to the buttocks and/or lower limb. A common condition of this is sciatica.