What Is Lumbago? Causes and Symptoms of Low Back Pain

Quick answer: Lumbago is an older word for low back pain. Most of it is mechanical — from strain, posture, long hours in one position or deconditioning — and it usually improves with time and movement. For back pain that lingers, exercise has the strongest evidence: across 249 trials it reduced pain by 15.2 points on a 100-point scale. Back pain with numbness in the groin, bladder or bowel changes, leg weakness, fever or unexplained weight loss needs prompt medical care.

What is Lumbago?

Lumbago, in its simplest terms, refers to low back pain. Historically, the term “lumbago” was widely used in the medical field to describe this discomfort. While the term might sound antiquated, the pain it describes is anything but outdated. (According to the CDC, in 2018, 28.0% of men and 31.6% of women aged ≥18 years had lower back pain in the past three months.) With our evolving lifestyles and increased sedentary habits, lumbago or lower back pain has become more prevalent than ever.

Common Symptoms of Lumbago

Anyone who’s suffered from lumbago can attest to its discomfort. The symptoms often include:

• A sharp, aching, or severe pain in the lower back.
• Stiffness and limited flexibility, especially after waking up or prolonged sitting.
• Muscle spasms in the lumbar spine region.
• A tingling sensation or numbness that may radiate down the legs.
• A sudden spike in pain after activities like bending or lifting.

Causes of Lumbago

The lower back, or the lumbar region, is a complex network of muscles, ligaments, and bones. A properly functioning lumbar spine plays a crucial role in supporting our upper body as well as supporting movement of the pelvis and lower extremities. The pivotal placement and critical role of the lower back make maintaining good spine health necessary. Otherwise, it is vulnerable to injuries, sprains, and strain.

Common causes of lower back pain include:

• Poor Posture: Slouching, prolonged sitting, or standing without proper alignment and support can strain the lumbar region.
• Heavy Lifting: Lifting objects incorrectly or bearing excessive weight can cause acute lumbago.
• Trauma or Injuries: Accidents, falls, or sports-related injuries can lead to lumbago.
• Medical Conditions: Herniated discs, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis are a few conditions that can contribute to lumbago.

How Posture Can Contribute to Lumbago

Our spine, with its gentle curves, is designed for balance, movement, and support. However, in today’s digital age, we often find ourselves hunching over screens or sitting for prolonged hours. This leads to an alteration in the lumbar curve, upper back rounding, and pelvic misalignment, causing an uneven distribution of weight and, subsequently, strain on the lower back. Over time, this musculoskeletal misalignment exacerbates and can manifest as chronic low back pain — something we see all too often.

Treatment Options for Lumbago

Before plunging into treatments or a pain management program, it’s a good idea to get an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic methods like X-rays and MRIs can offer vital health information, pinpointing any orthopedic issues related to your pain.

Traditional Treatments

The traditional medical health care system offers a variety of treatments, ranging from non-invasive to surgical interventions:

• Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory medications can provide temporary relief.
• Steroid Injections: In more severe cases, these can be administered to alleviate inflammation and pain.
• Physical Therapy: Symptom-focused exercises are typically indicated to strengthen back muscles.
• Chiropractic Care: Adjustments and manipulations can help restore spinal alignment.
• Surgery: Typically considered as a last resort for cases where other treatments fail.

Posture Therapy: The Holistic Approach to Lumbago

While traditional methods offer symptomatic relief, individualized posture therapy aims at the root cause. By addressing the whole body’s alignment and not just the lumbar region, posture therapy provides a more complete solution. A holistic approach used by providers like Activ8 promises lasting relief. Through posture-corrective exercises, you can restore your body to its natural state, ensuring the even distribution of weight across the spine and fostering a more active, healthier lifestyle.

How the Approaches Fit Together

Pain relievers, heat, manual therapy and physical therapy can all help calm a flare-up. What tends to make the biggest long-term difference is staying active and building strength and better movement habits, and that is where a whole-body posture approach adds the most: looking at how the hips, pelvis and upper back share the load with the lower back.

When to See a Doctor

Get prompt medical care for back pain with numbness in the groin or saddle area, new bladder or bowel changes, leg weakness that is getting worse, fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, or pain after a significant fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is lumbago?

Lumbago refers to pain localized in the lower back, stemming from a myriad of causes, including muscle strain, injuries, or underlying medical conditions.

What is lumbago with sciatica?

When lumbago is accompanied by pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates down the legs due to irritation of the sciatic nerve, it’s termed as lumbago with sciatica.

What is lumbago called now?

While “lumbago” is still understood, modern terminology often refers to it simply as “lower back pain” or “lumbar pain.”

What is the cause of lumbago?

Lumbago can arise from various factors, including poor posture, heavy lifting, injuries, or underlying medical conditions like osteoarthritis, spinal nerve impingement, or herniated discs. Tuning into the warning signs of the body, such as poor posture and faulty movement patterns, can help avoid further damage and pain.

What does lumbago mean?

Derived from Latin, “lumbago” essentially translates to “pain in the loins” or “pain in the lower back.”

Key Takeaways

Lumbago is an older term for low back pain, and most episodes improve within a few weeks.

Staying active, gentle movement and, when needed, medication from your doctor help in the short term. Regular exercise that builds strength and mobility helps lower the chance of it coming back. See a doctor promptly for any of the warning signs listed above.

Sources

• Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, Malmivaara A, van Tulder MW. Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021. 249 trials, 24,486 participants.