The term Low Back Pain (LBP) or lumbar pain refers to a painful condition localised in
the posterior region of the trunk, between the lower margin of the twelfth rib and the gluteal fold.
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide: it is estimated that around 600 million people suffer from it. It affects both sexes and can occur at any age, although it is more prevalent during the working years.
Low back pain is defined as specific when the cause of pain can be attributed to a clearly identifiable pathology, a structural disorder of the spine (such as a fracture), when it originates from other organs (for example, the kidney), or when the pain is referred from another part of the body.
It is defined as non-specific when no identifiable structural cause can explain the pain; this accounts for approximately 90% of cases.
Risk factors for non-specific low back pain include low levels of physical activity, smoking, overweight or obesity, and high levels of physical stress.
In both types of low back pain, and at all stages of the condition, functional recovery is essential in order to perform daily activities, restore quality of life, and support mental well-being.
Based on duration, low back pain may be classified as:
• acute (lasting less than 6 weeks)
• subacute (lasting 6–12 weeks)
• chronic (lasting longer than 12 weeks)
In some cases, low back pain is associated with leg pain described as an electric-shock sensation, related to compression of a spinal nerve root—sciatica or radicular pain—and accompanied by numbness, tingling, and weakness in specific muscle groups.
The treatment of low back pain depends on its nature, whether specific or non-specific, and must be preceded by a thorough clinical assessment.
In cases of specific low back pain, treatment focuses on managing the underlying condition responsible for the pain.
For non-specific low back pain, the ideal approach is multidisciplinary, and includes:
• therapeutic exercise and physical therapies to improve muscle strength and mobility;
• pharmacological treatment to reduce symptoms;
• psychological and social support for pain management;
• reduction of physical strain in daily and occupational activities;
• lifestyle modifications, including increased and improved physical activity, a healthy diet, and good sleep hygiene.
In cases of low back pain, early diagnosis plays a crucial role in promoting rapid functional recovery: the longer pain persists, the greater the likelihood of developing functional limitations that negatively affect quality of life.