What are the 5 categories of low back pain?

30-05-2024

Low back pain is a common ailment that can be classified into several categories based on the underlying cause, duration, and nature of the pain. Here are the five primary categories of low back pain

Mechanical Low Back Pain:

• Description: This is the most common type of low back pain and is often related to the structures of the spine such as muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs, or facet joints.
• Causes: Poor posture, heavy lifting, sudden awkward movements, or degenerative changes in the spine like osteoarthritis.
• Symptoms: Pain is typically localized to the lower back and may be aggravated by movement or prolonged periods of sitting or standing.

Radicular Pain (Sciatica):

• Description: Radicular pain occurs when there is irritation or compression of a spinal nerve root.
• Causes: Herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis .
• Symptoms: Sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the lower back down into the leg, often accompanied by numbness or tingling.

Non-Mechanical Back Pain:

• Description: This category includes pain not primarily caused by spine movement or mechanical factors.
• Causes: Infections (e.g., osteomyelitis, discitis), inflammatory conditions (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis), or malignancies (e.g., spinal tumors).
• Symptoms: Pain may be constant and unrelated to movement. It can also be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as fever, unexplained weight loss, or night sweats.

Referred Pain:

• Description: Referred pain in the lower back originates from another location in the body.
• Causes: Conditions affecting the kidneys (e.g., kidney stones or infections), pancreas, or other abdominal organs.
• Symptoms: Dull, achy pain that is not exacerbated by spinal movements and may be accompanied by other symptoms related to the underlying condition.

Chronic Pain:

• Description: Chronic low back pain persists for more than 12 weeks and can continue even after the initial cause has been treated.
• Causes: Often multifactorial, including previous injuries, degenerative disc disease, or psychological factors such as depression and anxiety.
• Symptoms: Persistent pain that can vary in intensity and is often accompanied by limited mobility and reduced quality of life.

Understanding these categories helps in diagnosing the specific type of low back pain and developing an appropriate treatment plan. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and relief of low back pain.