Lower Back Pain Assessment: Identifying Potential Causes

Lower back pain is a common ailment with a variety of potential causes. This assessment helps identify the most likely source of your discomfort.

Consider the following factors:

• Recent Activities: Have you recently lifted heavy objects, engaged in strenuous exercise, or experienced a fall?
• Pain Characteristics: Is the pain sharp, dull, or throbbing? Does it radiate down your leg?
• Associated Symptoms: Are you experiencing numbness, tingling, weakness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction?
• Pain Location: Is the pain localized to the lower back, or does it extend to other areas?
• Aggravating/Relieving Factors: What activities worsen or alleviate the pain?

Based on your answers, consider possible causes such as muscle strain, herniated disc, sciatica, or spinal stenosis.