Back Pain

Pain that originates from the muscles, bones or nerves in the back and spine can make it very hard to accomplish anything. Every movement of the body can trigger excruciating pain.

Back pain can be caused by problems with the mechanics of the back - such as tense muscles, muscle spasms and degenerating discs - or by a number of diseases or conditions, including arthritis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, endometriosis and kidney stones.

Back pain can fall into two categories: chronic pain and sudden onset. Anyone who has ever “thrown out” their back while lifting something heavy or bending in an unnatural way knows how unpleasant sudden onset back pain can be, but those who suffer from chronic back pain may have it even worse. Sudden onset back pain will usually disappear in a number of days (it may take a week or two, in some cases), but chronic back pain never fully subsides.

If you experience significant pain, numbness or weakness in your spine or back muscles, see a doctor.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from back pain. Two-thirds of Americans will suffer from serious back pain at some point in their lives.
  2. The likelihood that an individual will experience back pain can be increased by a number of external factors, including stress, poor physical fitness, obesity, repetitive movements (e.g., a job that requires you to lift heavy items over and over again) and disease.
  3. Back pain is the number-one cause of disability among Americans who are under the age of 45.
  4. Back pain can be hard to diagnose. Often, the cause of the pain cannot be determined. Doctors usually attempt to diagnose back pain using X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and even blood tests.
  5. Back pain can be prevented by getting exercise, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding movements that put stress on your back.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What movements or activities are likely to cause my back pain to flare up?
  2. How can I change my lifestyle to reduce my back pain?
  3. How long will it take before my back pain subsides?

Also Known As: Dorsalgia, chronic back pain, lower back pain, upper back pain

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