Treatment FAQ

what does it mean if lower back hurts and legs ache and what is the treatment

by Ryder Beatty Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Lower back and leg pain are often the result of minor injuries or poor posture, and the pain tends to get better with rest and home treatments. However, persistent or recurring pain may be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

How do you get rid of lower back and leg pain?

Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing). Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.

What is the best medicine for back and leg pain?

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen [Advil, Motrin], ketoprofen, or naproxen [Aleve]) Prescription muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms. Antidepressants for chronic low back pain.Jan 26, 2022

Why does my lower back hurt and the pain goes down my leg?

Sciatica. Often the result of a herniated disk, sciatica is a form of pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. Your sciatic nerve extends from your lower back, through your hips and butt, and down your legs. If you experience sciatica pain, it will typically occur on one side of your body.

What is the fastest way to relieve back pain?

Exercise has been found to be one of the most effective ways to relieve back pain quickly. Try swimming, walking, or yoga.

Is bed rest good for sciatica?

Discussion. We found no evidence that bed rest is an effective treatment for patients with sciatica.Feb 11, 1999

What triggers sciatica?

Sciatica pain is caused by an irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression of a nerve in the lower back. The most common cause is a herniated or slipped disk that causes pressure on the nerve root. Most people with sciatica get better on their own with time and self-care treatments.Mar 25, 2020

Why do my legs and back hurt?

The sciatic nerves branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.Aug 1, 2020

Can Covid make legs hurt?

People using the app have reported feeling muscle aches and pains, particularly in their shoulders or legs. COVID-related muscle pains can range from being mild to quite debilitating, especially when they occur alongside fatigue. For some people, this muscle pain stops them from doing day-to-day tasks.Mar 29, 2021

What causes lower abdominal pain and leg pain in females?

UTERINE FIBROIDS (Uterine myomas)

Many women may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Large fibroids may cause dull aching pain or a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen or the pelvis. They may also cause heavy periods, bleeding during sexual intercourse, leg pain, back pain, constipation, or trouble with urination.

What drinks help back pain?

Cherry juice can help relieve muscle pain, which may be chronic or exercise-induced. Cherry juice is easily available to buy at grocery stores and commonly contains the tart cherry extract. Try drinking a glass of cherry juice on a daily basis and see if it has positive effects in relieving your back pain.

Is it better to sit or lay down with lower back pain?

You should lie down to relieve the pain, but the goal should be not to return to sitting, but rather to regain your ability to stand and move. "The goal isn't to get into the chair. The goal is to start moving. Walking is better than sitting," he says.Mar 1, 2020

Is walking good for lower back pain?

The simple movement of walking is one of the best things we can do for chronic lower back pain. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking twice a day will help ease lower back pain. Substitute this activity for a more vigorous type of exercise if you prefer and/or are able.Sep 18, 2018

What causes pain in the lower back and legs?

Arthritis. Arthritis is a group of conditions that cause the joints to become inflamed and painful. Joint inflammation in the lower spine or hips can cause pain in the lower back, which may also radiate into the legs. The most common forms of arthritis include:

What is the pain in the lower back?

Sciatica. Sciatica is a sharp, burning or stabbing pain in the lower back that radiates through the buttocks and down into the back of the legs. A person may also experience a tingling sensation, numbness, or weakness in the legs. The pain occurs when something places pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Can a strain cause lower back pain?

Sprains and strains. Sprains and strains are a common cause of lower back and leg pain. Sprains and strains to the muscles of the lower back can cause pain. Sometimes, this pain may radiate to the buttocks or restrict a person’s range of motion. Strains and sprains can also lead to muscle spasms. Sprains and strains in the lower back can result ...

Can a strain on the lower back cause muscle spasms?

Sometimes, this pain may radiate to the buttocks or restrict a person’s range of motion. Strains and sprains can also lead to muscle spasms. Sprains and strains in the lower back can result from sports injuries, overusing or overstretching the back, or lifting heavy objects improperly. A person can often treat back strains ...

What is the best treatment for a sprained lower back?

A person can often treat back strains and sprains at home with rest, ice or heat packs, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

What is the best treatment for back pain?

