Acute Lower Back Pain

Acute lower back pain, often commonly referred to as “lumbago” or a “strained back,” can have various causes.

Many cases of back pain and other types of surgical pain stem from musculoskeletal origins, including the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. However, in some instances, back pain can be a warning sign of a more serious condition. Therefore, sometime it can be risky to assume that simply relaxing the muscles will resolve the issue when experiencing back pain.

Acute lower back pain (commonly known as a strained back) is often caused by a sudden muscle tension (technically called a spasm) or symptoms like facet joint syndrome, which I discussed in Major Symptom Series 7.

However, there are cases where this back pain may be caused by referred pain from internal organs.

In my own experience, I have recommended hospital visits for patients when I suspected this possibility. Based on my chiropractic clinical experience, I always keep the potential for visceral referred pain in mind during my practice.

The reason I chose to focus on lower back pain for the first entry in this series is due to a memorable experience I had. I once had a patient with back pain whom I suspected might have pyelonephritis. I advised him to go to the hospital, and he later called to inform me that it was indeed a case of pyelonephritis. It stands out in my memory because, in my long experience as a chiropractic practitioner, this was a rare case.

“Dangerous Lower Back Pain Not Suitable for Chiropractic Treatment”

Orthopedic Conditions Causing Lower Back Pain:

  • Fractures (including those due to osteoporosis)
  • Suppurative spondylitis
  • Spinal tumors or osteosarcoma
  • Spinal tuberculosis…and more.

Lower Back Pain Caused by Referred Pain from Internal Organs:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • Infective endocarditis
  • Acute pancreatitis
  • Uterine fibroids or uterine cancer
  • Ureteral stones
  • Pyelonephritis…and others.

The symptoms listed above are just a few examples. Some people may feel worried when they read this, thinking that even common back pain could be serious. However, these conditions usually present with a variety of other symptoms in addition to back pain. Most people seek medical attention at a hospital and receive an early diagnosis before ever considering chiropractic care. Nonetheless, there are rare cases where severe back pain appears as the only symptom (at an early stage), and patients, like in my previous experience, might visit a chiropractic clinic right away. This is why I decided to write this blog post.

The purpose of sharing this information is to highlight that at my clinic, I take time during the initial consultation to assess whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate. If, during the consultation, it seems unlikely to be suitable for chiropractic care (bearing in mind that I do not conduct diagnostic testing), I may recommend that you visit a hospital instead.

My clinic does not focus on relaxation but rather addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal issues that impact daily life. I welcome you to visit Spine Chiropractic, located a 1-minute walk from Bashamichi Station, 8 minutes from Nihon-odori Station, 7 minutes from JR Kannai Station, and 12 minutes from JR Sakuragicho Station. I am committed to providing the best care possible.