ack pain is a very common complaint. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 80% of all Americans will have low back pain at least once in their lives.
Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and doctor visits. Although back pain may be painful and uncomfortable, it is not usually serious.
Even though back pain can affect people of any age, it is significantly more common among adults aged between 35 and 55 years. Experts say that back pain is associated with the way our bones, muscles and ligaments in our backs work together.
Pain in the lower back may be linked to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, lower back muscles, abdomen and pelvic internal organs, and the skin around the lumbar area. Pain in the upper back may be due to disorders of the aorta, tumors in the chest, and spine inflammation.
Contents of this article:
Risk factors for back pain
Signs and symptoms of back pain
Causes of back pain
Diagnosing back pain
Treatments for back pain
Preventing back pain
You will also see introductions at the end of some sections to any recent developments that have been covered by MNT's news stories. Also, look out for links to information about related conditions.
Risk factors for back pain
A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes type 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2.
The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing low back pain:
Office worker suffering with back pain
A mentally stressful job
Pregnancy - pregnant women are much more likely to get back pain
A sedentary lifestyle
Age - older adults are more susceptible than young adults or children
Anxiety
Depression
Gender - back pain is more common among females than males
Obesity/overweight
Smoking
Strenuous physical exercise (especially if not done properly)
Strenuous physical work.
Signs and symptoms of back pain A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.
The main symptom of back pain is, as the name suggests, an ache or pain anywhere on the back, and sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and legs. In most cases signs and symptoms clear up on their own within a short period.
If any of the following signs or symptoms accompanies a back pain your should see your doctor:
Weight loss
Elevated body temperature (fever)
Inflammation (swelling) on the back
Persistent back pain - lying down or resting does not help
Pain down the legs
Pain reaches below the knees
A recent injury, blow or trauma to your back
Urinary incontinence - you pee unintentionally (even small amounts)
Difficulty urinating - passing urine is hard
Fecal incontinence - you lose your bowel control (you poo unintentionally)
Numbness around the genitals
Numbness around the anus
Numbness around the buttocks.
According to the National Health Service (NHS), UK, the following groups of people should seek medical advice if they experience back pain:
People aged less than 20 and more than 55 years
Patients who have been taking steroids for a few months
Drug abusers
Patients with cancer
Patients who have had cancer
Patients with low immune systems.
Causes of back pain The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks and bones - the segments of our spine are cushioned with cartilage-like pads. Problems with any of these components can lead to back pain. In some cases of back pain, its cause is never found.
Strain - the most common causes of back pain are: Man lifting a heavy box
Lifting something in an improper manner is a common cause of back pain.
Strained muscles
Strained ligaments
Lifting something improperly
Lifting something that is too heavy
The result of an abrupt and awkward movement
A muscle spasm.
Structural problems - the following structural problems may also result in back pain:
Ruptured disks - each vertebra in our spine is cushioned by disks. If the disk ruptures there will be more pressure on a nerve, resulting in back pain.
Bulging disks - in much the same way as ruptured disks, a bulging disk can result in more pressure on a nerve.
Sciatica - a sharp and shooting pain that travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg, caused by a bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve.
Arthritis - patients with osteoarthritis commonly experience problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, knees and hands. In some cases spinal stenosis can develop - the space around the spinal cord narrows.
Abnormal curvature of the spine - if the spine curves in an unusual way the patient is more likely to experience back pain. An example is scoliosis, when the spine curves to the side.
Osteoporosis - bones, including the vertebrae of the spine, become brittle and porous, making compression fractures more likely.
Below are some other causes of back pain:
Cauda equina syndrome - the cauda equine is a bundle of spinal nerve roots that arise from the lower end of the spinal cord. People with cauda equine syndrome feel a dull pain in the lower back and upper buttocks, as well as analgesia (lack of feeling) in the buttocks, genitalia and thigh. There are sometimes bowel and bladder function disturbances.
Cancer of the spine - a tumor located on the spine may press against a nerve, resulting in back pain.
Infection of the spine - if the patient has an elevated body temperature (fever) as well as a tender warm area on the back, it could be caused by an infection of the spine.
Other infections - pelvic inflammatory disease (females), bladder or kidney infections.
Sleep disorders - individuals with sleep disorders are more likely to experience back pain, compared to others.
Shingles - an infection that can affect the nerves.
Bad mattress - if a mattress does not support specific parts of the body and keep the spine straight, there is a greater risk of developing back pain.
Everyday activities or poor posture.
Back pain can also be the result of some everyday activity or poor posture. Examples include: Example of poor posture when using a computer
We live in a world of computers. Adopting a very hunched sitting position when using computers can result in increased back and shoulder problems over time.
Bending awkwardly
Pushing something
Pulling something
Carrying something
Lifting something
Standing for long periods
Bending down for long periods
Twisting
Coughing
Sneezing
Muscle tension
Over-stretching
Sitting in a hunched position for long periods (e.g. when driving)
Long driving sessions without a break (even when not hunched).
On the next page we look at how back pain is diagnosed, the treatment options and how back pain can be prevented.