Signs & Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain

Chronic lower back pain is one of the top reasons people make appointments to see their doctor. There are many signs and symptoms of chronic back pain, and some of them have nothing to do with the back.

Identification

• Chronic back pain can be the result of damage to the spine, compression on the nerves in the spinal column, or even conditions that may affect the organs in the abdominal area. Some of the signs and symptoms of chronic back pain are obvious, but there are some signs you may have not considered.

Lumbar Strain

• Overexerting the lower back through activity or continuous stretching of the tendons and muscles in the lower back can result in lumbar strain. The signs of lumbar strain include discomfort in the lower back and varying degrees of muscle spasm in the back that can be painful enough to prevent you from being able to stand or sit for extended periods.

Referred Pain

• In some cases, the pain felt in the back may be what is known as referred pain. Referred pain originates in one part of the body but is felt in another part. Conditions that originate in the abdomen and cause severe abdominal pain, such as appendicitis and urinary bladder infections, can also cause severe and chronic pain in the lower back. For women, pelvic infections and reproductive disorders can also show up as chronic lower back pain.

Spinal Discs

• Discs in the lower back can become damaged, or lose their elasticity over time, and start to bulge past the spinal column and put pressure on the spinal cord or other nerves in the lower region of the body. One of these nerves is the sciatic nerve, which runs from the waist, down through the thighs, to the ankles and feet. A protruding disc putting pressure on this nerve will cause severe pain in the waist and legs, create a numbing sensation, and possibly lead to a lack of mobility. These are all serious lower back symptoms that need medical attention immediately.

Expert Insight

• According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, chronic lower back pain is the second-highest-rated reason people visit the doctor for recurring conditions. Some of the factors that can increase the likelihood that someone will experience lower back pain are obesity, cigarette smoking, poor physical fitness habits, and a history of chronic drug abuse.