Lumbago sounds like a medical diagnosis, and the term is sometimes used interchangeably with diagnoses such as spinal osteoarthritis or facet joint arthritis.
But what does lumbago really mean?
In this video, I'll clarify what you need to know about lumbago and how the term is used. The short answer is that lumbago generally refers to low back pain and usually chronic low back pain. Lumbago is an older term that describes the symptoms of chronic low back pain. In medical terms, this is called axial back pain. In other words, the pain stays in the low back and doesn't radiate down the legs.
The pain that goes down the legs is different. It's called radicular pain, which most people refer to as sciatica. The common type of lumbago is mechanical, and it is characterized as low back pain that gets worse with certain activities like running or jogging. Low back pain that gets worse in certain positions, such as sitting for prolonged periods of time, and low back pain that improves with rest.
This category of axial pain represents the most common type of low back pain, and it is usually nonspecific, meaning that the anatomical structure that's causing the pain doesn't need to be identified because symptoms usually get better with a simple home exercise program. Spinal arthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet inflammation, a herniated disc or a muscle strain may also cause axial low back pain.
The natural history of lumbago is that with time, the symptoms get better, and about 90% of patients with axial low back pain recover within six weeks.
If axial low back pain is recurring, is progressively worsening or lasts more than 5 or 6 weeks, it's best to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. If your symptoms become severe, consult a physician right away. I hope you now understand all about lumbago. As always, this video is for educational purposes only, and always consult your personal health care providers for recommendations. On Spine-health.com, there's a lot of medically accurate information to help you better understand your specific low back pain condition and treatment options so you can find pain relief.
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