The pain in the waist, also known as lumbago, is a very unpleasant feeling that makes the patient’s everyday life much more difficult. But what is lumbago exactly and what causes it? How does it develop and how can it be treated?

Lumbago is a latin word. It means low back pain. The pain usually occurs in the area, between the lower rib and the pubic arch. In most cases, the pain radiates into the lower limbs.

Lumbago itself is not a disease, it is an unpleasant condition that occurs due to overload of the lumbar spine or as a consequence of bad movements. Lower back pain may have several causes, such as spinal disorders (ageing, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, etc.) or pain that radiates into the lumbar area, thanks to the diseases of the internal organs or stressful condition.

The duration and the intensity can be acute (within a month), or chronic (over three months).

The development of lower back pain doesn’t depend on age.  It may develop in young people, but its occurrence among the 35-55 age group is the most common. Within the mentioned age group, it is twice as common in women then in men.

The spinal column consists of flexible intervertebral discs and small joints surrounded by joint capsule. The stability and movements are provided by a flexible ligament and muscular system from each side. There are sensory nerves in the structural components of the spine. These nerves become stimulated in case of overload, damage or dysfunction in the components, causing hyperextension of the muscles. In case of herniated disc, the sensory nerves and the nerve roots also getting under pressure, and the pain continues to radiate towards the limbs.

Lumbago itself is a symptom that can be accompanied by sudden pain in the acut phase, muscle tension, and sometimes an immobilized status. The patient’s waist is pressure sensitive. In the chronic phase, these accompanying symptoms are less intense, but limit daily activity, and impair the quality of the patient’s life.

Since lumbago may have many causes, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist or rheumatologist to set the proper diagnosis. On the basis of the diagnosis, the specialist makes the treatment plan.

In the acute phase, lumbago is treated with anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug therapy, and muscle relaxant creams. It is advisable, to lay on a hard mattress for a day or two. It provides proper support for the spine. The best way to relieve the spine is to have a side-lying position, with raised knees. In acute phase, physiotherapy is not the most appropriate solution.

In the chronic phase, physiotherapy and alternative therapies can relieve pain. Physiotherapy helps to strengthen the skeletal muscle and improve the posture.

Regular exercises, healthy eating, ergonomically suitable chair, and an ideal mattress that provide proper support for the spine is necessary to preserve healthy body and posture.