Mild pain happens, particularly in people who are active. However, when the pain becomes more intense, doesn’t respond to at-home treatment, decreases mobility, or won’t go away, it may be time to seek the expert opinion of an orthopedic doctor. As they specialize in the musculoskeletal system, they are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of pain caused by injury or a wide range of diseases and conditions.

The musculoskeletal system is made up of the bones, muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments, with orthopedic doctors have received additional education and training following medical school, focused on this part of the body.

Lower back pain, also called lumbago, is not a disorder. It's a symptom of several different types of medical problems.

It usually results from a problem with one or more parts of the lower back, such as:

• Ligaments,
• Muscles,
• Nerves,
• The bony structures that make up the spine, called vertebral bodies or vertebrae.

It can also be due to a problem with nearby organs, such as the kidneys.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 75 to 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime. Of those, 50 percent will have more than one episode within a year.

In 90 percent of all cases, the pain gets better without surgery. Talk to your doctor if you're experiencing back pain.