If you or anyone you love is living with low back pain, appropriate treatment can help you live a productive life with little discomfort.
Highlights
- Low back pain (LBP) is the top cause of disability worldwide.
- Unlike high-income countries, low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) lack data about LBP.
- Low back pain affects about 25% of Nepalese adults.
- Women and older individuals are at a higher risk.
- Rehabilitation is typically the most effective treatment.
What is Low Back Pain?
Low back pain (LBP) affects the region between the lower edge of your ribs and buttocks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this condition affects over 600 million individuals globally. (1)
Low back pain can make it hard for you to move, which can affect your quality of life, mental health, and work performance. Likewise, long-term pain can severely impact the amount and quality of time you spend with your friends and family.
There’re several types of LBP, including:
- Acute (short-term)
- Chronic (long-term)
- Specific (the cause is either a medical condition or structural issues in your spine)
- Non-specific (the cause is unknown)
Non-specific LBP is more common, accounting for nearly 90% of all cases.
In women, low back pain may occur during a menstrual period or pregnancy. In most cases, back pain during a period doesn’t indicate a serious medical condition.
Back pain during pregnancy is common. Several factors cause pain, such as fluctuating hormones and changes in the center of gravity.
Though a woman may experience back pain at any point in pregnancy, most get pain during the second and third trimesters.
Low Back Pain is More Common in Nepal than You Think
Only a few studies have looked into how many Nepalese live with LBP. Yet, available data suggest the number is higher than previously thought.
For instance, a 2019 review reported that low back pain affects 50% to 90% of Nepalese. (2)
However, the researchers mentioned that they didn’t include data from non-commercial publishing, such as government and academic institutions. This could be one of the reasons for the high prevalence of back pain among Nepalese.
According to a 2025 study, low back pain affects nearly one-fourth of Nepalese adults. (3) Researchers used WHO data to estimate the prevalence in people between 15 and 59 years.
The notable findings of the study are as follows:
- Individuals between 55 and 69 years were over 4 times more likely to have low back pain than those between 1 and 24 years.
- Women had 1.74 times higher chances of low back pain than men.
What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain?
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment approach because of varying degrees of:
- Duration (short-term vs long-term)
- Pain intensity (mild vs moderate/severe)
- Severity
- Effect on the ability to perform daily activities
Nonetheless, a growing body of evidence suggests rehabilitation is likely the most effective treatment for non-specific and long-term pain.
Physical therapy (physiotherapy) and exercise can improve: (4)
- Pain
- Ability to perform daily activities
- Balance
Other forms of rehabilitation with promising results include:
Orthotics
- It includes braces (belts) to support your lower back. Some people may also benefit from shoe insoles and inserts.
Hot or cold therapy
Ice therapy can help reduce pain and swelling. Likewise, heat therapy can help relieve muscle spasms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a talk therapy (psychotherapy). It involves short-term, goal-oriented sessions. During the sessions, you learn how to replace negative emotions associated with pain with positive ones.
Patient education
The triad of patient education, reassurance, and self-care are essential for effective pain management.
Patient education can help you learn about:
- Type and cause of your pain
- Techniques to maintain activity levels as much as possible
- Ways to lift properly and adopt a good posture
- Exercises to strengthen your muscles
- Heat/ice therapy to relieve pain
- Pain medications and when to seek professional care
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is low back pain serious?
While typically self-limiting, low back pain may be serious if it lasts longer than a month or worsens with time.
- Does a low back pain belt work?
A belt can work by supporting your core and lower back, helping improve posture, and reducing force on the spine.
- Low back pain vs kidney pain: What’s the difference?
Low back pain may spread down your legs, while kidney pain usually affects the higher regions of your back.
References:
- World Health Organization: WHO and World Health Organization: WHO. Low Back Pain. 19 June 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain.
- Sharma, Saurab et al. “State of clinical pain research in Nepal: a systematic scoping review.” Pain reports vol. 4,6 e788. 6 Dec. 2019, doi:10.1097/PR9.0000000000000788
- Sharma, Sweekriti, et al. “Prevalence of Low Back Pain in Nepal: Results From a Nationally Representative WHO NCD STEPS Survey.” Journal of Pain, Feb. 2025, p. 105352, doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105352.
- Pergolizzi, Joseph V Jr, and Jo Ann LeQuang. “Rehabilitation for Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review for Managing Pain and Improving Function in Acute and Chronic Conditions.” Pain and therapy vol. 9,1 (2020): 83-96. doi:10.1007/s40122-020-00149-5
