Lumbago is a term used to describe mild to severe low back pain. It is a common musculo-skeletal disorder which has been experienced by approximately 60% of adults at some point in their lives. If pain is lasted for more than three months, then it can be acute (sudden and severe) or chronic and affects young and old people. It accounts for more lost work days and disability than any other medical condition. This disorder involves the lumbar vertebrae and associated soft tissue structures such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and inter-vertebral discs. Suddenly, the back pain can occur after lifting things, or gradually through overuse for example repetitive movements when decorating, gardening etc, or even for no obvious reason.

In the human body, the low back or lumbar area serves a number of important functions, including structural support, movement, and protection of certain body tissues. On standing position, the lower back functions to support the weight of the upper body. The lower back is also involved in the movement while bending, extending, or rotating at the waist. So, the injury to the structures essential for weight bearing, for example the bony spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, frequently can be noticed when the body is standing upright or used in various movements.

Lower back pain can vary in its intensity, leading to restricted movement. It may spread into the buttocks and upper thigh regions and can be localized to the lower back itself, below the waist, or extend down through the buttocks and on down through the back of the legs and right down to the feet. Lumbago can be continuous and persistent and lead to a chronic disability in a small percentage of people.

Causes of Lumbago:

Strain:

Lumbago can be caused by improper lifting and handling of heavy items for the distributed weight of the person. From all the body parts; the back and stomach carry most of work force.

Fat stomach:

This will cause back problem, as a Fat Stomach will pull the back muscles inward. You can decrease excess belly fat without pills and strenuous exercise by using a Neoprene body wrap. When you wrap this around your middle, it will cause the area to sweat and also support the stomach and back. Such support tools will decrease not only the extra subcutaneous tissue but also decrease back pain. Ensure that you use the wrap over cotton clothing, like shorts, undergarments, etc. otherwise, if left on the skin you will develop blisters.

Improper Diet:

Improper diet also causes lumbago. Constipation may be produced with the intake of improper diet. Flax Seed will scrape the walls of the colon and helps in proper elimination. Take one tablespoon full of it once a day. Put it in your mouth, half of a tablespoon at a time and swallow it down the hatch.

Hot and Cold:

If your body is cool and suddenly warm off or vice versa, then it can cause lumbago. It causes the tightening of muscle. Don’t sit on cement, stone or marble as these drain the body temperature from the derriere area and can cause the back to suffer for it.

Low back pain or lumbago can also be caused by many things. Here are some of the other common conditions:

Common causes of lower back pain:

Lumbar strain (acute, chronic)

Nerve irritation

Lumbar Radiculopathy (Herniated Disc)

Bony encroachment

Conditions of the bone and joints

Congenital bone conditions (Scoliosis  and spina bifida)

Degenerative bone and joint conditions (Osteoarthritis or Spondylosis)

Injury to the bones and joints (Osteoporosis)

Arthritis

Other causes of lower back pain:

Kidney problems

Pregnancy

Ovary problems

Tumors

Uncommon causes of low back pain:

Paget’s disease of bone

Bleeding or infection in the pelvis

Infection of the cartilage and/or bone of the spine

Aneurysm of the aorta

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Symptoms of Lumbago:

Spinal muscle spasms cause the back to feel stiff and sore.

Back pain and muscle spasm can be so acute that posture is affected. The patient may appear to be listing to one side.

Low back pain may radiate into the buttocks, back of the thigh, into the groin.

Lumbago may cause tingling sensations to be felt in the low back, buttocks, and legs.

In rare cases, lumbago cause serious symptoms that need immediate medical care. But, the following warning signs are good to know:

Leg numbness

Loss of leg strength

Loss of bladder or bowel control

Treatment of Lumbago:

The low back pain can be treated depending on the precise cause of if. Additionally, each patient must be individually assessed and managed in the context of the underlying background health status and activity level. For most patients, conservative treatment is the most likely course of action. Treatment options include rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, traction, short wave diathermy, weight control, and steroid injections in step by step order. Surgical intervention is considered, if a patient does not get relief after 8 to 12 weeks of conservative therapy.

In Ayurveda, Lumbago is called as Kateeshoola with “Kati” referring to the lower back and “Shula” referring to pain. Treatment consists of three approaches, removal (Sodhanam) of the accumulated toxic products of digestion, metabolism and the disease process, pacification (Samanam) and correction of the entities responsible for altered functioning and Rasayanam (Rejuvenation) of the bodily tissue to reclaim and maintain natural strength and vitality.

Acute low back pain treatment:

Beneficial: NSAIDs such as ibuprofen. Advice to stay active

Mostly, a doctor diagnose back problem from the information given from the patient.

Usually, chiropractors perform an especially thorough examination and will watch the movement of the joints in the spine, pelvis, and hips, perform orthopaedic and muscle tests and check to see if any nerves are trapped in the spine.

It is seldom essential to take X-rays, scans or blood tests in order to rule out more serious underlying causes of back pain.

In case of sports injury, a specialist or doctor:

Determine the cause and advise on posture and exercises

Apply traction or joint manipulation techniques

Use Ultrasound, TENS or Interferential treatment

Prescribe a full rehabilitation and strengthening programme

Use sports massage techniques

Prescribe anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, or muscle relaxing medication

Herbal Treatment:

2 Tablespoons Powdered Mullein

3 Tablespoons Powdered Slippery Elm Bark

1 Tablespoon Lobelia

1 small teaspoon Cayenne

Combine all ingredients together and then mix in enough boiling hot distilled or purified water to prepare a thick paste, about 1 quarter inch thickness. Prepare a muslin pouch large enough to cover the area or spread evenly on a white cotton cloth. Apply on affected area, while the paste is still fairly hot and cover with plastic wrap. Leave it for at least 2 hours. Do not use again or reheat the contents of the poultice. Always employ fresh herbs when reapplying an application. It is the best way to treat lumbago pain.

Also, you can take bath with baking soda and use some pain killers. Drink cranberry juice, if you cannot use pain killers. Diet, life style modifications and yogasanas are also advised along with medical management.