Hey everyone! Before we get into acute low back pain (LBP), there's something that needs to be mentioned first...acute low back pain is not a diagnosis, it's a symptom. This might seem simple, but if you only treat the pain, you might feel some relief for a while, but the real problem won’t be fixed. That could mean the pain comes back, possibly even worse than before.
At On Point, relieving low back pain is just one part of what we do. Our goal is to find and treat the root cause of your pain, so you can live your life without fear of it returning. Now, let’s dive in!
What is Acute Low Back Pain?
Low back pain is a common issue that affects millions of people every day. According to the European Guidelines for the prevention of LBP, it is defined as pain and discomfort, localised below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds with or without leg pain (1).
When back pain is called “acute,” it means it started recently—within the last few days or up to six weeks. This type of pain can be intense and is often linked to muscle spasms. In some cases, these spasms can cause the body to bend in certain ways, leading to an "antalgic" posture—your body’s way of protecting itself from pain. Even though acute low back pain can be frustrating, early treatment can help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery.
Causes of Acute Low Back Pain
As mentioned earlier, acute low back pain is not a diagnosis but a symptom of an underlying condition. Some common causes include:
- Lumbar Facet Syndrome – Pain from the small joints in the spine, often triggered by movement or prolonged sitting.
- Lumbar Sprain/Strain – Injury to the muscles or ligaments in the lower back, usually from sudden movement, improper lifting, or overuse.
- Lumbar Disc Lesion – A condition where the discs between the vertebrae are affected, such as a bulging or herniated disc, which can irritate or compress nearby nerves.
To fully understand what’s causing your pain, a movement assessment is crucial.
At On Point, we take every patient through a detailed assessment to pinpoint any dysfunctions contributing to their pain and ensure our treatment plan is tailored specifically to them.
How to Manage Acute Low Back Pain
There are two main ways to manage low back pain: conservative (non-invasive) and invasive treatments. Most treatments begin with the least invasive options. Research continues to show that exercise and manual therapy are among the most effective ways to treat low back pain.
- Exercise Therapy – Strengthening, stretching, and aerobic exercises have been proven to reduce pain and improve function. Personalized exercise plans focus on core stability, flexibility, mobility, and strength to address each patient’s specific needs.
- Manual Therapy – Techniques like spinal manipulation and mobilization have been shown to relieve pain and improve movement. When combined with exercise, these methods can lead to even better results.
- Diaphragm Training – A clinical study by Finta et al. found that training the diaphragm can activate key stabilizing muscles like the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, offering a new way to improve spinal stability.
Conclusion
Acute low back pain can be tough to deal with, but understanding it and using the right strategies can make a big difference. Since it’s a symptom and not a diagnosis, treating the root cause is the key to long-term relief.
At On Point, we take patient care seriously. We don’t just give out generic exercise lists—we provide personalized, challenging programs tailored to each individual. Our goal is to not only get you pain-free but to make you stronger than before, so you can move with confidence and reach your full potential.
[1] Burton AK. European guidelines for prevention in low back pain. COST B13 Working Group. 2004: 1-53.
[2] Finta R, Nagy E, Bender T. The effect of diaphragm training on lumbar stabilizer muscles: a new concept for improving segmental stability in the case of low back pain. Journal of pain research. 2018 Nov 28:3031-45.
Ryan A. DiPrimo
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