In reality, low back pain is not a disease but a symptom. Due to the complex anatomy of the lumbar spine and the multiple causes of lower back pain, the symptoms accompanying low back pain can vary widely from person to person. For the same condition, 2 people can describe their pain very differently.

• If the lower back pain comes on suddenly and manifests itself as sudden and intense contraction of muscles, it is usually a sign of muscle injury, ligament sprain, rupture or displacement of a disc. This type of pain typically occurs after a “wrong move” or after carrying a heavy load.

• When the pain descends along the posterior part of one or both legs, it can be a sciatic neuralgia, that is to say a “pinching” of the sciatic nerve. The pain is then exacerbated by coughing, sneezing or straining. This type of pain can also be a sign of herniated disc.
• If the pain in the lower back is more severe the night, it can be caused by pressure from inflammation, a diseased organ, or a tumor.

When to consult a doctor?

In some cases, lower back pain is caused by a serious illness, such as cancer, infection, or a spinal fracture⁴⁴. It is therefore imperative to consult without delay doctor when the lower back pain :

– occur after a trauma (fall or blow to the back for example);

– are constant and intensify, mainly at night;

– occur after prolonged use of corticosteroids;

– radiate to one or both legs;

– cause weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs;

– coincide with the onset of intestinal or urinary problems;

– are accompanied by chest or abdominal pain;

– are associated with urinary incontinence or loss of sensation in the perineum region;

– are accompanied by unexplained weight loss, chills or fever.

– occurs in people under 20 or over 55.

– occurs in a person with cancer, osteoporosis or HIV infection

– occurs in an intravenous drug user.

If there are no these warning signs mentioned above, but the pain remains present a few days after its onset, despite self-treatment (see section Medical treatments), it is also important to consult .