A person can often treat back strains and sprains at home with rest, ice or heat packs, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Doctors may recommend physical therapy for people with more severe symptoms.

How to reduce back pain?

Steps that a person can take to reduce and prevent lower back pain include: exercising regularly. practicing good posture when sitting and standing. Learn about how to improve posture here. taking frequent breaks from desks, computers, and workstations by getting up and stretching or walking around.

Why does my lower back hurt?

As the cartilage breaks down between the spinal joints, surrounding tissues may become inflamed. The inflammation and the thinning of cartilage increase friction in the joints, which may cause pain in the lower back.

Can you get lower back pain on your own?

You are not alone. Anyone can experience lower back pain at any time, even if you don’t have a prior injury or any of the risk factors. It is not always serious and can often get better on its own. But in some cases pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right. Learn more about lower back pain and what causes it ...

How long does back pain last?

In many cases lower back pain stops on its own. But if it doesn’t, here are some guidelines on when you may want to start seeking professional help: 1 If the pain lasts four weeks or longer 2 If the pain keeps getting worse as time goes by 3 If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, major weight loss or weight gain, loss of function or weakness in extremities, bladder problems, etc.

Is back pain always serious?

It is not always serious and can often get better on its own. But in some cases pain is your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right. Learn more about lower back pain and what causes it from rehabilitation physician Akhil Chhatre, M.D., who specializes in back pain in the Johns Hopkins Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

How many vertebrae are there in the lower back?

The bottom part of your back typically has just five vertebrae — fewer than your neck and mid-back. And these vertebrae do a lot of heavy lifting! Your lower back is where your spine connects to your pelvis, bearing the weight of your upper body.

What is the lower back?

Your lower back is where your spine connects to your pelvis, bearing the weight of your upper body. This area experiences a lot of movement and stress, which may lead to wear, tear and injuries.

Can a bad fall cause a lower back injury?

A bad fall or a car accident can cause a lower back injury. But so can carrying a laundry basket up the stairs. Some back injuries can be sudden and traumatic, and some happen slowly over time. You may think that athletes and active people get injured the most due to their active lifestyle.

How to help lower back pain?

Overall, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can be very helpful with easing chronic low back pain. Rarity: Common. Top Symptoms: lower back pain, back pain that shoots to the butt, fever, back pain. Symptoms that always occur with unexplained acute low back pain: lower back pain.

What causes pain in the lower back?

Anxiety and depression. Fibromyalgia: This is a syndrome of unexplained fatigue with muscle and connective tissue pain, including back pain.

Is low back pain a symptom?

Dull, nagging pain in the lower back that never really goes away is one of the most common health problems. Any sort of low back pain is a symptom, not a condition in itself. Therefore, you will need a definitive diagnosis to put you on the right path to treatment.

Does low back pain go away?

Dull, nagging pain in the lower back that never really goes away is one of the most common health problems. Any sort of low back pain is a symptom, not a condition in itself. Therefore, you will need a definitive diagnosis to put you on the right path to treatment. Even if the underlying cause cannot be entirely cured, ...

Can low back pain be cured?

Therefore, you will need a definitive diagnosis to put you on the right path to treatment. Even if the underlying cause cannot be entirely cured, there's a good chance it can be managed.

Can lumbago cause back pain?

Even if the underlying cause cannot be entirely cured, there's a good chance it can be managed. Dull lower back pain may commonly be called lumbago, backache, a bad back, or back trouble.

What are the characteristics of back pain?

Characteristics that are commonly associated with this type of back pain include the following. Dull, aching pain in the low back: The pain may seem almost like numbness at times. Exercise does not help: The pain may be sharp with exercise and dull with rest.

Why does my lower back hurt?

Aging and the stress of your body weight leads to degeneration of the components that make up your spine, including the discs, ligaments, cartilage, and vertebrae. These degenerative changes are often the source of lower back pain, as well as your leg pain. Back problems that cause leg pain include:

What does it mean when you have pain in your legs?

Spinal stenosis. Pain or cramping in one or both of your legs when standing or walking for a long period of time may be signs that you have spinal stenosis. This common lower back condition is characterized by a narrowing of the space within your spine, which presses on the nerves running through.

