What is Back Pain?

Back pain is a common complaint. Four out of five people will experience lower back pain at least once during their lives. It’s one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work. On the bright side, you can prevent most back pain. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics will often heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain When back pain does not subside, and the injury or illness that caused it has had sufficient time to heal, it is termed chronic back pain. Chronic back pain usually lasts more than three months and may be mild or severe. Amongst the common causes of your back pain may be facet joint or herniated intervertebral disc (slipped disc).

Causes of Back Pain

• Injuries
• Acquired conditions and diseases
• Infections and tumors
• Mechanical problems

Symptoms of Back Pain

• Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone
• Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other 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 having pain or muscle spasms in the lower back