Back Pain

What is Back Pain?

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems, affecting around 60% to 80% people at some point during their lives. Common conditions linked to back pain include: muscle spasm, slipped disc, facet joint arthropathy, etc.

Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain comes on suddenly and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. It is called chronic if it lasts for more than three months. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and sprain spinal ligaments.

What are the manifestations of Back Pain?

Back pain can be accompanied with a wide variety of symptoms, it can be mild and merely annoying or it can be severe and debilitating. Depending on the underlying cause of the pain, symptoms can be experienced in a variety of ways. For example:

Sharp pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back

Pain that is dull or achy, contained to the back

Stinging, burning pain that moves from the low back to the backs of the thighs, sometimes into the lower legs or feet; can include numbness ortingling (sciatica)

Muscle spasms and tightness in the low back, pelvis, and hips

Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes

Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing

Difficulty standing up straight, walking, or going from standing to sitting

Back pain commonly stems from strain, tension, or injury. Common causes of back pain include:

Strained muscles or sprained ligaments

Damaged discs

Injuries, fractures, or falls

Muscle spasm

Various activities may lead to muscle spasm and disc damage like lifting something improperly, lifting too heavy objects or making an abrupt and awkward movement etc.