Sharp Lower Back Pain: What's Causing It and How to Get Relief
By By Lisa Rapaport. Medically Reviewed by Scott Haak, PT, DPT, MTC, CSCS,
1 days ago
Experiencing sharp lower back pain can be worrying, but it's usually not a sign of something serious. Adobe Stock
Sharp lower back pain is so common that if you haven't experienced it yourself, you probably know someone who has. After all, most people deal with lower back pain at some point in their lives.
You can experience lower back pain even if you don't have any obvious risk factors like smoking, carrying too much extra weight, or getting too little or too much physical activity, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The good news is that it often isn't serious, and it can sometimes go away on its own.
But the bad news is that it can sometimes strike out of the blue - and this is what you might think of as "sharp" lower back pain, says Christine Goertz, DC, PhD , a professor of musculoskeletal research at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
"Intense low back pain that comes on suddenly, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere, is often described as ‘sharp,'" Dr. Goertz says. "Sharp low back pain can profoundly impact the quality of life because such intense pain is frightening and limits one's ability to engage in the things that matter most."
What Causes Sharp Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain can happen to anybody. In fact, an estimated 75 percent to 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Most episodes of back pain resolve within a few days or a few weeks - and this is considered acute lower back pain, according to Stanford Medicine. Lower back pain is considered chronic when it lasts more than three months.
"Sharp lower back pain can be acute, like from a muscle strain, or chronic, related to degenerative conditions, depending on the underlying cause," says Ariella Freid, DPT , a physical therapist at Bespoke Physical Therapy in New York City.
Many common causes of acute and chronic lower back pain can trigger sharp lower back pain, says Freid. Some of these common causes, according to Freid, can include:
Muscle strain When the demands of the activity exceed the capacity of the muscle, acute injury or sharp pain can occur.
Herniated disc When a disc bulges or ruptures, it can compress nearby nerves, resulting in sharp, usually radiating pain.
Kidney stones Pain from kidney stones can be referred to the lower back.
Spinal fracture Trauma, repetitive movements or osteoporosis can cause fractures that can result in pain.
Degenerative damage Conditions like arthritis or stenosis, which are normal signs of aging, can result in nerve compression or inflammation, causing discomfort or pain.
Endometriosis Endometrial tissue growth outside the uterus can cause back pain due to systemic inflammation. Back pain related to endometriosis will often have a cyclical pattern.
Pelvic floor or hip dysfunction Many muscles of the pelvic floor and hips attach directly onto the spine, so if they are dysfunctional, they can cause back pain.
If you experience sharp lower back pain and none of these common causes are a problem for you, there are some other culprits you may want to consider, Freid says. These, according to Freid, include:
Tumors Abnormal growths in or near the spine can press on nerves or other structures, causing pain.
Infections Infections in the spine or surrounding tissues can cause inflammation and pain, which would usually present with other clinical signs like fever, malaise, etc.
When to See a Doctor About Back Pain
While most back pain improves without treatment from a doctor, there are some symptoms that you need to get checked out, according to the Mayo Clinic. Per the Mayo Clinic, it's a good idea to contact your healthcare provider when you have back pain that:
Lasts longer than a few weeks
Is severe and doesn't improve with rest
Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain goes below the knee
Causes weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs
Is paired with unexplained weakness
Serious medical problems are rare, but the Mayo Clinic does recommend seeking immediate medical attention for back pain that:
Causes new bowel or bladder problems
Is accompanied by a fever
Follows a fall, blow to the back, or other injury
A wide variety of medical professionals may treat sharp lower back pain, and if you're not sure where to go for help, your primary care provider is often a great place to start, according to UCLA Health. As long as you're not having symptoms that warrant immediate care, you might schedule an appointment with a primary care physician, family practice doctor, chiropractor, or doctor of osteopathy.
If you need more help or can't immediately determine the underlying cause of your sharp lower back pain, you might see other specialists such as a physiatrist, neurologist, anesthesiologist, or rheumatologist, per UCLA Health. When you have chronic pain, you might also consider a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or a psychologist.
Treatment Options for Back Pain
While there's no one-size-fits-all remedy for sharp lower back pain, there are some common approaches you can try that may help. That's why your best bet when sharp lower back pain persists is to seek medical attention, says Freid.
"I highly recommend seeing a doctor of physical therapy for a full assessment of your back pain," Freid says. "They will be able to help you narrow down the root cause of your pain and use interventions like pain management techniques and exercise to help improve your quality of life. They can also help recommend the appropriate medical doctor if they feel like an MRI or X-ray is appropriate, or if you need to see a specialist for a systemic issue."
