Lower back pain is a real and common challenge for people living with MS, including those with secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Around 20% of people with MS experience back pain, and it can show up in many different ways — from dull, achy muscles to sharp, electric-type nerve pain.
Here are some of the main reasons lower Show Full Answer
Lower back pain is a real and common challenge for people living with MS, including those with secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Around 20% of people with MS experience back pain, and it can show up in many different ways — from dull, achy muscles to sharp, electric-type nerve pain.
Here are some of the main reasons lower back pain can occur with MS:
- Muscle spasticity — Tightness and spasms in the muscles around the lower back are very common in MS
- Poor posture — MS can affect balance and coordination, leading to posture changes that strain the lower back
- Altered gait — Changes in how you walk can put extra stress on the lower spine
- Lhermitte's sign — An electric shock-like sensation that can travel down the spine, sometimes triggered by bending the neck forward
- Tailbone pain — Some MyMSTeam members report significant tailbone and lower back pain that makes sitting very difficult In SPMS specifically, nerve damage tends to be more persistent, which can make pain harder to manage over time. That said, there are several treatment options worth discussing with a neurologist or physical therapist:
- Physical or occupational therapy to improve posture, strength, and movement
- Muscle relaxants (oral or injectable) to reduce spasms
- Botox injections to help relax overactive muscles
- A baclofen pump in more severe cases — a small implanted device that delivers muscle relaxant directly to the spinal fluid
- Assistive devices like walkers or supportive footwear to reduce strain
Keeping a pain diary — noting where the pain is, what it feels like, and when it happens — can be really helpful when talking to a healthcare provider. It helps them pinpoint the cause and find the right approach for managing it.
July 12
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