What is the medical term for lower back pain due to muscle skeletal strain?

Medical Terminology for Musculoskeletal Lower Back Pain

The medical term for lower back pain due to musculoskeletal strain is "nonspecific low back pain." 1

Definition and Clinical Context

Nonspecific low back pain is the formal medical terminology used to describe pain occurring primarily in the back with no signs of serious underlying conditions (such as cancer, infection, or cauda equina syndrome), spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, or other specific spinal causes (such as vertebral compression fracture or ankylosing spondylitis). 1

Key Characteristics

• Prevalence: This represents more than 85% of all low back pain cases presenting to primary care, making it the most common category of back pain. 1

• Anatomical ambiguity: Attempts to identify specific anatomical sources (such as particular muscles, ligaments, or discs) in these patients have not been validated in rigorous studies, and classification schemes frequently conflict with one another. 1

• Clinical significance: No evidence suggests that labeling most patients with low back pain using specific anatomical diagnoses (like "lumbar strain" or "paraspinal muscle spasm") improves outcomes compared to the broader term "nonspecific low back pain." 1

Alternative Terminology

While "nonspecific low back pain" is the guideline-recommended term, you may also encounter:

• Mechanical low back pain: Used to describe pain arising intrinsically from the spine, intervertebral disks, or surrounding soft tissues without specific pathology. 2

• Musculoskeletal low back pain: A broader descriptor indicating the pain originates from musculoskeletal structures, with 90% of patients having a musculoskeletal cause. 3

Clinical Classification Framework

The American College of Physicians and American Pain Society recommend classifying all low back pain patients into one of three broad categories rather than attempting specific anatomical diagnoses: 1

1. Nonspecific low back pain (the vast majority)
2. Back pain potentially associated with radiculopathy or spinal stenosis
3. Back pain potentially associated with another specific spinal cause

This classification approach facilitates appropriate management decisions without requiring precise anatomical localization of the pain source. 1