Introduction: About Low Back Pain

Terminology

• Doctors may use the term “low back strain” to refer to a variety of minor muscle, ligament and joint problems.
• Acute low back pain goes away within 4 weeks and accounts for 90% of cases. Pain lasting between four and 12 weeks may be called “subacute pain.” (Julia Belluz)
• Pain lasting more than 12 weeks is considered chronic.
• Doctors often use the term “nonspecific low back pain” when the pain has no detectable cause.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness