What is lower back pain?

Pain in the lower portion of your back is due to a problem with the spine, soft tissues or muscles in that area. Back pain is often temporary and goes away on its own in two to four weeks; a trip to the doctor isn’t typically necessary. Light stretching, pain medication and hot/cold presses are all common self-treatments for back pain that you can do at home.

What causes severe back pain?

The most common cause of back pain is injury to the ligaments supporting the spine. The pain typically clears up on its own after a short period. If lying down and resting the muscles don’t relieve the pain, or your back pain is accompanied by numbness or pain in other areas of your body, you should consult an expert. Severe back pain may be caused be a problem affecting the spine or spinal nerves, such as fractured vertebrae, herniated spinal disc or spinal cord. Kidney problems such as a kidney stone can cause severe back pain. Severe back pain should be checked by a medical professional.

Should I go to a doctor for my back pain?

Back pain doesn’t usually call for a trip to the doctor. In most cases, a strained or injured muscle or ligament in the back is the cause and will typically go away within a few weeks. You may need to have a doctor look at it if the pain is severe, lasts for more than four weeks and does not improve after some rest and pain medication.