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Did you know... 70% to 85% of people have experienced back pain at some point in their lives.
Causes
Back pain is the second most common problem that brings people into the doctor’s office. The causes of back pain are numerous; pain may be caused by a lifetime of bad habits, accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries.
Sudden back pain is referred to as acute back pain, and can be caused by improper sitting, fall or sports related injury, carrying heavy objects, lack of muscle tone, or carrying excessive weight.
Back pain that lasts longer than three months is referred to as chronic back pain, and may be caused by an underlying condition such as a herniated disk, spinal stenoisis, or degenerative disc disease.
Symptoms
The causes of back pain may be different, but often share the same symptoms. Symptoms include:
- Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine
- Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back, especially after a strenuous activity
- Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods
- Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes
- Inability to stand straight without experiencing severe muscle spasms
Treatment
A variety of non-surgical treatments may be used to deal with back pain, including exercise, stretching, and physical therapy. However, depending on the cause of the back pain, back surgery may be required. It should be known that the effectiveness of back pain treatments can vary from person to person, so it is important to see a physician to get an accurate diagnosis.
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