What causes sciatica pain in the legs?

This common pain condition occurs from irritation or pinching of your sciatic nerve, which is a thick sensory and motor nerve that travels from your lumbar spine through the buttocks and into your legs on both sides of your body. Herniated discs and bone spurs are the most common cause of sciatica.

Can degenerative disc disease cause leg pain?

Though disc degeneration is a fact of aging, not everyone develops degenerative disc disease. Back pain is the most common symptom of degenerative disc disease, but the changes in the health of your discs may also cause pain that radiates to your legs. Or, in the case of nerve root damage, leg weakness or foot drop.

What is the best treatment for leg pain?

Massage therapy. Epidural injections. Nerve blocks. Though surgery is considered the last resort for the treatment of leg pain, our orthopedic spine surgeons use the most advanced minimally invasive techniques, including the XLIF® lateral interbody fusion, to remove the discs irritating your nerves.

Why do my legs hurt?

No doubt about it, your legs endure a lot of stress throughout your life, leading to a general wear and tear that may result in pain. However, not all sources of leg pain are caused by issues related to the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or cartilage that make up your lower extremities.

What part of the back is responsible for supporting weight?

Almost everyone at some point in their life develops lower back pain. This part of your back includes your lumbar spine, which is responsible for supporting much of your upper body weight.

Why does my lower back hurt?

Common lower back pain causes include injury from heavy lifting, age-related spinal changes, and injuries such as a fall or car accident. Cancer is a rare but possible cause of lower back pain in some people. Lower back pain related to cancer is more likely related to a tumor in a surrounding area (such as the colon) than cancer in the back itself.

What are some examples of back pain?

Examples of these symptoms include: back pain that doesn’t seem to be related to movement or doesn’t get worse with movement. back pain that usually occurs at night or early in the morning and goes away or gets better during the day. back pain that persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.

Is lower back pain a sign of cancer?

Lower back pain is a common occurrence and rarely a sign of cancer. However, it’s possible to have lower back pain related to cancers such as spinal, colorectal, or ovarian cancer. A person with these cancer types will usually have other symptoms in addition to lower back pain. An estimated 80 percent of people in the United States have dealt ...

Can back pain be cancer?

unexplained fatigue. weakness, tingling, or numbness in your arms or legs. Back pain doesn’t have to be severe to indicate cancer. It can range in severity. Having a personal history of cancer along with these symptoms may also increase your risk.

Does back pain indicate cancer?

Back pain doesn’t have to be severe to indicate cancer. It can range in severity. Having a personal history of cancer along with these symptoms may also increase your risk. If you have back pain and are worried it’s due to cancer, consider your overall symptoms and talk to your doctor.

Can cancer cause lower back pain?

Cancers of the stomach, colon, and rectum can all cause lower back pain. This pain radiates from the cancer site to the lower back. A person with these cancer types may have other symptoms, such as sudden weight loss or blood in their stool.

Does back pain get worse with movement?

back pain that doesn’t seem to be related to movement or doesn’t get worse with movement. back pain that usually occurs at night or early in the morning and goes away or gets better during the day. back pain that persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.

How to treat muscle pain in lower back?

A person can treat muscle fatigue and reduce discomfort in the lower back with: rest. hot or cold therapy. over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen. gentle exercises to stretch and loosen tight muscles. Maintaining a healthy weight can also help reduce stress on the back and legs.

What is the condition that can cause lower back pain when standing?

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spine that can place extra pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal stenosis often occurs in the lower part of the back, or lumbar spine, where it can lead to lower back pain when walking or standing. People often find that this pain improves with sitting down or leaning forward.

Does rest help lower back pain?

Muscle fatigue. Share on Pinterest. Rest may help relieve lower back pain. Prolonged walking or standing can tire or strain the muscles in the lower back and legs, which can lead to aches and pains. This pain or discomfort usually gets better with sitting or lying down to rest the back. People who are overweight may be more at risk ...

What does it mean when your back hurts when you sit down?

