Four factors to know about lower back pain and its treatment
The lower back is also known as the lumbar spine that is amazingly structured to interconnect the bones, the nerves, the joints, the muscles, and the ligaments. All of these works together to provide strength, flexibility, and support to the lower back. However, the structure is complex and easily prone to pain and injury.
Lower back pain can start suddenly or it can begin slowly and increase in its intensity gradually over time.

What causes lower back pain?
Mechanical issues and soft-tissue injuries are the common causes leading to lower back pain. There can also be various other causes of lower back pain, they include-

• Carrying heavy weight – Even if one is carrying a purse, a briefcase, or a backpack, it is the lower back that supports the upper body. Carrying an overstuffed bag can put a strain on the lower back, especially, if one is carrying a heavy bag every day for long hours.
• Workout – Over-exertion at the gym, golf course, or any other sports activity is one of the most common causes of overextended muscles that lead to lower back pain. A person is more vulnerable to lower pain if he/she spend long hours playing sports on the weekend and is inactive throughout the other days of the week.
• Posture – The weight of the body is supported best when one does not slouch. Standing and sitting straight helps in providing support to the lower back and shoulders. It is important to keep the weight evenly balanced on both feet while standing.

How is lower back pain diagnosed?
Obtaining a precise diagnosis helps in recognizing the underlying causes of pain, which may not necessarily correlate to the symptoms. Below are some ways in which a doctor understands the patient’s lower back pain in order to decide the best treatment plan:

• Knowing the patient’s history – Collecting and analyzing information about the patient’s current symptoms, posture, sleeping habits, injuries, and activity levels.
• Conducting a physical examination – Physical examination for lower back pain includes palpation, reflex test, the range of motion test, neurological examination, and leg raise test.
• Imaging tests – Common imaging tests for diagnosing lower back pain include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, a myelogram, and injection tests.

What factors should one consider before back surgery?
An alternative treatment for severe lower back pain is surgery, usually, opted for only when the person does not feel better after six to twelve weeks of non-surgical treatments, therapy options, medication. Some factors one should consider before opting for surgery lower back pain treatment are-

• Ability to function – If one can complete routine activities with manageable back pain and the pain does not interrupt any activity or sleep, usually, non-surgical lower back pain treatment options are recommended.
• Lifestyle and healing process – There is a different level of time commitment that is required for surgical and non-surgical care. The healing process after surgery will affect the patient’s ability to function in everyday life. This is because surgical procedures usually take a long time to recover as compared to the non-surgical procedures.
• Mental health – A positive correlation between the mental and emotional well-being and the improvement and satisfaction after surgery have a positive correlation.
• Type of surgery – The time needed for recovery, the pain, and surgery aftercare depend upon the type of surgery that is conducted. Some surgeries are more invasive than others. Many types of spine surgery can be done on an outpatient basis with a short time of recovery with the help of modern surgical approach and an experienced surgeon.

What types of surgeries are conducted for lower back pain?
There are various types of surgeries that are conducted for the treatment of lower back pain. Below are some of the common types of surgical procedures-

• Discectomy (percutaneous and microsurgical)
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty
• Spinal fusion
• Laminectomy