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Article by Francis Galineri

Lumbago

Updated on 15 March 2025.

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LumbagoLumbago or lumbago, as the name suggests, is a disorder of the lower back. These same lumbar vertebrae are located at the bottom of the spine. Lumbago is very common, affecting 60-70% of people at least once in their lives. It is also a major source of work stoppage and occupational illness.

Understanding lumbago, knowing what to do about it and how to avoid it is a necessity.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know to better understand this back pain, which is similar to joint sprain.

Causes of lumbago

Lumbago, also known as “back strain”, is caused by a sudden movement of the lower spine. It can occur, for example, when lifting too heavy a load, or when your posture isn’t right. Or when you play sport without warming up first.

In fact, it’s simply a muscle contracture, like the famous torticollis, which reduces your mobility. In short, lumbago can happen to you in many different ways, which is all the more reason to study this injury carefully.

Lumbago symptoms

Lumbago can be recognized by a sharp, sudden pain that feels like a crack in the lower back. Lumbago reduces our mobility and forces us to remain in a supine position to limit the pain. This is a major reason why lumbago is the number 1 occupational disease.

Lumbago is characterized by the stooped position it forces us to adopt. On the other hand, the simple act of coughing, having a bowel movement or moving around increases the pain. If you feel stiffness in your lower back after exertion, it’s most likely a lumbago.

Your doctor is likely to recognize your problem quite quickly, given the stooped posture characteristic of lumbago. A simple palpation of your lower back by the doctor will tell you how serious the injury is.

Preventing lumbago

Although lumbago is a fairly common injury in the general population, there are a few things you can do to try and avoid it as much as possible.

As we’ve seen, lumbago often occurs after lifting a load. Adapting a good posture is therefore essential. You need to bend your legs, not arch your back.

Another cause of lumbago is repetitive movements. If these can’t be avoided throughout the day, try to take breaks to stretch and walk around a bit. This break will be beneficial for your muscles, allowing them to relax.

A word of advice for people who spend a lot of time sitting during the day: if possible, try to get up and walk around a bit to reduce the compression of the spinal column caused by sitting.

Beware of getting out of bed too suddenly! The back, and therefore the muscles that emerge from sleep, are quite stiff and more prone to muscle contraction. So don’t wake up with a bang, get on your side, fold your legs towards your trunk and stand up, pushing on your arms. You’re sitting up and ready to start the day.

One last tip to prevent lumbago: try to do some sport, as people in poor physical condition who don’t do any sport are much more likely to suffer from back pain.

Lumbago treatment

The treatment for lumbago is quite simple: rest for a short time. As soon as the pain seems to disappear, gradually resume your daily life. Long periods of rest are rarely advisable for back pain.

As for treatment, your doctor will normally prescribe painkillers such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, etc.

Natural treatment for lumbago

There are a few tricks you can use to relieve your pain, especially if your backache seems minor.

  • The capsaicin contained in chilli peppers has a pain-relieving effect that reduces joint pain. For example, apply a little oil with a generous spoonful of cayenne pepper to your lumbago. A perfect natural anti-inflammatory!

 

  • Essential oils have an interesting pain-relieving effect. Apply a little oil of wintergreen, eucalyptus, rosemary or arnica to the area of pain. Massage lightly to ease the pain

 

  • The lumbar belt, available in pharmacies, is best reserved for people who suffer from lumbago on a regular basis. It will relieve your pain and can also be used as a preventive measure during efforts that target the lower back.

Lumbago and sciatica?

Most of the time, your back pain will disappear after a few days or even weeks of rest. But if the pain persists, and especially if you feel it spreading to your leg, for example, then your pain has turned into sciatica. We strongly advise you to see your doctor!


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