Back pain is one of the most common symptoms.
It is one of the main reasons why people go to the doctor or miss work, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Most people have back pain at least once.
Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most back pain episodes. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of back pain can include:
- Muscle ache
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Pain that radiates down your leg
- Pain that worsens with bending, lifting, standing or walking
- Pain that improves with reclining
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, usually within a few weeks. If yours doesn't improve in that time, see your doctor. In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem.
Seek immediate care if your back pain:
- Causes new bowel or bladder problems
- Is accompanied by fever
- Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
Contact a doctor if your back pain:
- Is severe and doesn't improve with rest
- Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
- Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
- Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
Causes
Back pain that comes on suddenly and lasts no more than six weeks (acute) can be caused by a fall or heavy lifting. Back pain that lasts more than three months (chronic) is less common than acute pain.
Back pain often develops without a cause that your doctor can identify with a test or an imaging study.
Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:
- Muscle or ligament strain.
- Bulging or ruptured disks.
- Arthritis.
- Skeletal irregularities.
- Osteoporosis.
Anyone can develop back pain. These factors might put you at greater risk of developing back pain: Lack of exercise, excess weight, psychological conditions, smoking.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906
