Lower Back Pain
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
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 Nov 22, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Lower Back Pain test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Try one of these related symptoms.
Low back pain
Chronic lower back pain
Pain in the lower back worsens when standing up
Pain on one side started first
Lower back hurts even when sitting still
Low back pain improves with exercise
Lower back pain aggravated by pressing
Pain in the lower back with slouching
Bending over hurts my lower back a lot
Lower back pain that makes me want to sit down
Low back pain when standing straight
Low back pain aggravated by sneezing
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Lower Back Pain quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is 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.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Pinched nerve in lower back
- Low back pain worsens when getting up from a sitting or lying position
- Severe back pain that prevents me from bending down when standing
- Back pain that prevents me from standing still for a long time
- Low back pain aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or straining
- Low back pain when leaning forward and lifting something
- Lower back pain is worse when pressed on a painful area
- When I lie on the back, the low back pain gets better
- Lying down and trying to sleep but lower back aches
- Can't stand straight because lower back will hurt
- Lower back pain initially started on one side
- Low back pain aggravated by drinking alcohol
- Low back pain is more severe when sitting
- Low back pain alleviated with exercise
- Pain in the lower back
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
Low back pain describes pain felt below the waist. It can be aching, pressing, sharp, or dull in nature.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fever
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Numbness of lower limbs
- Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
- Abdominal pain
- Lower abdominal pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Lower back pain can be related to:
- Vertebral Compression Fracture
A fracture of the spine bones, often occurring in older patients with osteoporosis (bone weakening). It can be caused by small amounts of force, such as falling on one's buttocks or lifting heavy objects. Some patients may dismiss it as a normal backache, only to be diagnosed later when an X-ray is performed.
- Acute Low Back Pain
Sudden pain in the lower back can be caused by muscle strain, such as after lifting heavy objects or coughing vigorously. In some cases, the pain is apparent upon waking up and no preceding cause is found.
- Spinal Canal Stenosis
Narrowing of the canal surrounding the nerves. It can be caused by normal wear and tear of the spine or by a previous injury to the region.
- Low Back Pain
- Lumbar Vertebrae Disk Herniation
- Lumbar Spondylosis
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Spondyloarthropathy
- Transverse Myelitis
- Bone Tumor
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you have lower back pain?
- How long have you had lower back pain this time?
- Have you had lower back pain before?
- On a scale of 1-10, how severe was your lower back pain at its worst?
- How has the lower back pain changed since it started?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
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):78-92. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00733-9. 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 40-50% 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):301-12. 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):160-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2013.08.005. PMID: 24396316; PMCID: PMC3838710.
Q.
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt When I Have a Fever?
A.
It is not uncommon for the lower back to hurt during a fever due to the body’s inflammatory response to infection and sometimes due to infection in the back itself.
References:
Medappil N, Adiga P. A 31-year-old female with fever and back pain. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2011 Jul;4(3):385-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-2700.83869. PMID: 21887031; PMCID: PMC3162710.
Cameron CR, Burgess CD. Recurrent back pain and fevers. Med J Aust. 2007 Feb 19;186(4):208-9. doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb00864.x. PMID: 17309425.
Bernheim HA, Block LH, Atkins E. Fever: pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and purpose. Ann Intern Med. 1979 Aug;91(2):261-70. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-91-2-261. PMID: 223485.
Broom M. Physiology of fever. Paediatr Nurs. 2007 Jul;19(6):40-4. doi: 10.7748/paed.19.6.40.s32. PMID: 17694895.
Find Similar Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from similar body parts
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
References
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/fulltextUrits I, Burshtein A, Sharma M, Testa L, Gold PA, Orhurhu V, Viswanath O, Jones MR, Sidransky MA, Spektor B, Kaye AD. Low Back Pain, a Comprehensive Review: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019 Mar 11;23(3):23. doi: 10.1007/s11916-019-0757-1. PMID: 30854609.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-019-0757-1Delitto A, George SZ, Van Dillen L, Whitman JM, Sowa G, Shekelle P, Denninger TR, Godges JJ; Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Low back pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2012 Apr;42(4):A1-57. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2012.42.4.A1. Epub 2012 Mar 30. PMID: 22466247; PMCID: PMC4893951.
https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2012.42.4.A1Patrick N, Emanski E, Knaub MA. Acute and chronic low back pain. Med Clin North Am. 2014 Jul;98(4):777-89, xii. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2014.03.005. PMID: 24994051.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025712514000443?via%3Dihub
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.
What People Say about Ubie?
Male, 30s
I got more answers in one minute through your site than I did in three hours with Google.
(Sep 29, 2024)
Male, 20s
My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
(Sep 27, 2024)
Male, 50s
The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizUbie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1