Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Jan 19, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Worried about your symptoms?
Choose one to start our AI Symptom Checker.
It will help us optimize further questions for you.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Low back pain
Pain in the lower back worsens when standing up
Low back pain aggravated when sitting
Pain in the spine
Pain in the lower back with slouching
Low back pain aggravated by sneezing
I have back pain
Find another symptom
Search for another symptom
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
See full list
Low back pain is very common, affecting more than 80% of people at least once in their lifetime. It is usually not serious and often resolves on its own. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, older age, female sex, physically strenuous or sedentary work, stress, and mental health issues. Causes range from muscular pains to menstrual problems, injury, slipped disc, nerve disease, spine disease, or inflammatory conditions.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Low back pain typically resolves with rest, over-the-counter medication, and sometimes physical therapy. If the pain is severe, radiates down the leg, or doesn't improve with rest or home treatment, medical attention is required to rule out serious causes. The doctor may use advanced imaging such as CT or MRI to identify and treat the cause of the back pain.
Q.
What Are the Causes of Low Back Pain?
A.
Low back pain may arise from an issue with the spine itself or may less commonly be a symptom of other underlying diseases.
References:
Knezevic NN, Candido KD, Vlaeyen JWS, Van Zundert J, Cohen SP. Low back pain. Lancet. 2021 Jul 3;398(10294):7892. doi: 10.1016/S01406736(21)007339. Epub 2021 Jun 8. PMID: 34115979.
Q.
Can a Herniated Disc Cause Low Back Pain?
A.
Absolutely. The classic symptoms of a herniated disc include low back pain that extends down the buttocks and into the legs.
References:
Al Qaraghli MI, De Jesus O. Lumbar Disc Herniation. 2023 Aug 23. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 32809713.
Q.
Is It Common to Get Low Back Pain Before or During My Period?
A.
Yes. Prior studies suggest up to 4050% of women experience low back pain (LBP) during a period.
References:
Smith DR, Mihashi M, Adachi Y, Shouyama Y, Mouri F, Ishibashi N, Ishitake T. Menstrual disorders and their influence on low back pain among Japanese nurses. Ind Health. 2009 Jul;47(3):30112. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.47.301. PMID: 19531916.
Shakeri H, Fathollahi Z, Karimi N, Arab AM. Effect of functional lumbar stabilization exercises on pain, disability, and kinesiophobia in women with menstrual low back pain: a preliminary trial. J Chiropr Med. 2013 Sep;12(3):1607. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2013.08.005. PMID: 24396316; PMCID: PMC3838710.
Will JS, Bury DC, Miller JA. Mechanical Low Back Pain. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Oct 1;98(7):421-428. PMID: 30252425.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2018/1001/p421.htmlKnezevic NN, Candido KD, Vlaeyen JWS, Van Zundert J, Cohen SP. Low back pain. Lancet. 2021 Jul 3;398(10294):78-92. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00733-9. Epub 2021 Jun 8. PMID: 34115979.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00733-9/fulltextMaher C, Underwood M, Buchbinder R. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2017 Feb 18;389(10070):736-747. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30970-9. Epub 2016 Oct 11. PMID: 27745712.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)30970-9/fulltextChenot JF, Greitemann B, Kladny B, Petzke F, Pfingsten M, Schorr SG. Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017 Dec 25;114(51-52):883-890. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2017.0883. PMID: 29321099; PMCID: PMC5769319.
https://www.aerzteblatt.de/int/archive/article/195482Balagué F, Mannion AF, Pellisé F, Cedraschi C. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet. 2012 Feb 4;379(9814):482-91. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60610-7. Epub 2011 Oct 6. PMID: 21982256.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60610-7/fulltextThis symptom checker site is a great resource to either get an idea of what is happening inside your body or even get a second opinion without incurring another huge bill. It also provides a way to connect with a professional if needed. I really enjoy this site.
Aug 30, 2024 (Female, 40s)
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)