​​​​​​National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease

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https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain   

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According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, as people age, they may experience conditions and diseases of the bones, joints, muscles, and skin. Healthy Aging® Month is an opportunity to learn about these and other conditions, and share resources and information with patients and community members. NIAMS offers more than 40 Health Topics with information related to symptoms, treatment, and tips for daily living.

 

Overview of Back Pain

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Back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the United States. It can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that may shoot down the leg. Sometimes it can come on suddenly – from an accident, a fall, or lifting something heavy, or it can develop slowly because of age-related degenerative changes in the spine. In some cases, inflammatory arthritis disorders or other medical conditions cause back pain.

Treatment varies depending on the cause and symptoms, and often there are several contributing factors. However, there are steps you can take to improve your health and lower your chance of developing chronic or long-lasting back pain.

 

Understanding the Anatomy of the Back

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There are many different structures in the anatomy of the back that work together to support your body. Problems with any one of these structures can cause back pain.

 

There are four regions of the spine: Cervical spine, Thoracic spine, Lumbar spine, Sacrum and coccyx.

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• Parts of the spine and back include:

• Vertebrae – small bones stacked on top of one another, which protect the spinal cord.

• Spinal cord – long bundle of nerves that run down the back through a canal in the vertebrae.

• Intervertebral discs – cushion-like pads between the vertebrae that act like shock absorbers and spacers for the spine.

• Ligaments – short bands of tough, flexible tissue that hold the vertebrae in place.

• Tendons – cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone.

• Muscles – a bundle of dynamic fibers that support your spine and upper body and help you move.

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Who Gets Back Pain?

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Anyone can have back pain, and almost everyone will experience back pain at some point in their life. Several factors increase your risk of developing back pain and can include:  Fitness levels, weight gain, job-related risk factors, stress levels, age, heredity.

 

Types of Back Pain

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Doctors and researchers describe the types of back pain in the following ways:  Acute back pain, subacute back pain, and chronic back pain.

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Symptoms of Back Pain

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Back pain can range from local pain in a specific spot to generalized pain spreading all over the back. Sometimes the pain radiates away from the back to other areas of your body, such as the buttocks, legs, or abdomen. The intensity of back pain varies for each person. Depending on the type, causes, and location of your back pain, you may experience:

• Increasing pain with lifting and bending.

• Worsening pain when resting, sitting, or standing.

• Back pain that comes and goes.

• Stiffness in the morning when awakening and lessened back pain with activity.

• Pain that radiates away from the back into the buttocks, leg, or hip.

• Numbness or weakness in your legs or feet.

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You should see a doctor if your pain does not improve after a few weeks or if any of the following symptoms happen with your back pain:

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• Numbness and tingling.

• Severe back pain that does not improve with medication (see Treatment section).

• Back pain after a fall or injury.

• Back pain along with: trouble urinating, weakness, pain, or numbness in legs, fever, weight loss that you did not intend.

 

Causes of Back Pain

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Back pain can be caused by many different factors, which may all be present at the same time and interact to result in chronic low back pain. These could include mechanical or structural problems with the spine, inflammatory conditions, and other medical conditions. It is also possible that no specific cause can be identified for the start of back pain.

 

Mechanical/Structural Problems

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Back pain can happen when mechanical or structural problems develop in the spine, discs, muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the back, or compress a nerve. Sprains, Strains, degenerative disc disease, herniated or ruptured discs, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and fractured.

 

Inflammatory Conditions

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• Ankylosing spondylitis, a specific type of arthritis of the spine.

 

Other Medical Conditions

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• Osteoporosis, which can lead to painful fractures of the vertebrae.

• Fibromyalgia, a condition of widespread muscle pain and fatigue.

• Kidney stones or infections.

• Endometriosis, which is the buildup of uterine tissue in places outside the uterus.

• Infections that involve the bones of the spine or the discs between these bones, which can cause back pain.

• Tumors, in rare cases, that develop on the spine or other areas of the back.

• Pregnancy.