NIH - Medical Encyclopedia Back pain - low

"The specific structure in your back responsible for your pain is hardly ever identified. Whether identified or not, there are several possible sources of low back pain: • Small fractures to the spine from osteoporosis • Muscle spasm (very tense muscles that remain contracted) • Ruptured or herniated disk • Degeneration of the disks • Poor alignment of the vertebrae • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) • Strain or tears to the muscles or ligaments supporting the back • Spine curvatures (like scoliosis or kyphosis) which may be inherited and seen in children or teens • Other medical conditions like fibromyalgia. "

Highlighted Article

Treatment of acute sciatica. (Am Fam Physician. 2007)

"Acute sciatica is lower back pain with radiculopathy below the knee and symptoms lasting up to six weeks. … caused by a variety of conditions: disk herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, facet joint osteoarthritis or other arthropathies, spinal cord infection or tumor, or spondylolisthesis. … Clinical Commentary: An efficient clinical history and thorough physical examination of a patient with suspected sciatica is needed to rule out urgent conditions like cauda equina syndrome, infection, or cancer, and to determine the need for diagnostic tests. After the acute episode, emphasis is placed on activity, back exercises, behavioral techniques, ergonomics education, and close clinical monitoring. Educating patients on self-care and establishing reasonable expectations usually increase patient compliance with therapy and improve satisfaction."