Acute lower back pain
Subacute lower back pain
Chronic lower back pain
Acute lower back pain is an isolated episode that occurs after a sudden movement (or repetitive movement), excessive twisting, lifting a heavy object (especially with the back bent), etc. The pain subsides within a few days, and in rarer cases even after a few weeks.
Chronic and Subacute Lower Back Pain:
Unlike acute lower back pain, which is an isolated episode lasting no more than a week or two, lower back pain is considered subacute when it lasts longer than four weeks and chronic when episodes of lumbago recur regularly after three months. It is estimated that 5 to 10% of acute lower back pain cases become chronic.
Specific Lower Back Pain
In addition to these two types of so-called “ordinary” lower back pain, which has a purely mechanical origin, less frequently encountered is “specific” lower back pain, which is pain resulting from a diagnosed condition such as scoliosis, fracture, infection, etc.
Lower Back Pain Statistics:
Lower back pain is a particularly common complaint. Eight out of ten people in France have suffered, are suffering, or will suffer from back pain at least once in their lives. Back pain, especially acute lower back pain, is the second most common reason for consulting a doctor, according to the French National Health Fund.
It’s also a health issue that particularly impacts the workplace. According to the INRS (National Institute for Research and Safety), lower back pain accounts for 20% of occupational accidents and 7% of occupational illnesses, and one in five cases of lower back pain results in sick leave.
Lumbago Symptoms
: Lumbago is characterized by lower back pain of varying intensity, which comes on suddenly, from mild discomfort to severe, incapacitating pain.
The pain is located directly in the lower back, in the lumbar region, and can sometimes radiate to the buttocks, back of the thigh, calf, and/or groin. The muscles are tense, and the back is stiff. In cases of acute pain, the back often bends forward or to the side. This lower back pain typically occurs suddenly, following what is often called a “wrong movement.”
Lower back pain is sometimes accompanied by a sharp, stabbing sensation, a stabbing pain, or a tingling sensation in the back or buttocks. If the pain comes on suddenly and without an obvious cause, it’s called lumbago. If the pain persists for more than three months, it’s called chronic lower back pain.
It’s important to know, however, that there’s no correlation between pain intensity and the severity of acute lower back pain. Sometimes, the pain is accompanied by a feeling of stiffness or even complete locking.
Lower Back Pain and Sciatica: What’s the Difference?
The pain of lumbago can be similar to that of sciatica. Lumbago can occur after a coughing fit or when standing up. Sciatica, less common than lumbago, is characterized by electric shock-like pain that begins in the lower back and may radiate to the foot.
