However, some symptoms can be more serious requiring a full assessment and diagnosis by an experienced Physiotherapist or GP.
The lower part of your spine is joined to the sacrum which is part of your pelvis.The curves, shapes and various sizes of the vertebrae (along with the discs found in between them), help to evenly distribute the weight of your body on the spine and creating the flexibility necessary to bend or rotate your back.A complex group of muscles is attached to the spine which allows you to move your back.
What Causes Back Pain?The most common cause of back pain, especially lower back pain, is a combination of poor posture and lack of movement, typically seen with people who sit for long periods.
Along with advice on correcting your posture, appropriate exercises and self-treatment techniques, your back pain should resolve in a few days or weeks.However, there are more complex causes of back pain, for example, disc prolapse, joint impingement, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoporosis, arthritis or fracture which require a more detailed assessment.Symptoms of Lower Back PainWhen you first start to develop postural back pain it manifests itself as a low-grade ache normally combined with stiffness in your lower back.
You may experience any of the following symptoms:Pins and needles or numbness in the buttocks, lower limbs or feetPain going down the back or front of your legMore severe back pain, especially when bending forwardExcessive levels of stiffness in your lower backThese symptoms need to be properly assessed by an experienced Physiotherapist.
They will diagnose the cause of your back pain and provide appropriate treatment, management and advice.A very small percentage of back pain can be caused by more serious conditions like cauda equina, where the nerves at the bottom of your spinal cord are being compressed.