Back pain is a pain that originated from anywhere along the spinal column. Any tension or discomfort along the spine is referred to as back pain or Dorsalgia in medical term. Lower back is the ache that occurs along the lower part of the back and should not be confused with the pains in legs. Low back pain is a very common problem since most people suffer from it. Though it is not a particular disease but is combination of a number of underlying conditions. However the most common site for back pain is in the lumber region, which is the lower back region. Pain is common in this area because this is the area that carries majority of the weight of the body and undergoes maximum movement.

The type of pain depends upon the state of the patient. Severity of the pain also depends upon the same. Whatever may be the cause for the pain, the symptoms are more or less similar. Pain can erupt suddenly or can happen gradually. The symptoms for back pain are that the pain may move down the front, back or side of the legs but mostly confined within the pelvis area or the lumbosacral region. The pain may or may not spread along the legs. The pain may increase to a great extent if sat upright for long hours like in trips or it may get worse during the night. Pain may get elevated during activities and movements. Feeling of numbness and weakness in parts of the limbs is another sign. This is because that part of the nerve in the leg receives its supply of blood from a compressed nerve. This can lead to inability to flex the foot or even stand on the toes.

When the pain gets to an intense level it only last for concise period of time like hardly some days or weeks. Lower back pain which continues over a long period of time like over three months is termed chronic by doctors. If the source of the pain be some damage or injury then it usually stays limited to the back and might get worsened while bowing forward, backward or laterally. Pain due to compressed nerve caused by herniated disc can be felt only on the hips causing some tingling sensation in those regions. Pain gets aggravated while coughing or sneezing. Simply standing for long hours may also elevate the pain.