Main symptoms
- •Lower-back pain (between the lowest ribs and the buttock crease)
- •Morning stiffness
- •Pain worsened by effort (common low back pain)
- •Radiating pain to buttock or leg (sciatica)
- •Limited mobility
- •Palpable muscle spasm
Risk factors
- ⚠️ Improper efforts, lifting heavy loads
- ⚠️ Prolonged sitting (remote work, drivers)
- ⚠️ Sedentary lifestyle and lack of strength training
- ⚠️ Overweight (BMI > 25)
- ⚠️ Pregnancy
- ⚠️ Lumbar osteoarthritis (after age 50)
- ⚠️ Stress and poor emotional management
- ⚠️ Unsuitable mattress
Management and treatments
**Acute phase** (< 4 weeks): maintain activity (rest > 48h is harmful), paracetamol + short-course NSAIDs (7 days max), local heat. **Subacute/chronic phase**: active physiotherapy (strengthening + stretching), progressive return to sport (swimming, walking, yoga), therapeutic education, cognitive therapy if psychological impact, injections as last resort. Surgery (< 2% of cases) reserved for compressive disc herniation. Rheumatologist consultation reimbursed 80% by CNOPS.
Prevention
Regular physical activity 150 min/week (WHO), ergonomic workstation (screen at eye level, straight back), healthy weight, firm mattress changed every 10 years, strength training (core, Pilates twice a week), proper lifting technique (bend the knees).
Frequently asked questions
When should I see emergency for back pain?+
Should I stay in bed with acute back pain?+
Is an MRI always needed?+
What sport can I do with chronic back pain?+
📖 Detailed article
To learn more about low back pain, read our cornerstone medically reviewed article.
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