Mid and Lower Back Pain

Mid and Lower Back Pain

What Is Mid and Lower Back Pain?

Mid and lower back pain refers to discomfort involving the thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. These areas play a major role in posture, movement, lifting, and weight distribution, making them especially vulnerable to strain, degenerative changes, and nerve irritation.

Pain may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually due to repetitive stress, poor posture, spinal degeneration, or underlying structural conditions.

Mid and lower back pain can range from mild stiffness to persistent pain that interferes with sleep, mobility, and daily activities.

Common Causes

Pain in the mid and lower back can arise from muscles, joints, discs, nerves, or surrounding soft tissues. Frequent contributors include:

• Muscle or ligament strain

• Degenerative disc disease

• Facet joint arthritis

• Herniated or bulging discs

• Spinal stenosis

• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

• Osteoporosis and compression fractures

• Poor posture and prolonged sitting

• Repetitive lifting or physical stress

Often, more than one factor contributes to symptoms.

Symptoms Patients May Experience

Symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause but commonly include:

• Aching, tightness, or sharp back pain

• Muscle stiffness and limited mobility

• Pain that worsens with standing, walking, bending, or lifting

• Radiating pain into the buttocks or legs

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness when nerves are involved

• Postural changes or difficulty standing upright

Pain may be constant or episodic and can fluctuate with activity levels.

When Back Pain Should Be Evaluated

While many episodes improve with conservative care, evaluation is recommended when pain persists, worsens, or affects function. Sudden severe pain, neurologic symptoms, pain following trauma, or bowel and bladder changes require prompt medical attention.

Persistent pain often indicates inflammation, joint dysfunction, or nerve involvement that benefits from targeted treatment.

Diagnosis

Evaluation typically begins with a detailed history and physical examination to identify potential pain generators. Imaging such as X-ray, MRI, or CT may be used when structural abnormalities, fractures, or nerve compression are suspected.

Diagnostic injections may help determine whether pain originates from facet joints, nerves, discs, or sacroiliac structures.

Treatment Options

Treatment is individualized and focused on restoring function while reducing inflammation and pain. Options may include:

• Activity modification and ergonomic correction

• Physical therapy and strengthening programs

• Anti-inflammatory or nerve-targeted medications

• Trigger point or muscle-based treatments

• Image-guided spinal injections

• Medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation for facet pain

• Epidural steroid injections for nerve irritation

• Vertebral augmentation for painful compression fractures

Most patients improve with a multimodal, non-surgical approach.

Prevention and Self-Care

Preventive strategies can reduce recurrence and improve spinal health:

• Maintaining proper posture and core strength

• Using correct lifting mechanics

• Avoiding prolonged sitting without movement breaks

• Staying physically active with low-impact exercise

• Optimizing sleep positioning and mattress support

Small daily adjustments often lead to meaningful long-term improvement.

How Resolution Spine & Joint Can Help

At Resolution Spine & Joint, we take a comprehensive approach to identifying the source of mid and lower back pain. Our goal is to provide precise diagnosis and targeted treatment that reduces discomfort, improves mobility, and helps patients return to normal activities.

Through advanced imaging review, diagnostic procedures, and minimally invasive therapies, we focus on treating the underlying cause rather than masking symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mid or lower back pain usually serious?
Most cases are not dangerous, but persistent pain or neurologic symptoms should be evaluated.

Can back pain come from multiple causes at once?
Yes. Many patients experience a combination of muscle strain, joint irritation, and disc degeneration.

When are injections recommended?
Injections may be helpful when conservative care does not provide sufficient relief or when diagnostic clarification is needed.

Does posture really affect back pain?
Yes. Prolonged sitting and poor spinal alignment are major contributors to modern back pain.

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
North American Spine Society