Lumbago is a generalized term for low back pain without stating a specific cause. Lumbago is one of the single most common noninfectious reasons for sick leave and disability in the workplace. The lower back (lumbar spine) is extremely susceptible to muscle strains, ligament sprains, degenerative conditions, and other injuries because it is a very flexible region of the spine which supports nearly half of the body’s weight. Acute lumbago can occur suddenly after sustaining a traumatic injury, over stretching muscles, or sports activity. . In its more severe forms, lower back pain may become chronic, involving months or years of discomfort and immobility.
Possible Causes of Lumbago
Lumbago causes can include poor posture, a difference in leg length, spinal tumors, depression, Paget’s disease, spinal arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and facet disease, among others. Pain is usually the result of some anatomical abnormality in the lower back infringing upon a nearby spinal nerve. Because the spinal nerves of the lower back, such as those forming the sciatic nerve, innervate the entire lower half of the body, neural compression can be painful and far-reaching. For instance, a herniated disc between the L4 and L5 vertebrae can compress a spinal nerve contributing to the sciatic nerve, sending symptoms of tingling, numbness, and weakness through the buttocks and legs.
Conservative Treatments for Lumbago
If your doctor has confirmed a diagnosis of lumbago due to neural compression from conditions like a bulging disc, herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, or bone spurs, he or she will most likely suggest a course of conservative treatment that involves pain medication, hot-cold therapy, physical therapy, and behavior modification.
Nonsurgical methods may be inadequate to provide satisfactory reliev of symptoms. It this case surgery may be prescribed.. If this is the case, contact Laser Spine Institute. We specialize in minimally invasive nerve root decompression procedures that have helped tens of thousands of people recover their health without more invasive open back surgery.
