The type and severity of the back pain will depend
on the condition that's causing the pain. However, various causes
of back pain may produce similar symptoms.
Low back pain may come on suddenly or gradually
- When low back pain is intense or "acute," it
usually lasts a brief period such as a few days to several
weeks.
- Low back pain lasting longer than three months is termed
"chronic."
- Low back pain may or may not radiate down into the leg.
Pain from injury to the muscles or ligaments
of the back is usually confined to the back, and depending
on the cause may or may not be aggravated by bending the back.
Pain from pressure on the sciatic nerve due
to a herniated disc, or any condition that compresses the nerve,
may be felt as:
- Mild pain in the hip or part of the leg, or tingling in
these regions
- A sharp pain down part of the leg, with numbness in certain
parts of the leg.
- Pain that gets worse with sneezing or coughing.
- Pain that is usually located on one side, but may radiate
down both legs if the disc is pressing on the nerve roots
to both legs.
- The pain may be worsened by sitting or standing for long
periods
These symptoms may accompany back pain - or they
may be felt without any accompanying back pain at all. These symptoms
are commonly called "sciatica" - pain radiating into
the hip or down the leg - due to the pressure on the nerve roots
that make up the sciatic nerve, the great nerve of the leg.
With spinal stenosis (the condition in which
the spinal canal is narrowed and the area in the spine where the
nerves pass through may be tight), the pain is often felt in both
legs as well, particularly when walking. It is sometimes improved
when bending forward.
Nice To Know:
Compression in the lower parts of the spinal canal
(the cauda equina) by a disc can be serious. Emergency surgery
may be required to decompress the nerves. Symptoms may include:
- Mild low back pain
- A feeling of numbness in the buttocks or thighs
- An inability to control urine or stools
Provided by YourMedicalSource.com
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