Acute lower back pain is a common concern of people, affecting up to 80% of the American population. Around 50% experience more than one episode of back pain. Acute lower back pain is not considered a disease. It is rather a symptom that occurs from different processes. In fact, in around 70% of people with lower back pain, no specific cause can be identified despite thorough medical examinations. Nevertheless, there are some reasons or incidences that trigger the pain to attack. Read on and know some of them.

Injuries or diseases in the muscles, spinal nerves, and bones are some of the reasons or factors that trigger acute lower back pain. It could also be triggered by abnormalities in the chest, abdomen, pelvis, or other organs, all of which are characterized by the pain in the back. Lower back pain may also be caused by bladder infections, ovarian disorders, pelvic infections, aneurysm, appendicitis, kidney diseases, and other intra-abdominal disorders. Even pregnant women can experience acute lower back pain. Back pain in pregnancy is due to irritation of the nerves, strain and pressure placed on the lower back, and stretching of the pelvis ligaments. All these are important factors that will help in the evaluation and diagnosis of your condition.

Another probable reason for acute lower back pain is nerve impingement, which is said to be caused by the herniation of the disc located between the lower back bones. One example of nerve root impingement is sciatica, which causes acute lower back pain that affects a specific area in the back with associated numbness in the leg area supplied by the affected nerve. You may also experience acute lower back pain due to spondylosis that occurs when the intervertebral discs lose its volume and moisture with age, thereby decreasing the height of the disc. Even minor physical trauma in similar circumstances may also cause nerve impingement and inflammation, thereby producing classic sciatica without rupturing the disc.

Spinal stenosis may also be characterized by lower back pain symptoms, with pain running down to both lower extremities especially when walking or standing for a long time. Another reason for acute lower back pain is a medical emergency called cauda equine syndrome. This condition occurs when there is a direct compression of the spinal cord. Myofascial pain is also associated with back pain symptoms including tenderness in localized areas, immobility of the muscle groups involved, as well as a type of pain restricted to the peripheral nerves.

Other factors that trigger acute lower back pain are osteomyelitis, fibromyalgia, tumors, and nerve inflammation. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain and tenderness throughout the body, generalized stiffness, fatigue, lower back pain, and muscle aches. Osteomyelitis is characterized by stiffness and pain in the spine. Cancerous tumors are said to be characterized by acute lower back pain. Spinal nerve inflammation is caused by spinal nerve infection from the virus known as herpes zoster. This condition is characterized by shingles in spine and lower and upper back pain.

The conditions mentioned above are some of the factors that trigger acute lower back pain. It is never right to make assumptions, so if you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult with your doctor immediately.

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