What Are the Causes of Lower Left Back Pain?
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The Process of Lower Back Pain
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According to Consumer Reports Health, one in four US adults has suffered from lower back pain which has lasted the entire day, and lower back pain is the fifth common reason individuals seek medical treatment. Lower back pain is usually a symptom of other issues affecting the body. For instance, it can be associated with cancer, a bone fractures or infections. The pain can also be associated with organ problems. This is called referred pain and can be caused by intra-abdominal disorders like kidney disease, appendicitis or ovarian disorders. However, lower back pain doesn't have to be associated with an illness, disease or disorder.
Sharp Pain
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If there is pain in one spot in the lower back plus numbness in the area of the leg, then the most common cause is syndromes affecting the nerve root. These nerve root syndromes are caused by a touched, or pinched, nerve. This can be the result of a bulging of the disc between the lower back bones or sciatica. Herniated or slipped disks cause sharp pain which radiates down one leg and can worsen when sitting, sneezing, coughing or bending forward.
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Trigger Point Pain
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Pain is produced in the lower back at other localized areas called trigger points, along with tenderness caused by fibromyalgia. This pain and tenderness can be across 11 of the 18 trigger points. Other symptoms include fatigue, muscle ache and stiffness. Trigger points are also associated with myofascial pain syndromes. These syndromes cause lower back pain, tenderness and pain in the peripheral nerve. Pain can be relieved with stretching.
Pain with Dysfunction
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Lower back pain can be a medical emergency if caused by cauda equina syndrome. With this syndrome the nerves are compressed when the disc material expands into the spinal canal. So, in addition to lower back pain, possible bowel or bladder dysfunction, an inability to control urination can occur.
Back Pain
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If lower back pain doesn't accompany leg weakness or numbness and is located just in the lower back, there can be various causes for the pain. For instance, the lower back pain can feel worse when twisting, lying down, bending forward and backward or straighten the back. The pain can sometimes be relieved by resting in the fetal position. This pain can be caused by muscle spasm, strained muscle, or a nonslipped disk which presses on the nerves or ligament sprain. This particular lower back pain is caused by physical activities like basketball, running and climbing.
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