The lower back is the lower lumbar region of the back. It starts at the end of the middle back and continues to the end of the spinal column. The lower back tends to develop painful conditions for a number of reasons. Due to sedentary lifestyles of the modern age, the back tends to be a weak area for people who do not exercise regularly. As result they tend to experience aches and pains in the back. In order to ensure a strong back, it is necessary to have a work out routine that includes back stretches and back strengthening exercises. Back exercises maintain a healthy back that is flexible strong and capable of holding the spine in proper alignment.

Weak backs are not the only cause of back pain lower or pain in the lower back. Back pain can also develop from a number of other conditions. These conditions range from the simple overexertion and tiredness to the complex ones like spinal disc ailments that may make it necessary to for the patient to undergo surgery.

The back bone or spine is made up of smaller bones joined together called the vertebrae. Between the joints of the vertebrae are small structures called discs. These discs contain a jelly like substance that cushion the vertebrae from rubbing against each other and causing friction. In addition, the discs act as shock absorbers in jolts like accidents and injuries, thus preventing damage to the vertebrae and ensuring that these joints remain correctly aligned and in place. However, the discs are not immune and become injured or develop ailments. Back pain that results from disc ailments and injury is extremely painful and uncomfortable to bear.

One kind of disc ailment occurs due to herniation of one or more discs. Normal wear and tear, strenuous activity, undetected back injuries resulting from sports or accidents, may cause the walls of the disc to weaken. The weakening of the disc wall will result in it becoming misshapen by bulging. The bulging may press on a nearby nerve, thus causing excruciating pain. This is back pain due to a herniated disc.

The herniated disc may also begin to leak and the fluid loss in the disc will result in the lessening of the gap between two vertebrae. In such cases too, the sufferer will experience severe pain of the kind called back pain lower.

Herniated discs that have lost the jelly cannot hold the vertebrae in place. As a result, the disc and a vertebra may both become misaligned. This condition is known as slipped disc. Slipped disc will often result in a nerve getting pinched between the misalignment and cause sciatic pain.

Lower back pain resulting from sciatica starts in the lower lumbar region and radiates through the buttock down the front, back or side of the thigh. It may continue behind the knee all the way down into the foot making it difficult for the patient to stand and walk. Sciatic pain will generally be accompanied by tingling, numbness and weakness. If the condition does not improve, doctors recommend surgery to get the pressure off the nerve. In case the pressure on the nerve continues, it could lead to permanent impairment and immobility.