What is back pain?
Back pain is discomfort anywhere in the back of the body, from the base of the neck to the top of the buttocks. It is a common symptom of many potential injuries and illnesses. Back pain is one of the main reasons people visit their doctor.
What does back pain feel like?
Symptoms of back pain vary depending on the cause. Do you experience these symptoms when you have back pain: Burning, Aching, Dull, Sharp, Shooting, Stabbing, Throbbing. You may also experience:
- Muscle tightness or stiffness
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness
- Sudden muscle twitches or contractions that can range from mild to extremely painful (back spasms)
Pain or other sensations may spread (radiate) from your back to other parts of your body, such as your buttocks, hips, or legs. Certain positions, such as standing, bending over, or lying down, may make your symptoms worse or better. The pain may come and go. It may be worse at certain times of the day, such as when you first wake up.
What are the types of back pain?
Health care providers often describe back pain based on where it is. You may have:
Pain in the upper and middle back. This type of back pain is located between the base of your neck and the bottom of your ribs. Your thoracic spine passes through this area.
Lower back pain. This is the back pain you feel just below your ribs. Your lumbar spine passes through this area.
Lower back pain is more common than upper and mid-back pain. This is because your lumbar spine bears most of your weight and also takes most of the stress when you lift or carry things. Therefore, this part of the spine and the structures around it are particularly susceptible to painful injuries and wear and tear from overuse.
Acute vs. Chronic Back Pain
In addition to location, healthcare providers describe back pain based on how long it lasts:
- Acute back pain lasts less than four weeks.
- Subacute back pain can last from four to 12 weeks.
- Chronic back pain lasts more than 12 weeks.
What are the most common causes of back pain?
Back strains and sprains are the most common causes of back pain. These injuries can occur suddenly (the moment of "pain") or over time. Strains and sprains can affect different parts of the back:
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. A strain can be caused by a single event, such as lifting a heavy object, or by repeated movements over time, such as bending over at work.
A sprain is an injury to a ligament. It usually occurs after a sudden fall, twist, or blunt force injury that causes the ligament to move beyond its normal range of motion.
With a strain or sprain, you may notice:
- Muscle spasms
- Increased pain when you move
- Reduced range of motion (difficulty walking, bending, or standing as usual)
For a sudden injury, you may hear a pop or feel a tearing sensation when the injury occurs
Back pain can also be caused by mechanical or structural problems in your back
- These problems are related to any of the following:
- The bones that make up the spine (vertebrae)
- The flat, round pads between the vertebrae (disks)
- The soft tissues around the vertebrae and discs, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments
Mechanical or structural problems that cause back pain include:
Arthritis. There are several types of arthritis that can affect your back, including osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. You may experience pain and stiffness in your lower back and other symptoms depending on the type of arthritis.
Degenerative disc disease. You may feel pain in your lower back that extends into your arms, legs, or buttocks. The pain may come and go or get worse after certain movements, such as bending or twisting.
Spinal fractures. A sudden injury that causes a spinal fracture can cause severe back pain that may get worse when you walk or move.
Herniated disc. A damaged disc can press on nearby nerves, causing lower back pain and severe, stabbing pain in the buttocks and one side of the leg (sciatica). A herniated disc can cause cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency.
Myofascial pain syndrome. You may experience aching, throbbing or similar pain, trigger points, muscle weakness, and/or other symptoms.
Sacroiliitis. Inflammation causes pain in the lower back that may spread to the buttocks, hips, or thighs.
Scoliosis. This abnormal curvature of the spine can cause back pain, difficulty standing upright, leg pain, numbness, or weakness in severe cases.
Spinal stenosis. Lumbar (lower back) spinal stenosis and associated "nerve compression" can cause lower back pain, sciatica, a heavy feeling in the legs, and pain that worsens when standing or walking for long periods of time.
Spondylolisthesis. You may experience lower back pain, muscle cramping in the back of the thigh, pain when bending over, and difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time.
Spondylosis. The most common symptom is pain in the lower back that often spreads to the thigh and buttocks. The pain worsens with activity and is relieved by less activity or rest.
How can I get relief from my back pain?
Treatment for back pain depends on the cause and type (acute or chronic). Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following treatments to address the underlying cause and/or relieve your pain.
Therapy
1. Physical therapy
2. Integrative medicine therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, or yoga therapy
3. Osteopathy
4. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which is a pain relief therapy
5. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you cope with severe or chronic pain
Medication
1. Medication injections, such as epidural steroid injections (ESI) or nerve blocks
2. Muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, or methocarbamol (these medications require a prescription and are addictive, so follow your doctor's instructions closely about when and how to take them)
3. Acetaminophen
4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
5. Prescription pain relievers, such as duloxetine (because opioids are so addictive, providers usually only use them as a last resort when the benefits outweigh the risks)
Surgery
1. Spinal surgery (usually minimally invasive).
2. Surgery treats the underlying cause of the pain.
Remember that a treatment that helps someone you know may not help you. That's because the effectiveness of certain treatments can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause of your back pain. For example, if you have a condition that affects the nerves (such as a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease), an ESI injection is more likely to help. But some people don't get much or any pain relief at all.
How to get back pain relief fast at home?
We all wish we could get rid of back pain right away. But most injuries and illnesses that cause back pain take a while to heal. There's no quick and easy fix. Your doctor may recommend some home remedies to make you feel more comfortable, including:
- Using a heating pad to relieve pain and stiffness
- Using ice packs to relieve pain and swelling
- Practicing mindful, purposeful movement (exercises and stretches to relieve back pain include some yoga poses combined with deep breathing techniques)
If you have back pain, your instinct may tell you to lie down and rest. But in many cases, gentle movement can help more than bed rest. It depends on the cause of your back pain. Talk to your provider about the level of physical activity that's safe and beneficial for you.
Back pain isn't always easy to describe in words, but you'll know it when you have it. Back pain can make the simplest tasks difficult or downright impossible. The good news is that many causes of back pain (like sprains and strains) are temporary. When every minute feels like an eternity, it's hard to imagine the pain going away. But it will get better. Your doctor can recommend home remedies and/or treatments to help.
Living with chronic back pain can feel like a long, tiring journey into the unknown. But it's not a journey you take alone. Your healthcare provider can offer treatment options that target the cause of your pain and help you feel better day by day.
