What Causes Lower Back Pain?

Posted on Wed, 12 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 Answered on

Sat, 29 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a sharp stabbing pain in my lower back. It then goes to my heel. The stabbing pain is worse when the back is in different positions. The radiating pain is pretty much constant.

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Description below Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. Low Back Pain Common Causes (considering your age): • Nerve root syndromes are those that produce symptoms of nerve impingement (a nerve is directly irritated): Herniated discs, Spondylosis and Spinal disc degeneration • Musculoskeletal pain syndromes that produce low back pain includes myofascial pain syndromes and fibromyalgia. • Infections of the bones: Bacterial and spinal Tuberculosis • Noninfectious inflammation of the spine (spondylitis) can cause stiffness and pain in the spine that is particularly worse in the morning • Renal stone The following measures will help with the pain • Lie on a hard bed. • Anti -inflammatory drugs like Tablet Motrin or Brufen 1 tablet as and when required ( do not repeat a dose before 6 hours) with food will help relieve the pain. • Correct your posture while sitting • Avoid prolonged sitting • Avoid strenuous activity & lifting heavy weights. • Apply diclofenac gel on the affected area. Warm compresses will also help. Adequate rest and proper nutrition is equally important. Drink lots of fluids since dehydration affects the disc. Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, nuts, milk, eggs, pulses and cereals. Do brisk walking exercise for 40 minutes daily. Get 6-8 hours of refreshing sleep daily. Do start with swimming. This will be good for most back pains. I do hope that you have found something helpful and I will be glad to answer any further query. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (28 minutes later)

Thank you very much for your response. I was wondering if a CT or MRI world be beneficial for the lower back since the sharp stabbing pain is relatively new. I had 2 recent falls. One from 4 feet high over the side of the staircase and the other a twisting fall because of my dog. I had a CT of the Cervical Spine with the degenerative disc disease in C3, C4, C5 & C6 was reported. Three years ago it was just two of them.

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (12 hours later)

Brief Answer: MRI would be more beneficial. Detailed Answer: Hello mam, MRI would be more beneficial for your lower back pain.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar