Lower back pain (lumbalgia) is characterized by pain, stiffness, tightness or soreness.
Lower back pain is commonly caused by inflammation of the facet joints or the vertebral disc. Most acute cases of back pain are an exacerbation of a chronic condition; however, sudden onset of back pain without a history of trauma can also occur. Lumbalgia may be associated with poor posture, trauma, joint misalignment, or weakness of the lumbar stabilizing musculature.