Medications for Back Pain
Several types of over-the-counter and prescription medicines may help relieve lower back pain, according to Harvard Health. These include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs are available over the counter at lower doses and by prescription at higher doses. They include drugs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
Muscle relaxants
Muscle relaxants act on the central nervous system to reduce acute pain for the short term and are often recommended when muscle spasms are present. They include drugs like baclofen (Lioresal), dantrolene (Dantrium), carisoprodol (Soma), chlorzoxazone (Lorzon), and methocarbamol (Robaxin).
Antidepressants
Even though these drugs aren't approved to treat back pain, doctors sometimes prescribe them for chronic lower back pain. Some studies have found duloxetine (Cymbalta) effective for relieving lower back pain.
Opioids
Opioids can be addictive and are generally used after other options fail to adequately manage back pain - and doctors try to prescribe them only for short-term use. They include oxycodone (OxyContin) and an acetaminophen/hydrocodone combination (Vicodin).
Physical Therapy for Back Pain
Most medications aren't that helpful for sharp lower back pain, which is one reason why you may want to first consider options such as spinal manipulation, massage, acupuncture, yoga , or tai chi, says Goertz. "These strategies have similar outcomes, so patients can choose what they think would work best," she says.
Out of all of these options, physical therapy can be a smart place to start, says Deirdre Rodericks, MD , a sports medicine specialist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School.
"Physical therapy is a great first step to treating musculoskeletal back pain and developing an exercise program to help prevent flares of back pain ," Dr. Rodericks says. "Generally, I recommend a core strengthening program."
Depending on the root cause of your sharp lower back pain, treatment may include physical therapy that focuses on exercises to improve strength, mobility, and posture, Freid says. This might be paired with options like electronic stimulation (e-stim) therapy that uses a mild electric current to reduce muscle pain or infrared light therapy to reduce muscle inflammation, Freid adds.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments for Back Pain
There are a wide variety of things you can try at home to relieve sharp lower back pain, Goertz says. These can include ice (especially when the pain first begins); heat packs or a hot bath or shower; gentle movements like walking, tai chi, or stretching exercises; and mindfulness meditation to reduce stress. It might sound counterintuitive, but another thing you can do at home is limit bed rest, according to Harvard Health . That's because physical activity is actually good for you, and your muscles can become stiffer when you spend too much time in bed.
"Generally, gentle movement is better for back pain as opposed to bed rest, which was commonly recommended in the past," Rodericks says. Gentle stretches, yoga, and Pilates can all help.
If your pain persists, other treatment options can include spinal injections and nerve blocks or, in severe cases, surgery, according to NYU Langone Health.
The Takeaway
As miserable as sharp lower back pain can be, keep in mind that symptoms usually resolve within a few weeks with little, if any, treatment. When it lasts longer than that or is so severe that it's interfering with your ability to get through daily life, you should seek medical help. And don't be put off by a doctor who prescribes yoga, ice packs, or hot baths, because these relatively simple and inexpensive fixes can often go a long way toward easing your pain.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
What is the most likely cause of my back pain?
Do I need tests to determine the cause of my back pain?
What can I do at home to help treat my pain?
How can I prevent my back pain from coming back or getting worse?
What are the risks associated with treatment?
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Hirase T et al. Duloxetine for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials. Cureus . May 22, 2022.
Gudin J et al. Are Opioids Needed to Treat Chronic Low Back Pain? A Review of Treatment Options and Analgesics in Development. Journal of Pain Research . 2020.
Dehghan M et al. The Efficacy of Thermotherapy and Cryotherapy on Pain Relief in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain, A Clinical Trial Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research . September 20, 2014.
Vanti C et al. The effectiveness of walking versus exercise on pain and function in chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Disability and Rehabilitation . December 5, 2017.
Th L et al. Meditation-Based Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pain Medicine . September 30, 2022.
Scott Haak, PT, DPT, has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 2000. Dr. Haak serves as faculty for the Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic Florida. He is certified by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) as a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), is a Certified USA Weightlifting Coach and Certified USA Football Coach, and possesses a MTC (Manual Therapy Certification) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Haak is an exercise enthusiast and enjoys running, weightlifting, and sports performance training. He is the president and director of coaching of a youth tackle football organization, JDL Providence Football, and currently coaches high school football and weight lifting.
Lisa Rapaport is a journalist with more than 20 years of experience on the health beat as a writer and editor. She holds a master's degree from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and spent a year as a Knight-Wallace journalism fellow at the University of Michigan. Her work has appeared in dozens of local and national media outlets, including Reuters, Bloomberg, WNYC, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times , Scientific American , San Jose Mercury News , Oakland Tribune , Huffington Post, Yahoo! News, The Sacramento Bee , and The Buffalo News . See full bio See Our Editorial Policy Meet Our Health Expert Network
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