Painlink

Joint · Back · Spine

Spine pain

Common at this spot

Ordered by how common, not by search volume.

  1. Lumbar disc herniation

    Pain and tingling run from the low back down the leg, worse when coughing

    Get help right away if

    Call emergency services or go to A&E if you have any of these — numbness around your bottom or genitals, being unable to pee, losing feeling in one or both legs, losing control of your bladder or bowels, or if it started after a serious accident such as a car crash.

    Why it happens

    A soft cushion of tissue between the bones of your spine bulges outwards. If the bulge presses on a nerve, it causes pain. Age, too much exercise, lifting heavy things the wrong way, sitting or driving for long periods, being inactive, and being overweight can all contribute.

    How it feels

    • Back pain
    • Numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, hands, legs, or feet
    • Neck pain
    • Difficulty bending or straightening your back
    • Muscle weakness
    • Pain in the buttocks, hips, or legs if the sciatic nerve is affected

    When to see a doctor

    See a doctor if painkillers do not help or it does not improve after a few weeks, if you have a high temperature, unexplained weight loss, swelling in your back, or if it gets worse at night.

    Not all slipped discs cause symptoms.

    Source: NHS (UK)

  2. Lumbar spinal stenosis

    The legs feel ready to burst after a short walk, forcing you to rest

    Get help right away if

    Call emergency services or go to A&E if both legs become severely weak or numb, if you lose feeling around your genitals or anus, or if you cannot control your bladder or bowels.

    Why it happens

    The spine narrows and presses on the nerves and spinal cord inside it. It comes with age over 50, after a spine injury or with a naturally narrow spinal canal, and with conditions such as arthritis or scoliosis.

    How it feels

    • Pain in the neck or back
    • Numbness, weakness, cramping, or pain in the arms and legs
    • Pain that runs down the leg
    • Problems with the feet
    • It can come on slowly, or cause no symptoms at all

    Source: MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) · NHS (UK)

  3. Acute lumbar sprain

    After a wrong move the back hurts too much to bend or straighten

    Get help right away if

    Call emergency services or go to A&E if you heard a crack when it happened, if the injured part has changed shape, if it has turned blue or grey, or if it feels numb.

    Why it happens

    Something has been overstretched or torn — here, the muscles and ligaments of the low back. It happens when you overstretch or twist, and more easily if you did not warm up or it was already tired.

    How it feels

    • Pain, tenderness, or weakness
    • Swelling or bruising
    • Muscle cramping or spasms
    • You cannot put weight on it or use it normally

    How long it usually lasts

    Most feel better after about 2 weeks. Avoid heavy exercise such as running for up to 8 weeks.

    When to see a doctor

    Get advice if severe pain is getting worse, if swelling or bruising is bad or worsening, if you cannot put weight on it or move it, or if you have a high temperature or feel shivery (that can mean infection).

    Source: NHS (UK)

  4. Spondylolisthesis

    Standing a while makes the low back feel like it's giving way, with tingling legs

  5. Lumbar facet joint syndrome

    A stabbing catch when you lean back or twist

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