What Causes Sudden Sharp Pain in the Lower Back?
Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among adults in the United States. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, approximately 75 to 85% of Americans will develop lower back pain at least once in their life1.
In some cases, lower back pain occurs gradually over time. In other instances, however, sudden sharp lower back pain has a rapid onset, which causes discomfort in the lumbar region of the back. This is sometimes referred to as acute back pain.
Sudden lower back pain can significantly impact daily life, limiting mobility and decreasing overall well-being. Acute back pain can take a few weeks to resolve, but in some cases, it can become longer lasting.
Fortunately, once the cause of lower back pain is identified, treatment will be available to decrease symptoms and speed healing.
Common Causes of Sudden Sharp Lower Back Pain
Identifying the cause of back pain can help determine the best treatment for your situation. However, there are many factors that may cause sharp back pain or lumbar pain, including:
- Injured joints, bones, or muscles
- Degenerative conditions that affect the spring
- Issues with internal organs
These different causes fall into two categories: mechanical and non-mechanical.
Mechanical Causes
Mechanical causes of acute lower back pain often stem from issues with the structures in the lower back, such as muscles, discs, and bones. Common mechanical causes include:
Muscle strains
A muscle strain, also known as pulled muscles, in the lower back occurs when the muscles are overstretched or torn, often from improper lifting or overexertion. Symptoms include sharp pain, a dull ache that worsens with movement, difficulty walking, and pain when standing up from sitting.
Herniated discs
A herniated lumbar disc occurs when the disc's inner material bulges out of its rigid shell and presses on nearby spinal cord nerves. In addition to sharp pain, a herniated disc can cause weakness, numbness, or tingling that travels down the leg.
Compression fracture
A compression fracture develops when a back vertebrae breaks or collapses. This usually occurs from an underlying condition, such as osteoporosis, that weakens backbones. Symptoms typically include sudden pain in the lower back, weakness or numbness in the lower extremities, and leg pain.
Muscle spasm
Tense lower back or glute muscles, such as the piriformis muscle, can spasm and lead to acute lower back pain. These spasms may develop from overuse, dehydration, or nerve compressions. Symptoms may include pain and numbness or weakness in the legs.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back to the buttocks and legs. Compression of this nerve, caused by issues like a herniated disc or inflamed piriformis muscle, can result in lower back pain. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the legs or feet.
Non-mechanical Causes
Sudden lower back pain can also arise from non-mechanical causes, such as issues with internal organs or medical conditions that cause referred pain. Common non-mechanical causes include:
Kidney conditions
One non-mechanical cause of lower back pain includes kidney infections or kidney stones.
Many types of infections may lead to back pain, including:
- Pyelonephritis
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Abscesses
- Fungal infections
Kidney stones are hard deposits of acid salts and minerals that form in the kidneys. Symptoms include blood in the urine, pain during urination, and sharp side pain that can radiate to the back.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
The aortic artery travels down the middle of the body and may develop an aortic aneurysm if a section of the arterial wall weakens and expands. Symptoms may include severe or sudden back pain and pain in the abdomen.
Infections
Various types of infections, including viral and bacterial infections, can lead to sudden pain in the spine. Spinal infections are most common after surgery or trauma to the back. In addition to pain, symptoms may also include fever and fatigue.
Treatment for non-mechanical causes of pain in the lower back typically includes symptom management to reduce discomfort. Treating the underlying cause will also ease symptoms of back pain.
Home Remedies for Sudden Back Pain
Treatment for acute back pain may include home remedies to ease discomfort. Home remedies may include:
- Applying ice and heat to the painful area
- Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
- Topical pain relieving creams or ointments
- Back bracing for additional support and stability
Rest and Activity Recommendations
While rest may seem the best option for back pain, bed rest is not typically recommended. Instead, limiting activities can help relieve the risk of pain and worsen the condition.
Activities that should be limited include:
- Vigorous exercise
- Extensive bending or twisting
- Heavy lifting
On the other hand, activities such as yoga and light stretching may help reduce tension and stiffness and promote blood flow to the area.
