What is lower back pain?

Lower back pain is a common condition that may result due to weakened or overstretched muscles, joints and ligaments. It affects up to 80% of the Singaporean adult population.

What are the symptoms of lower back pain?

​In severe cases, you may have the following symptoms. Seek medical help early.

• Pain that does not go away despite enough rest
• Severe pain at a spot
• Numbness or weakness in the legs
• Difficulty walking
• Inability to control bladder or bowels
• History of cancer

How is lower back pain prevented?

Low back pain can be prevented and managed through lifestyle modifications:

• Have a good posture
• Avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Lift properly and avoid bending at the waist
• Change your workspace to reduce strain on the back
• Exercise regularly to strengthen and increase the flexibility of back muscles. e.g. swimming, brisk walking,
  cycling
• Sleep on a firm mattress
  

What causes lower back pain?

Causes include:

• Weakened or overstretched muscles, joints and ligaments
• Slipped disc possibly from a sports injury (Figure 1)
  
• Degenerative diseases affecting the spine
• Fracture (Figure 2)
  
• Infection (Figure 3)
  
• Tumours in the spine (Figure 4)
• Excess body weight increasing strain on the lower back
• Lack of exercise resulting in weak back muscles to support the spine
• Frequent heavy lifting using the wrong posture
  

Figure 1 Slipped disc (Left); Figure 2 Spine fracture (Right)

Figure 3 Spine infection (Left); Figure 4 Tumour in the spine (Right)

How is lower back pain diagnosed?

How is lower back pain treated?

Conservative management

• Rest and restrict activities until well
• Take pain medications as advised
  
• Exercise at least twice a day to strengthen the back, stomach and hip muscles
• Hot or cold compression to temporarily relieve pain
  

Surgery

• Inability to control bladder or bowels
  
• Numbness and weakness in the lower limbs
• Pain that does not go away despite treatment