Back: Low back pain
What is lower back pain?
Low back pain can result from most often different injuries to muscles or tendons in the back. In some cases, pain can make it difficult or impossible to walk, sleep, work or do everyday activities. Usually, lower back pain gets better with osteopathic treatment, exercise and rest which help the healing process. In ca. 90% of cases, there is no sure explanation for the pain in the form of diseases or injuries to the back. In 5-10% of cases the nerve root can be affected due to a herniated disc or due to osteoarthritis of the small oblique joints (facet joints) in the back. In the case of nerve root involvement, there is radicular leg pain in a radicular pattern and there may be a reduction in strength and sensitivity of the skin in this area.
Around 4/5 people have lower back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain together with neck pain is one of the most common reasons people visit healthcare providers.
