Low Back Pain
Pain in the low lumbar, lumbosacral, or sacroiliac region, possibly accompanied by pain radiating down one or both buttocks or legs in the region of the sciatic nerve (sciatica).
Chronic Lower Back Pain (LBP) has many causes. Damage to a vertebral disc, muscular problems, arthritis and ligament damage are some of the conditions that can contribute to pain in the lower back. Pain can be triggered by excessive stress to the back, heavy lifting, or apparently innocuous movements such as bending or stretching.
The symptoms of, and treatments for, LBP are as varied as the causes. Pain can be isolated to the lower back region, or radiate down a leg; it can be constant, or triggered by even the slightest movement. Treatment for chronic LBP ranges from exercise and stretching to oral medications such as pain killers and muscle relaxants to surgery of the spine or the implanting of a spinal cord stimulator.
Source: U.S National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), Handout of Health: Back Pain September 2005 (http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/pain/backpain.htm)