Lumbar Pain Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Lumbar Pain Overview Lumbar pain is a discomfort or pain in the lower half of the back. It is caused by many conditions (like muscular spasms and ligament strain), spinal conditions (like compression and narrowing of the spinal canal), facet joint arthritis, instability, disc degeneration or infection, fracture of lumbar vertebrae, scoliosis, pain at the back of the abdomen, and tumour of lumbar spine. Symptoms PainStiffnessMuscle spasmDecreased mobilityRadiating pain to both lower limbs Diagnosis Palpation of lower back, assessment of movements, and neurological examination.X-rays to diagnose degenerative changes, fractures, or muscle spasm.Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to obtain details of soft tissue spinal cord and nerve roots and disc.Computed tomography CT to determine occult fractures.Nerve conduction studies for the assessment of nerve roots. Treatment Non-surgical treatmentPain medication RestIce pack applicationEpidural steroid injection, facet joint injection, or nerve root injectionSurgical treatmentDecompression through laminectomy and lumbar discectomy with or without spinal fusionFracture fixation Disclaimer: The information in this Health Library is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional with any questions about a medical condition or before starting any treatment. Use of this site and its content does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. In case of a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or visit the nearest emergency facility immediately.