Lower back pain is one of the most common health problems in the world and the leading cause of years lived with disability. Most episodes settle within weeks, and serious causes are rare. Staying active, building strength and understanding what is going on usually matter more than scans or rest.
Common lower back conditions
Low back pain (non-specific) (lower back pain, mechanical back pain)
Non-specific low back pain is pain between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs that does not come from one clear, identifiable cause such as a fracture, infection or tumour.
Read more→Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy) (lumbar radiculopathy, trapped nerve in the back)
Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg, often below the knee, caused by irritation of a nerve root in the lower spine.
Read more→Slipped (herniated) disc (slipped disc, herniated disc)
A slipped disc, or herniated disc, is when part of the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out through its tougher outer layer.
Read more→Lumbar spinal stenosis (spinal stenosis, neurogenic claudication)
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the lower spine where the nerves run, usually caused by age-related changes.
Read more→Facet joint pain and lumbar spondylosis (facet joint syndrome, lumbar spondylosis)
Facet joint pain is back pain thought to come from the small joints at the back of the spine, and lumbar spondylosis is the general term for age-related changes in the lower spine.
Read more→Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (pars defect, pars stress fracture)
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in a small bridge of bone at the back of a vertebra (the pars), most often at the bottom of the spine.
Read more→Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA, ankylosing spondylitis)
Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a long-term inflammatory condition that mainly affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints where the spine meets the pelvis.
Read more→
Getting the right help
Not sure which of these fits? Our team can assess what is going on, explain it clearly and point you to the right care, including referral back to your GP where that is the better route.
Other areas
- Head and jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Wrist and hand pain
- Upper back and chest wall pain
- Hip, groin and pelvic pain
- Knee pain
- Shin and calf pain
- Ankle and foot pain
- Pain in pregnancy and after birth
- Aches and pains in children and young people
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.
