Low Back Pain (Lumbago): Affects Up to 80% of People - Causes, Types and When to Seek Help

To lower back painalso known as low back pain, is one of the most frequent complaints in the adult population. It is estimated that around 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Despite being so common, it remains one of the main causes of functional limitation, absenteeism from work and unnecessary worry.

In clinical practice, one of the most important ideas to convey is this: not all low back pain is severe, not all low back pain has the same origin. Understanding what is behind the pain is essential to dealing with it properly.

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What is low back pain?

Low back pain refers to any pain localised in the lower spine, between the base of the ribs and the gluteal area. It can come on suddenly or gradually, be constant or intermittent, and vary greatly in intensity.

It is not always associated with a specific injury. In many cases, it results from a combination of physical, functional and contextual factors, and not just from a “structural problem” identifiable on examination.

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Why is low back pain so common?

The lumbar region is involved in practically every day-to-day movement: sitting, standing, walking, carrying weight, turning the torso. Throughout life, this area is subjected to different types of load, often repeatedly and with little variety.

In addition, factors such as:

• prolonged periods in the same position,

• sedentary lifestyle or excessive load without adaptation,

• stress and accumulated tension,

• lack of adequate recovery,

can contribute to the onset or maintenance of low back pain. On a regular basis, low back pain arises from an accumulation of factors and not just because of “bad posture” or “wear and tear”. Reality is more complex - and more adaptable - than that.

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Types of low back pain: not all are the same

From a clinical point of view, it is useful to distinguish low back pain according to its duration and behaviour.

Acute low back pain

It usually comes on suddenly, often associated with a specific movement or an unusual effort. Although intense, it tends to develop favourably in the first few weeks, especially when there is proper guidance.

Subacute low back pain

When the pain lasts for a few weeks, it may indicate that the body has not yet fully recovered or that some factors continue to perpetuate the problem, such as fear of movement or inadequate load management.

Chronic low back pain

When the pain persists for more than three months, Pain is no longer just a local issue. The nervous system starts to play a more important role, and factors such as stress, sleep, expectations and previous experiences become determining factors in the maintenance of pain.

Each of these situations requires a different approach, which is why generalisations are rarely helpful.

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Low back pain and exams: what's the connection?

Imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in specific contexts, but do not in themselves explain low back pain.

It's common to find changes in the tests of people without any pain and, conversely, negligible tests in people with significant pain. Structures such as discs, joints and muscles undergo natural changes throughout life, not all of which are clinically relevant. In clinical practice, this discrepancy between tests and symptoms is one of the most common situations.

That's why clinical assessment - listening to the history, understanding pain behaviour, analysing movement - is always the starting point. The tests should complement this assessment, not replace it.

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Low back pain and movement: rest or move?

For a long time, rest was the top recommendation for low back pain. Today we know that in most cases, guided movement is a fundamental part of recovery.

Completely avoiding movement can increase stiffness, sensitivity and fear, delaying the recovery process. On the other hand, resuming activity without judgement can also aggravate symptoms.

The aim is not to “force” or “prevent”, but to adapting the movement to the stage the person is in, The programme promotes confidence and gradual progression.

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When should I seek help?

Although many bouts of low back pain are self-limiting, it is advisable to seek clinical assessment when..:

• the pain persists or worsens over time,

• there is pain radiating down the leg accompanied by tingling or weakness,

• the pain significantly interferes with sleep or daily activities,

• there is a fear of moving or returning to normal activities.

A proper assessment helps to clarify the condition, reduce anxiety and guide the recovery process through Osteopathy and the Physiotherapy.

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How we view low back pain in clinical practice

At OsteoSalvador, low back pain is treated individually. Rather than looking for a single cause, the focus is on understanding how the pain manifests itself in that person, what factors influence it and how the body responds to movement.

The approach includes:

• careful clinical assessment,

• enlightenment and education,

• progressive recovery of movement,

• adapting the load to real needs,

• monitoring throughout the process.

The aim is not just to relieve pain, but to help people regain confidence in their bodies and autonomy in their daily lives.

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To summarise

Low back pain is common, but it shouldn't be trivialised or dramatised. In most cases, it has a favourable evolution when it is well understood and monitored. Tests help, but they don't explain everything. Movement, when well orientated, is part of the solution.

Clear information, an individual approach and appropriate progression make all the difference in the recovery journey. If low back pain is limiting your day-to-day life, a proper clinical assessment can help clarify the condition and guide recovery