Back & Neck Pain Overview of Back Pain Caused by Lumbago By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, CPT Facebook LinkedIn Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 29, 2022 Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD LinkedIn Stuart Hershman, MD, is a board-certified spine surgeon. He specializes in spinal deformity and complex spinal reconstruction. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Lumbago is a general term often used to describe pain in the lower back. Most of the time, lumbago is due to muscle strains, fatigue (poor posture), spinal stenosis, or arthritis. Fractures, cancer, infection, and vascular disease are less common causes. georgeclerk / iStock / Getty Images Getting Your Lumbago Diagnosed The term “lumbago” doesn’t give specific information as to the cause of the low back pain, and it's not an official medical diagnosis. Low back pain can cause persistent discomfort, and it can limit your activities. If it's not properly managed, symptoms can worsen and the underlying issue can progress. For example, mild muscle strain can lead to severe muscle spasms or spine deformities over time. During your initial evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions about your pain such as: The intensity of your symptomsThe location(s) of symptoms and painThe type of sensations you experience (i.e., are they dull, throbbing, sharp, etc.)The timing of the pain (i.e., are you constantly having symptoms, or only intermittently, or is there a particular time of day when they are worse or better?) They will also talk to you about how much your symptoms disrupt your daily activities or quality of life. And you will have a physical exam, which can help determine whether you have nerve or spine involvement. Depending on your initial evaluation, the next steps may include: Imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, and/or X-ray to look for structural problems, such as a fracture or a tumor Laboratory tests such as complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), to check for signs of inflammation or infection Is Your Back Pain Non-Specific, Mechanical, or Serious? What Are the Treatments for Lumbago? Your healthcare provider will recommend some treatments, based on the cause of your low back pain. Treatments can be used to relieve symptoms, and also to manage the underlying problem, and prevent it from getting worse. Some recommendations your provider might make include: Over the counter acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugPrescription muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, or pain relieverReferral to a physical therapistReferral to a spine specialist or a pain management specialist Often, several therapies are initiated at the same time for more effective outcomes. This can include a combination of physical therapy and over-the-counter acetaminophen, for example. Treatment usually follows a stepwise progression, with conservative, less risky treatments used first. You might have physical therapy before proceeding to surgical evaluation. However, if there is a serious structural issue that is expected to improve with surgery, you might be referred for a surgical evaluation sooner, without an initial trial of conservative management. To Operate or Not to Operate? If your lumbago is accompanied by pain, electrical sensations such as pins and needles, shock, burning, weakness, or numbness that goes down one leg, your healthcare provider may refer you to a spine surgeon. Many people worry that because they need to see a spine surgeon, this automatically means they will need some kind of a procedure, or that they will be pressured to agree to one. The truth is that a visit to a surgeon may mean back surgery is in your future, but it doesn't have to. Often, spine surgeons recommend other less invasive options, such as pain injections or injections of antiinflammatory medication. Standing Lumbar Flexion for Low Back Pain 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. North American Spine Society. Evidence-based clinical guidelines for multidisciplinary spine care: diagnosis & treatment of low back pain. Casazza BA. Diagnosis and treatment of acute low back pain. Am Fam Physician. 2012;85(4):343-350. PMID: 22335313 By Anne Asher, CPT Anne Asher, ACE-certified personal trainer, health coach, and orthopedic exercise specialist, is a back and neck pain expert. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit