Telltale Signs Your Lower Back Pain May Be Serious

“It’s probably nothing.” If you’re experiencing lower back pain, don’t write off your symptoms. Just because lower back pain is common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it seriously. It’s important to listen to your body and seek medical attention if necessary.

540 million people worldwide experience lower back pain at some point, but remember that it has many different underlying causes. If you’re feeling an ache in your back, it’s important to find out what’s going on. Check out our telltale signs that your lower back pain may be serious.

Symptoms of lower back pain

Lower back pain is easy to spot. Generally speaking, it’s characterized by achy, shooting or stabbing pain that’s worsened by bending or walking and that’s improved by resting. You may also feel pain that extends down your legs.

Telltale signs of a serious underlying condition

Under most circumstances, lower back pain will improve on its own by following self-care. However, it’s good to know the telltale signs for a more serious condition. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately and get your lower back pain examined. Here are the top telltale signs that your lower back pain is serious:

• Your back pain results from an injury: An injury caused by playing spots, a car accident or a fall could cause your spine to become compressed or a disc to rupture.
• You have a fever: A fever is almost always a sign of something more serious than a sprain. You could have a herniated disc or an infection. In addition, when accompanied by severe pain, a fever could be a sign of kidney stones or endometriosis.
• You lose control of bladder and bowel movements: The combination of lower back pain and bowel control loss could mean you have cauda equina syndrome, an urgent medical condition caused by disc material contacting your nerves.
• Your back pain extends to your legs: When your lower back pain radiates down to your legs, it means your spinal nerves are being affected. You could have sciatica or spinal stenosis, which both cause numbness and sensory loss.
• You are in severe pain that isn’t relieved by rest: Any time you have severe pain, you should seek medical attention, as you may have a more serious back condition.

An overview of serious lower back conditions

Let’s now turn to the underlying conditions of these serious symptoms. As we mentioned, the most common cause of lower back pain is a sprain or strain, which causes your tendons, ligaments and/or muscles to tear or overstretch. This usually happens after overstretching, lifting something heavy or twisting in some way. While sprains and strains are painful, luckily they usually are resolved by self-care.

Serious conditions, on the other hand, require medical attention. Let’s go over these conditions by group, so you have a better idea of what may be causing your lower back pain:

Disc and vertebrae conditions

• Bulging disc: A bulging disc results when the disc leaves its normal placement, usually due to pressure, trauma or decay.
• Herniated disc: A herniated disc is similar, but this time the disc becomes separated from its spongy interior. This “gel” becomes dislocated and makes painful contact with the spine.
• Spondylolisthesis: This condition involves a vertebra slipping out of the lower spine and pinching nerves.
• Cauda equina syndrome: This syndrome is rare but urgent. It happens when disc material puts pressure on lumbar nerve roots, causing bladder and bowel symptoms. It’s considered a medical emergency, because neurological damage can occur.

Spinal nerve conditions

• Sciatica: Sciatica is a common condition that results from pressure on the sciatic nerve, which travels down your legs to your feet. It causes a shocking pain and muscle weakness. Usually it’s caused by a disc, but sometimes it can be triggered by a tumor or cyst.
• Spinal stenosis: This condition happens when pressure is placed on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to numbness and pain in your legs.
• Radiculopathy: A result of spinal stenosis, radiculopathy happens when the spinal nerve is compressed or injured, causing numbness.

Aging conditions

• Disc degeneration: This condition happens during aging processes. When discs begin to decay with age, they lose their cushioning and rub together painfully. You could have a high risk of disc degeneration as you get older and if you have arthritis.
• Arthritis: Arthritis – whether osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis – is a condition of joint decay and weakness. This condition can cause lower back pain by decayed joints rubbing together and causing structural weakness.
• Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is bone disease. It causes strength loss and bones to become brittle. Without the necessary support, you can experience lower back pain.

Other conditions

• Physical injury: An injury, such as a car accident, could cause spinal compression and lower back pain.
• Infections: An infection of the vertebrae, discs or spinal joints could cause lower back pain that gets worse if not treated.
• Tumors: In very rare cases, pressure from a tumor in your back or cancer in other areas of your body can cause lower back pain.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms: This urgent medical crisis happens when the large blood vessel to your abdomen enlarges. This pressure can cause lower back pain and may be sign that the vessel will soon rupture.
• Kidney stones: Kidney stones can cause lower back pain, especially on one side.
• Endometriosis: Endometriosis, the buildup of uterine tissue outside the uterus, can cause lower back pain.
• Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of pain and fatigue that may manifest as lower back pain.

It’s clear: you must pay attention to your lower back pain. If you have any urgent symptoms, or suspect you have a serious condition, it’s important that you consult a doctor.

How to prevent lower back pain

You may not be able to prevent a serious condition, but you can try to prevent or reduce lower back pain in the future. By following these tips, you’ll get a healthier back and reduce the likelihood of lower back conditions:

• Exercise daily, especially your core: Core strength is extremely important for your lower back, as it supports your weight. By building your core and postural muscles, you’ll be better able to handle spinal movement and lifting.
• Do warm-up and cool-down exercises: Warm-up exercises help relax your muscles so they don’t tense up. Remember to stretch on a daily basis to keep your joints loose and fluid.
• Pay attention to your posture and sleeping position: Stand up straight and try to keep your body in alignment. Slouching can take a toll on your lower back, as it puts more pressure on it.
• Don’t move things in unhealthy ways: Don’t lift heavy items. When you do need to lift something, engage your core and bend your knees.
• Drink more water, eat less processed food: Water is essential to keep your spine hydrated and happy. Drink up and try to avoid processed foods, which can inflame your back.
• Go practical with your fashion: Avoid placing extra weight on your lower back. Try to avoid wearing heels for long periods and make sure your backpack isn’t too heavy. Be sure your wallet isn’t causing twisting movements either.
• Make your workstation back-friendly: The way you sit during the day is important. Be sure your computer screen and keyboard are in easy reach, and that you’re sitting all the way back in your chair. Take lots of breaks, too!

Final takeaway

By understanding these possible conditions and their symptoms, you’ll be more prepared to seek medical attention for lower back pain where necessary. We hope these telltale signs will help you get the care you need so you stay pain-free!

About Dr. Brent Wells

Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice has treated thousands of patients from different health problems using various services designed to help give you long-lasting relief. Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.