Lower Back Pain Relief

How Can We Help
Let Us Help You Find a Doctor

U.S. PATIENTS:713.790.3333

Find a Specialist Near You

In This Section

Lower back pain is a prevalent condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide, making it one of the most common reasons people seek medical attention. While it can impact people of all ages, adults between the ages of 30 and 50 experience lower back pain most frequently due to factors like aging, lifestyle habits, obesity, occupational demands and various other causes.

At Houston Methodist, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive care and education to help our patients navigate the challenges of lower back pain and aim for a healthier, more active life.

Identifying Your Type of Lower Back Pain 

Lower back pain is classified as discomfort in the lower back due to an injury. The pain is typically centralized in the area of the back between the bottom of the rib cage and above the buttocks.

Common Types of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is broadly classified into two types: acute, which is short-lived and often injury-related, and chronic, persisting for 12 weeks or more. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Acute Lower Back Pain

Acute lower back pain is a sudden and intense discomfort in the lower back area typically resulting from a sprain or strain. This type of pain often lasts from a few days to a few weeks.


Common Causes:

 

  • Accidents or falls that have an intense impact on the spine
  • Heavy lifting
  • Sudden, awkward movements

Chronic Lower Back Pain

Chronic low back pain is a long-lasting discomfort that can vary in intensity and may result from other ongoing medical conditions. It often lasts for 12 weeks or longer.

Common Causes:

 

  • Arthritis
  • Herniated disk
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Inactivity and deconditioning
  • Osteoporosis
  • Spinal deformities, such as scoliosis
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis

Signs & Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain comes in various forms, from localized muscle spasms to widespread discomfort affecting the entire lower back region. At times, pain can further radiate down into the legs and be associated with burning, numbness, tingling and cramping. While symptoms can range from mild to severe, it’s important to understand each sign, as recognizing and identifying them early is the first step to effective treatment. Signs and symptoms of lower back pain include:

 

  • Aching and burning pain
  • Back stiffness in the morning that lessens with activity
  • Dull aching
  • Increased pain when lifting or bending
  • Mild to severe pain
  • Pain that radiates away from the back into the buttocks, legs or hips
  • Pain that worsens when standing or walking for any distance
  • Sharp or stabbing pain
  • Soreness 

How Is Lower Back Pain Diagnosed? 

Diagnosing the source of your low back pain starts with a comprehensive exam. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam to locate the source of your pain, weakness and other symptoms. In some cases, we may also order imaging, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI to confirm or rule out other conditions.

Treatment Options

Lower back pain is a complex issue requiring a tailored approach to treatment and prevention. For most cases, initial treatment includes rest, heat or ice therapy and over-the-counter pain medications.

For more severe cases, our comprehensive treatments may include the options below.

Targeted Physical Therapy

Our expert physical therapists tailor therapy to your specific condition, using different exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your lower back, increase flexibility and improve posture.

Injection-Based Treatments

Injection-based treatments, such as epidural steroid injections, use anti-inflammatory medications to target nerve pain in the lower back. These injections can provide temporary relief while the underlying cause of the pain is being addressed.

Prescription Medications

For lower back pain, medications such as oral corticosteroids, muscle relaxers or injections are often used to ease muscle spasms and reduce inflammation around the spinal nerves. In some cases, narcotic pain medication may also be prescribed for short-term relief of severe pain.

Spinal Surgery

While most patients with back pain avoid surgery, our board-certified surgeons are here to help if necessary. Houston Methodist provides minimally invasive spine surgeries, decompressive procedures, fusions, disk replacements and more to address spinal issues with fewer complications. Our surgeons, skilled in the latest innovative procedures, use the latest technologies, including advanced navigation techniques active electrode neuromonitoring, for safer operations. Learn more about our spine treatments and procedures.

Expert Lower Back Pain Care at Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist offers the most advanced health care tools and technologies available to precisely diagnose and treat your condition. We provide comprehensive care for back and neck pain caused by disk injuries, arthritis, spinal tumors and other spinal conditions. 

 

Our spine specialists are among the most experienced in the nation, with decades of knowledge in treating complex spinal conditions. With expert treatment, most patients can find symptom relief without surgery. We personalize treatment plans to relieve your pain, improve your quality of life and get you back to doing the things you love.

FAQs About Lower Back Pain

Is lower back pain a sign of something serious?

While lower back pain can signal significant health issues, such as disk herniation, a pinched nerve, arthritis or kidney problems, lower back pain can often be attributed to a strain or minor injury. If you have been dealing with significant pain or you have had long-standing pain, consulting a health care provider is important to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.

How can I prevent lower back pain?

Preventive care plays a critical role in maintaining lower back health even after symptoms have subsided. We recommend the following strategies, in conjunction with your doctor's advice, to help prevent future episodes of lower back pain:

  • Avoid prolonged sitting by taking regular breaks to stretch and walk.
  • Choose sleeping positions that support spinal alignment, such as sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees, rather than on your back or stomach.
  • Engage in regular exercise to keep your back and core muscles strong and flexible, with an emphasis on both cardio and strength training. 
  • Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce stress on your back.
  • Opt for chairs that offer substantial back support.
  • Practice proper posture while walking, sitting or standing to minimize strain.

Our dedicated team at Houston Methodist is committed to providing personalized care to manage and prevent lower back pain, helping you return to your daily activities with confidence and comfort.

How does poor posture affect back pain?

As one of the most common causes of pain in the lower back, poor posture can have a significant impact on your back. Here are some common examples of poor posture that can lead to mild or severe back pain:

  • Lifting heavy objects off the floor by bending your back instead of your legs
  • Concentrating your weight on one leg while standing
  • Hunching forward while performing tasks like weeding the garden or washing dishes for an extended period of time
  • Slouching and sitting slumped in an office chair on a couch

Practicing good posture is a great way to prevent future back pain. Not sure whether you have good posture? Learn more about how to fix your posture and whether you’re making any common mistakes.

What is the best sitting position for lower back pain?

The best sitting position to alleviate lower back pain is one that maintains the natural curve of the spine. Sit back in your chair with your feet flat on the floor and your knees at a 90-degree angle. A small, rolled-up towel or lumbar support placed at the curve of your back can also help. Ensure your chair supports your lower back and avoid slouching or leaning forward.

Can lower back pain be cured?

While not all causes of lower back pain can be completely cured, many cases can be effectively managed and relieved through a combination of treatments such as physical therapy, medication, lifestyle adjustments and, in some cases, surgery. The success of treatment varies depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

What exercises are good for lower back pain?

Exercises that strengthen the back, abdomen and leg muscles can help support the spine and alleviate lower back pain. Gentle activities like walking, swimming, pilates and yoga can be beneficial. If you are experiencing lower back pain, it's important to discuss your condition with a doctor before starting any new exercise regimen.

What are the common causes of lower back pain?

Common causes for low back pain include lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, spinal injuries and accidents. However, low back pain can also be attributed to:

  • Arthritis and inflammation of the joints 
  • Certain types of cancer and tumors
  • Compression fracture of the vertebrae (the bones in your spine) 
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and other types of inflammatory arthritis
  • Herniated disk in your spine (also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk)
  • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of your spinal canal), which puts pressure on nearby nerves
  • Spine curvatures (like scoliosis or kyphosis)