Acute Lumbago or Lower Back Pain

What is acute lumbago - and what causes it?

Acute lumbago is painful but not a (medically!) serious condition. It's not entirely clear what causes it, and because it's not considered serious - and it goes away on its own - it's not usually investigated further. Pain in the lower back is a common occurrence: most people have experienced it at some point - or will experience it at some point in the future. This is because there are many different structures in the back that can signal pain, and which can also be overstretched or misloaded relatively easily.

In the case of a back injury, pain can originate from discs, facet joints, ligaments and tendons, as well as from the muscles along the vertebral column - or all of them together. The pain itself can cause more tissues to become involved and the problem to expand. The nearby muscles may lock up and spasm severely, definitely adding to the suffering and sometimes restricting movement. But this condition, however debilitating, is likely to subside within a week or two.

What can Back on Track offer for back pain?

The main goal of all our products is to facilitate movement, exercise and physical activity - even with back pain! Our back braces are designed to provide relief while our textile technology, Welltex®, works slowly, in depth, by reflecting the body's far infrared energy (FIR). The effect of FIR is well known to promote blood flow and circulation specifically in the area covered by our mineralised materials.

The presence of Welltex® means that minerals embedded in the fabric absorb and re-emit FIR, which penetrates the tissues and exerts a beneficial effect. The effect is often experienced as soothing and relieving tension in stiff joints and muscles.

Our advice: Move about as usual, but find moments of rest that occasionally relieve your back.

• Loading:
  Make the most of everyday exercise, work and continue to strain your body - but avoid heavy lifting and twisting. Take walks if possible. It is better to stand than to sit: forward bending positions should be avoided.
• Resting:
  Lie down with your legs on a chair, hips and knees bent at 90º and a pillow under your tailbone.

Our different back braces - for all people with back pain!

The Air Back Brace combines relieving support, the effect of Welltex® and high breathability.  Flexible boning make the belt sturdy and supportive. Heavy-duty, elastic mesh webbing makes it adjustable while allowing air to circulate.

This back belt is available in two versions with different back heights. The low version measure 16 cm at the centre back, making it flexible and allowing greater freedom of movement. The high version measure 24 cm at the centre back, providing more comprehensive support and a therapeutic effect over a larger area (product link).

The ‘Back Brace with Narrow Front’ has a long history of successful practical application. This classic has made life easier for people with back pain for more than 25 years - and is therefore labelled with our “Test of Time” seal. It is designed to fit comfortably and can be adjusted to a perfect, personalised fit and level of compression.

A built-in pocket in the back contains a cushion that can be removed when needed.

The ‘Back Belt with Support’ is broader and provides support to a larger area. Tighten it around the waist using the sturdy hook and loop strap. There is a thin, removable cushion in the lumbar region to provide extra support.

This back brace is suitable for any occation. Wear it while gardening, playing golf, practising tennis or working in front of the computer.

Read more about Ergonomics at work 

The Posture Vest with Welltex® is the result of a collaboration between Swedish Posture and Back on Track. It combines an immediate action (posture correction) with slow-acting beneficial effects (Welltex® stimulates blood flow to muscles and joints).

Together, these properties reinforce each other's benefits: the vertebrae is aligned correctly and the muscles can relax! 

Read more about the importance of good posture! 

Frequently asked questions and answers about acute lumbago

What is acute lumbago/lower back pain?

An acute lumbago is a painful condition afflicting the lower back. It occurs suddenly and does not always have a clearly identifiable cause. Back pain is not considered a serious condition and usually resolves on its own. The pain itself is not dangerous and you cannot rest it away: the advice for back pain is to keep moving as usual. This will make the back pain go away faster and speed up the healing process.

What does acute lumbago feel like?

Acute lumbago causes severe pain when you move. The back can also become stiff and crooked as the surrounding muscles around the vertebral column can lock into spasm.

Why do people get acute lumbago/lower back pain?

The cause of back pain is not fully understood. There are many parts of the back that can be misloaded and overworked: discs, vertebrae, ligaments and tendons. So there can be many reasons why an acute lumbago suddenly strikes. The back can be stressed by movement, strain, incorrect posture or non-ergonomic working conditions.

How long does acute lumbago last?

This type of back pain usually goes away in a few days, but sometimes it takes longer; up to two weeks.

What can be done about lower back pain?

Acute lumbago or lower back pain is likely to resolve more quickly if you move around as usual, work as usual (if your work doesn't involve heavy lifting) and maintain your daily regime. The most efficient treatment for back pain is movement, so the best course of action is to find a way to facilitate maintained physical activity. This may involve, for example, over-the-counter painkillers and a supportive back brace