What is Back Pain?
Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move. It can start quickly if you fall or lift something too heavy, or it can get worse slowly.
Who Gets Back Pain? Anyone can have back pain, but some things that increase your risk are:
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
There are many causes of back pain. Mechanical problems with the back itself can cause pain. Examples are:
Injuries from sprains, fractures, accidents, and falls can result in back pain.
Back pain can also occur with some conditions and diseases, such as:
Other possible causes of back pain are infections, tumors, or stress.
Can Back Pain Be Prevented? The best things you can do to prevent back pain are:
When Should I See a Doctor for Pain? You should see a doctor if you have:
How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?
To diagnose back pain, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor may order other tests, such as:
Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. Many times, the cause of back pain is never known. Back pain can get better even if you do not know the cause.
What Is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts less than 6 weeks. It is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain may be caused by things like falling, being tackled in football, or lifting something heavy. Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
This Spine Health Foundation, Inc. website is intended for informational purposes only and does not warrant or assume legal liability for the accuracy or usefulness of information disclosed. It is not the intent for this information to be used to recommend treatment options for anyone. Please exercise personal responsibility and speak with your health care provider about appropriate treatment protocols that are right for you.
NIH, NIAMS, Retrieved December 29, 2010 from:http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/back_pain_ff.asp#b
Who Gets Back Pain? Anyone can have back pain, but some things that increase your risk are:
What Are the Causes of Back Pain?
There are many causes of back pain. Mechanical problems with the back itself can cause pain. Examples are:
- Disk breakdown
- Spasms
- Tense muscles
- Ruptured disks
Injuries from sprains, fractures, accidents, and falls can result in back pain.
Back pain can also occur with some conditions and diseases, such as:
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Pregnancy
- Kidney stones
- Infections
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia.
Other possible causes of back pain are infections, tumors, or stress.
Can Back Pain Be Prevented? The best things you can do to prevent back pain are:
- Exercise often and keep your back muscles strong.
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you weigh too much. To have strong bones, you need to get enough calcium and vitamin D every day.
- Try to stand up straight and avoid heavy lifting when you can. If you do lift something heavy, bend your legs and keep your back straight.
When Should I See a Doctor for Pain? You should see a doctor if you have:
How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?
To diagnose back pain, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor may order other tests, such as:
- X rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Blood tests.
Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. Many times, the cause of back pain is never known. Back pain can get better even if you do not know the cause.
What Is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts less than 6 weeks. It is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain may be caused by things like falling, being tackled in football, or lifting something heavy. Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
This Spine Health Foundation, Inc. website is intended for informational purposes only and does not warrant or assume legal liability for the accuracy or usefulness of information disclosed. It is not the intent for this information to be used to recommend treatment options for anyone. Please exercise personal responsibility and speak with your health care provider about appropriate treatment protocols that are right for you.
NIH, NIAMS, Retrieved December 29, 2010 from:http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/back_pain_ff.asp#b
