Lower back pain is one of the most common source of pain and disability in our society. Over 80% population will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives. The commonest reason for low back pain is pulled back muscle or ligament strain, which usually subsides after anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxants and some of the physiotherapy maneuvers. Back muscle strains usually heals with time, most healing within a few days and almost all resolving within 3 to 4 weeks. Prolonged bed rest more than one or two days should be avoided as that can cause muscle wasting and weakening, thereby giving rise to prolonged low back pain.

Causes of lower back pain related to spine include:

• Lumbar Facet syndrome
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoporotic compression fractures
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Sacroiliac dysfunction

Apart from this other non-mechanical causes such as neoplastic condition, infection and visceral pains from abdominal and pelvic organs should be ruled out.