Why do I have a sharp pain in my lower back?

A sharp pain in the lower back can be a symptom of various underlying problems. Before reading further and self-diagnosing yourself with one, or all, of the mentioned ailments, it is important that you schedule an evaluation with a medical professional. The staff at Armor Physical Therapy has extensive training that includes advanced training in differential diagnosis and treatment of spine and back pain. Don’t wait any longer; contact us today for relief.

Sharp pain in the lower back could be …

There are a number of risk factors that contribute to developing low back pain. Factors that contribute are age (low back pain often begins between 30 and 50), fitness level, weight gain, genetics, occupation, carrying a heavy backpack, pregnancy and stress to name a few. The best way to diagnose your low back pain is through an examination of your complete medical history combined with a physical.  

The majority of lower back pain is simply mechanical. Normal wear and tear on the joints, discs and bones occurs over time. Another common medical back problem is sciatica. But sciatica is not actually a medical diagnosis. Instead, it is a symptom of an underlying problem. Following is a list of what sharp pain in the lower back could be an indicator of:

• Poor posture
• Muscle strain
• Traumatic injury
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Compression fracture
• Spinal stenosis
• Skeletal irregularities, like scoliosis or lordosis

More serious conditions such as spinal infection, abdominal aortic aneurysm, kidney stones or a kidney infection are rare but require immediate attention. Lower back pain can also be a sign of arthritis, osteoporosis, endometriosis or fibromyalgia. The majority of sharp lower back pain can be solved by strengthening and increasing the flexibility of back muscles.

Physical Therapy can help reduce sharp lower back pain

Our specialists at Armor Physical Therapy want to see you return safely to your previous activities with fewer symptoms. You’ll be equipped with the tools to manage your symptoms and the knowledge to prevent the sharp pain in the lower back from returning. Don’t wait any longer. Contact us today to schedule your complimentary 15-minute screening to determine the cause of the sharp pain in your lower back.