Consult by instant messaging with a Lumbago

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Consult a doctor online to treat your lumbago

Sometimes called a "thrown-out back", the sudden back pain felt with a lumbago has a muscular origin. It can also be called low back pain since the area affected is that of the lumbar vertebrae, the vertebrae located in the lower back. Low back pain can be acute or only temporary. Lumbago refers only to the temporary form of low back pain. Usually mild, lumbago nevertheless calls for an online consultation. <

What are the symptoms of lumbago?

Acute low back pain, or lumbago, is easy to identify and recognise. Its sudden pain is always located in the lower back. Back pain most often appears following a sudden movement, an awkward gesture, or an incorrect movement. Lumbago is in fact the stiffening of the muscles reacting to the overly sudden movement. While lumbago can be extremely painful, the intensity of this pain says nothing about the potential severity of the injury. At the moment the injury occurs, lumbago often causes a cracking sensation in the back. Back pain is the main symptom of lumbago. It may also be accompanied by muscle spasms that cause the back to lock up, which explains why the person may feel the need to lie down or adopt a certain position to limit the spread of the pain. Other symptoms can occur in someone suffering from lumbago: a feeling of a locked lower back, pain between the ribs and in the buttock area, pain when sneezing or coughing, possible pain in the thighs or groin, pain that is often very intense when standing, making the position almost impossible to hold. While not serious, lumbago is often disabling and prompts people to seek care. <

What should you do if you have lumbago?

To get the back back into shape, lying down is not necessarily the best position to adopt; gently resuming activities often helps the back restore its muscular function. Rest is often advised, more so than staying in bed, which leads to muscle wasting — precisely what we want to avoid in this case. Moving can do the sore back muscles good. As soon as the pain has eased slightly and standing is more bearable, walking is strongly recommended, as it contributes to a faster recovery. Applying heat to the affected area can soothe sharp pain, and gentle stretching is also advised. Indeed, it is possible to apply a hot water bottle to the sore part of the body; a heated cushion can also relieve acute low back pain. Relaxation and meditation can be helpful allies — the exercises are often quite gentle and allow the body to learn to let go while still working. Consulting a doctor to receive suitable advice is a good solution. The consultation can take place as an online remote consultation. The general practitioner may ask questions to make the right diagnosis and understand the origin of the pain: they will ask about the patient's level of discomfort, the path and intensity of the pain, muscle contraction, and how much the back pain affects the person's daily life and work. Diagnosing lumbago is fairly straightforward; it is often not necessary to carry out clinical tests or X-rays. The doctor suggests movements to perform and may prescribe painkillers or anti-inflammatories. The doctor may invite the patient to see a physiotherapist, who offers back rehabilitation sessions to help maintain better posture and avoid repeating the same mistakes with poor movements. A consultation with an osteopath can also be beneficial. <

What causes low back pain?

Low back pain occurs in the lumbar region, that is, in the lower part of the back. Many causes can also lie behind back pain. It is important to identify the underlying cause in order to put in place appropriate treatment. Among the common causes of low back pain, we can mention:
 • A muscle or ligament injury: sprain, tear, tension, etc.;
 • A herniated disc, which can cause sciatic pain;
 • Poor back support or poor posture;
 • Arthritis;
 • The repetition of intense physical tasks, such as carrying heavy loads;
 • Occupational risk factors;
 • Stress and anxiety;
 • Lifestyle habits: lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, lack of sleep, etc.
 • Or even an underlying condition: kidney infection, endometriosis, scoliosis, tumours, etc.
The diagnosis of back pain therefore often relies on medical imaging tests, which may include an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), X-rays or other tests. Treatment for low back pain, depending on the underlying cause, may include taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain. But other physical and psychological approaches can also be effective, such as physiotherapy, physical rehabilitation (physiotherapy, osteopathy, etc.), chiropractic care or even meditation. Surgery is only considered as a last resort, for the most severe cases.

How can you relieve lumbago?

Lumbago, or a thrown-out back, is characterised by its sudden and intense onset in the lower part of the back (lumbar region). This back pain is often caused by poor posture or excessive muscle tension. To quickly relieve the pain, it is advisable to:
 • Stop the current activity and rest. Sudden movements or exercises that worsen the pain should be avoided as much as possible;
 • Apply heat or cold. During the first 48 hours, it is generally advisable to apply ice (in a towel or bag) to help reduce inflammation. Afterwards, heat can be applied, for example with a hot water bottle, to help relax the muscles;
 • Using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, can help reduce inflammation and pain. Medical advice is needed and your pharmacist's instructions should be followed beforehand, particularly to avoid contraindications;
 • With a doctor's help, perform muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises;
 • Other possible treatments: physiotherapy, massage, physiotherapy sessions, osteopathy, chiropractic care or even acupuncture for some people.
Lastly, it is advisable to consult a doctor without an appointment as soon as the low back pain persists, worsens or becomes chronic.

How long does lumbago last?

The duration of lumbago varies a great deal, from a few days to a few weeks. Indeed, a number of factors can explain this variability, such as the severity of the symptoms, the underlying cause and the treatment put in place. In addition, the pain sometimes becomes persistent and recurrent (chronic) in some people. But generally speaking, when lumbago presents as acute, intense but short-lived pain, symptoms usually improve within a few days to a few weeks, with appropriate care. Among the important steps for a good recovery and to promote healing, several measures are worth noting:
 • Rest;
 • Apply ice and heat;
 • Take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID);
 • Maintain good posture;
 • Perform muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises with a healthcare professional.
Finally, low back pain is sometimes caused by more serious problems and can extend over several weeks, or even several months. These causes can, for example, include a disc problem, joint problems, muscle tension, etc. A more specific treatment can therefore be put in place when the pain persists, such as physiotherapy sessions, osteopathy, or other medical approaches. For more medical advice, visit Feeli for a 24/7 teleconsultation with a doctor or specialist.