Spinal stenosis often occurs in the lower part of the back, or lumbar spine, where it can lead to lower back pain when walking or standing. People often find that this pain improves with sitting down or leaning forward. Other symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis can include: weakness in the legs.

What are the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis?

Other symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis can include: weakness in the legs. numbness or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, or legs. sciatica, or sharp pain that radiates down the leg. Severe spinal stenosis may lead to bowel and bladder problems and sexual dysfunction.

What does it mean when your legs are numb?

numbness or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, or legs. sciatica, or sharp pain that radiates down the leg. Severe spinal stenosis may lead to bowel and bladder problems and sexual dysfunction. Spinal stenosis usually occurs as a result of aging and is most common in people over the age of 50 years. However, some people are born ...

What does spinal stenosis mean?

numbness or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, or legs. Severe spinal stenosis may lead to bowel and bladder problems and sexual dysfunction. Spinal stenosis usually occurs as a result of aging and is most common in people over the age of 50 years.

What is the pain in the back of the leg?

This is the nerve that runs through your buttocks and down the back of your leg. Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis compressing part of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica usually only affects one side of the body.

What is the pain in the lower back and buttocks?

You have two sacroiliac joints, one on each side of your spine where it connects with the top of your pelvis. Sacroiliitis is inflammation of this joint. It can affect one or both sides. Pain in your lower back and buttocks is the most common symptom. The pain is usually made worse by: standing.

How many vertebrae are in the lower back?

The pain can be on one side of the spinal column or on both sides. The exact location of the pain can give clues about its cause. Your lower back consists of five vertebrae.

What organs are located on the left side of the back?

As well, organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, colon, and uterus are located near your lower back. All of these can be responsible for pain in the left side of your lower back, so there are many potential causes. While many require treatment, most aren’t serious.

What causes low back pain?

A muscle strain or sprain is the most common cause of low back pain. A strain is a tear or stretching in a tendon or muscle, while a sprain is a tear or stretching in a ligament. Sprains and strains usually happen when you twist or lift something improperly, lift something heavy, or overstretch your back muscles.

What causes sciatica pain in the back of the leg?

Sciatica is pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. This is the nerve that runs through your buttocks and down the back of your leg. Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis compressing part of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica usually only affects one side of the body.

What causes numbness and pain in the spine?

Herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when one or more of the discs between your vertebrae get compressed and bulge outward into spinal canal. These bulging discs often push on nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. A herniated disc is also a common cause of sciatica.

Why does my lower back hurt?

A common reason for lower back and abdominal pain is constipation. You can suffer from constipation when you are under stress, don’t consume enough fluids, if you have a low-fiber or an irregular diet, or consume a lot of processed foods. These factors can cause stools to become hard and they can be difficult to pass.

What causes pain in the lower back and abdomen?

A kidney infection is a serious condition and it can cause abdominal and lower back pain. Kidney infections are caused when bacteria get into your urinary tract and cause pain and discomfort.

Can you ignore lower back pain?

Lower back and abdominal pain should never be ignored. Some home remedies can help you find relief from some of the symptoms of lower abdomen and back pain. However, if your symptoms last for more than a few days, or you experience intense or severe pain in your stomach and back, you should visit your doctor for a checkup.

What is the pain in the lower abdomen and back called?

Kidney stones can cause severe and intense pain in the lower abdomen and back which called flank pain . Kidney stones are small mineral deposits that can form inside your kidney. They usually pass out when urinating, but sometimes surgery is required to remove them.

Can ovarian cysts cause pain in the lower back?

The pain may also be felt in your pelvic region and radiate to your lower back and thighs. 8. If you experience severe abdominal or pelvic pain, you should seek urgent medical attention.

Can PMS cause back pain?

The symptoms of PMS aren’t just connected with lower abdomen and back pain. According to the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S., PMS can cause fatigue, headaches, food cravings, breast swelling, and mood swings. One or more of the symptoms affect up to 85% of all women during their menstrual cycle. 12.

Can a heart attack cause back pain?

Severe pain in the chest that spread to the arms, neck, and jaw is one of the classic symptoms of a heart attack. However, heart attacks can also cause abdominal pain with nausea and back pain.

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