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 Jan 4, 2023
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
Try one of these related symptoms.
Low back pain
Pain in the lower back worsens when standing up
Pain on one side started first
Lying on the back improves pain
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 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.
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
- Spondyloarthropathy
- Bone Tumor
- Transverse Myelitis
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
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 diseases could cause lower back pain?
A.
Lower back pain might be caused by an issue in the spine itself, or it may come from elsewhere, including from diseases or psychological factors like stress.
References:
Japanese Orthopaedic Association, Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research. Clinical Guidelines for Low Back Pain, 2nd Revised Edition. Nan'endo, 2019.
https://minds.jcqhc.or.jp/docs/gl_pdf/G0001110/4/Low_back_pain.pdf
Q.
Can lower back pain be caused by a herniated disc in the lumbar spine?
A.
If you feel pain or tingling not only in your lower back but also in your buttocks, the back of your thighs, or your shins, it might be a sign of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine.
References:
Clinical Practice Guideline Committee for Lumbar Disc Herniation & Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment Guideline Development Committee. Lumbar Disc Herniation Treatment Guidelines, 3rd Edition, Revised 2021. Nankodo; 2021. Referenced August 5, 2023.
Q.
Can I get back pain before or during my period?
A.
Yes, back pain before or during your period is part of menstrual symptoms and cramps, and many women experience it.
References:
Smith, Derek R et al. Menstrual disorders and their influence on low back pain among Japanese nurses. Industrial health. 2009, 47, p.301-12.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19531916/
Huei-Mein Chen. Randomized Trial of Modified Stretching Exercise Program for Menstrual Low Back Pain. West J Nurs Res. 2019, 41, p.238-257.
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)
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