Speak to a professional about the best exercises and activities to help relieve specific pain concerns.
Effective Treatment Methods for Sharp Lower Back Pain
Exact treatment recommendations vary based on the cause of sharp lower back pain. For example, mild strains may only require home remedies and rest.
However, more serious injuries to the lower back may require additional treatment.
Conservative Treatments
Conservative treatments may be recommended based on the severity of symptoms and the cause. These can include:
Physical therapy
Physical therapy helps reduce sharp lower back pain by improving strength and flexibility in the abdominal and core muscles. Physical therapy may utilize different modalities, including exercise, ultrasound, and electrical muscle stimulation.
Medications
Medications such as steroids or muscle relaxants may be prescribed to decrease inflammation and reduce spasms. However, only certain medications are typically prescribed for short-term use due to the potential negative side effects.
Chiropractic care
Chiropractic care may include spinal manipulation to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves or sciatic nerve.
Massage
Different forms of massage are available that involve manipulating the soft tissue to ease muscle soreness and tension. Massage can also stimulate blood flow to the area, which helps promote healing.
Additional Medical Treatments
Additional medical procedures may be considered if conservative treatments don't relieve pain. These include:
MILD procedure
A minimally invasive lumbar decompression, also known as a MILD procedure, helps treat low back pain caused by spinal stenosis. The procedure reduces pressure on the nerve and decreases pain. It involves removing the thickened ligament, helping create more space in the spinal canal, and reducing pressure on the spinal nerves.
Injections
Various injections can decrease inflammation, reduce pain, and improve mobility and functioning. The exact type of injection may vary depending on the cause of back pain and the severity of symptoms. Injections may include:
Long-term Back Pain Management Strategies
Once back pain is treated, it may return. A comprehensive plan to manage and prevent back pain typically includes lifestyle changes and preventative measures.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications are key to managing low back pain. A combination of lifestyle changes often works best in controlling pain and reducing the risk of future episodes.
Lifestyle modifications to manage low back pain include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight to decrease the strain on the spine's lower back muscles and bones
- Exercise regularly to improve the strength and flexibility of the abdominal and core muscles.
- Quitting smoking as smoking can accelerate degenerative disc disease
- Maintaining a healthy diet to promote good health and overall well-being
Preventive Measures
Preventative measures are also helpful to reduce the risk of further back injuries.
Consider the following ways to prevent back pain:
- Make proper ergonomic adjustments at the workplace, such as setting up workstations to reduce strain on back muscles.
- Practice proper lifting techniques, such as bending at the knees instead of lifting with the back and keeping the load close to the body.
- When walking, maintain good posture, with shoulders back and core engaged, and avoid slouching when sitting.
- Stretch regularly to improve flexibility and range of motion in the back muscles.
- Maintain consistency in back pain management strategies to achieve the best results and reduce the risk of progressing symptoms.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Sharp pain in the lower back can progress and lead to symptoms that interfere with daily living. If home remedies and rest do not improve symptoms within a few days, seek medical attention from a healthcare professional.
Medical attention should also be sought if there is increased difficulty walking, unintended weight loss, or the development of severe pain.
Red Flags for Medical Attention
In some cases, sudden sharp lumbar pain can indicate a serious medical problem that requires immediate medical attention. Red flags that indicate you should seek immediate medical help include:
- Sudden severe pain, tingling, or numbness in the lower back or legs
- Fever, chills, or severe fatigue
- Loss of bowel control or bladder function
Sudden sharp pain in the lower back can become debilitating, interfering with work, recreational activities, and everyday life. However, with proper treatment and management, symptoms can be reduced and quality of life improved.
If you are suffering from a sharp pain in the lower back, we are happy to help determine the cause and offer relief. Contact Advanced Spine and Pain today to schedule an appointment.
Contact us online or at 480-573-0130.
Source
- Low Back Pain. (2024). American Association of Neurological Surgeons. https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/low-back-pain/