Back Pain: Symptoms

Triggers are usually mechanical factors such as heavy lifting, bending or twisting movements, preferably after prolonged exertion. While initially back pain appears only occasionally, it becomes more frequent as well as stronger as it progresses. Back pain persists even during periods of recovery. In these cases, the transition to chronic back pain is fluid.

Symptoms of back pain

Acute, sudden attacks of pain (lumbago, lumbago) with poor posture can be caused by blockages of the small vertebral joints or also by a herniated disc. Blocked ileosacral joints (ISG) are also frequently the cause of shooting back pain. Accompanying but also as a sole symptom, pain radiating into the legs can occur. This may or may not be caused by a herniated disc.

Also overloads of the ligamentous structures in particular of the lower lumbar spine as well as ISG blockages can cause such radiating pain into the buttocks as well as the legs.

The chronic course of back pain

The chronic course is usually of a wavelike character, that is, phases of acutely occurring severe low back pain are followed by phases of freedom from pain. However, these phases may become much shorter as the disease progresses, resulting in the development of continuous pain even at rest.

Wear-related protrusions of the intervertebral discs can put pressure on nerve roots and ligamentous structures, causing a characteristic pain that typically worsens when the patient is sitting. The nerves are irritated by the pressure, and the radiation of pain (sciatica) occurs in the area of the skin and muscles supplied by this particular nerve root. Similar pain also occurs with a herniated disc.

The small vertebral joints can also develop increasing wear and tear, similar to other joints in the human body, so that pain occurs primarily when standing and walking. The discomfort typically increases when leaning backward and decreases when leaning forward and sitting.

How common is back pain?

In industrialized countries, many people suffer from low back pain. It is estimated that approximately 80 to 90 percent of all people suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives. Those aged 30 to 50 are most commonly affected. Due to increasing life expectancy, however, more and more older people are also affected in their quality of life by function-limiting chronic back pain.

Damage to intervertebral discs is one of the 20 most frequent diagnoses among hospital patients. Sick leave due to back pain causes a total of around 50 million lost working days per year. And, of course, immense costs. And what’s more, nearly one in five early retirees owes their early retirement to their back condition.