Back problems are common, but they usually improve with time. Avoid lifting heavy objects and exercise regularly to strengthen your back muscles. Take simple painkillers if you need them.
X-rays, bone scans and other tests help your doctor decide what’s causing your back pain. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy and hands-on manipulation.
Back pain can come on suddenly as a sharp, burning stitch or gradually increase in intensity until it feels like a lead weight is sitting on your spine. It can radiate from one side of your back to the buttocks or down the legs (sciatica). It may feel better in certain positions and worse when you change them. It may also be accompanied by stiffness, a feeling of weakness in the legs and difficulty walking or moving.
Most back pain comes from a minor injury or condition that will resolve over time, but sometimes it can indicate a serious medical problem. A person should seek a physician if the pain persists for more than 6 weeks, is accompanied by numbness in the legs or feet, or if bowel or bladder function is affected.
The most common causes of back problems include:
A herniated disk (the soft, rubbery discs that act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine can bulge into the space containing the spinal cord or nerve roots).
Sciatica (pain that extends down the back of the leg).
One-sided pain. Pain that’s only on one side of the body is called referred pain, and it occurs when a problem in another part of the body sends pain signals to the back. Common sources of referred pain that might be confused with back pain include an abdominal aortic aneurysm (a ballooning of the aorta in the belly), tubal pregnancy, kidney stones, and pancreatitis.
Other causes of back pain include infections, such as bacterial spinal meningitis, and other illnesses, including infection of the blood vessels or pelvic inflammatory disease.
In most cases, treatment for back problems starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone. Medications to relax tight muscles and prevent spasms may be prescribed as well. Physical therapy and other hands-on treatments help strengthen the muscles that support the spine, improve flexibility and posture, and reduce pain. If needed, cortisone injections decrease inflammation and relieve pain in the short term. However, these are not long-term solutions.
Back pain is the most common symptom, but other symptoms may be present as well. The pain could be mild or severe, constant or intermittent, localized to one part of the back or spread out over the entire body. It might feel like an ache, a sharp or burning sensation, or a pins-and-needles feeling. Occasionally, the back pain might extend to the arms and legs, which is called sciatica. In some cases, this is caused by compression of the spinal nerves and can be very serious. This is called cauda equina syndrome and should be treated by a specialist spinal team.
The doctor will examine your back, looking for areas of tenderness or sensitivity, and asking questions about your activities and when the pain started. He or she might also ask you to move in certain ways to see if your pain is triggered by specific movements. For example, your doctor might ask you to hyperextend your back (bending backwards very quickly) to see if this triggers the pain. This is a sign of a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, which are problems in the lower spine.
If your back is so painful that you can’t go to work or perform your usual activities, the GP will usually refer you to physiotherapy. This will include exercises that will gradually help to reduce the pain and increase your strength. It’s important to continue these exercises even after the pain has gone, to prevent the back problem returning.
The physiotherapist will also use heat, cold, ultrasound and electrical stimulation on your muscles and soft tissues to reduce pain. Your therapist will also teach you techniques for improving your posture and the way you move, so that your back and neck are better protected.
Some people with back problems find that their pain improves if they avoid the things that cause it. This includes avoiding over-activity, and being careful when lifting heavy items. It’s a good idea to take breaks when doing strenuous activities, and make several trips when carrying groceries. Sitting for long periods of time on chairs that don’t support your back well can make the problem worse. Try using a seat with a supportive lower back and armrests, or placing a rolled towel under the small of your back.
The first step in diagnosing back pain is taking a complete medical history. The doctor asks where the pain is, how long it has been there, when it began and what makes it better or worse. The doctor also asks about any numbness or tingling that might indicate a pinched nerve. The doctor then examines the area of the spine, feeling for muscle tightness and movement restrictions.
X-rays are used to identify bone problems in the spine, such as fractures and arthritis. However, X-rays cannot detect damage to muscles, ligaments or discs in the spine. Other imaging tests that can be used include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography scans. MRI and CT scans produce cross-sectional images, or slices, of the back. These images allow doctors to see the soft tissues of the spinal cord, nerves and discs in more detail.
Electrodiagnostic studies such as needle electromyography (EMG) and transcranial doppler (TCD) may be used to evaluate muscle and nerve function. However, these tests can be inaccurate and have a limited role in the evaluation of back pain.
Most back pain improves without the need for diagnostic studies. For those who do not, a thorough history and physical examination can help identify the small percentage of patients who have serious diseases that should be evaluated immediately. This includes infection, malignancy, rheumatologic disease and neurologic disorders.
It is important for people with back pain to remain active and to avoid bed rest, as this can slow the recovery process and make the pain and symptoms worse. Many workers can return to their jobs while taking painkillers, but the amount of time off work depends on the type of job and the severity of the back problem. The longer a person stays out of work, the harder it is to get back into the workforce when the injury heals. For this reason, experts recommend that people start light activities as soon as possible and only stay off work if the pain is severe.
Most back pain is caused by mechanical problems that improve with time, so treatment usually doesn’t involve surgery. Medications may be prescribed for pain and other symptoms. Some common pain relievers are acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen), and medications that block nerve pain such as gabapentin and pregabalin. Short courses of opioids can also provide effective pain relief, but are used only as a last resort because of their risk of addiction and other side effects.
In most cases, doctors recommend starting with home treatments such as heat or ice packs, exercise and activity modification, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. In most people, this will help reduce or eliminate their back pain within a month. However, some people will have more persistent back pain that doesn’t respond to these treatments. This is called chronic back pain and may last longer than three months.
If you are able to move and function normally despite the pain, your doctor will probably recommend a physical therapist to teach you exercises, stretches and techniques for improving movement and posture. These exercises can help strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, improve flexibility and reduce pain. Regular use of these exercises can also prevent future episodes of back pain.
Depending on the cause of your back pain, an MRI or CT scan might be necessary to show herniated disks or other problems with bones, muscle, tissue, tendons and ligaments in your body. Blood tests might be needed to rule out infection or other conditions that can cause pain.
For some people, cortisone injections might be recommended for pain that radiates down the legs (sciatica). These injections consist of a combination of cortisone, which decreases inflammation in the area, and numbing medication to decrease pain signals in the spinal cord and nerves. Occasionally, a special type of injection called radiofrequency denervation might be useful for treating severe chronic back pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments. This involves placing needles in the facet joints of the spine and heating them with a device that is inserted into the skin over the joint.
Back pain can affect your ability to walk, climb stairs and lift heavy objects. It can also be accompanied by symptoms like numbness, weakness or loss of reflexes.
Back problems usually get better over time, especially if you avoid triggering your back pain by getting enough exercise. But it’s important to recognize when to see a doctor about your back pain.
The back is a complex structure with lots of different parts that work together. The main areas that can cause back pain are the vertebrae (small bones stacked on top of each other to make up your spine), the spinal cord (a long bundle of nerves that runs down your back through a canal in the vertebrae) and the intervertebral discs (cushion-like pads between the vertebrae). Problems with these structures can be caused by many things, including:
Back problems can also affect your muscles, ligaments and tendons. This can be due to injury, overuse or arthritis. Muscle spasms can happen when you lift something heavy or twist your back at the same time. Ligaments and tendons are flexible bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone, and help the movement of your back and body. Back problems can also be caused by a tumour or cyst in the spinal column, although these are rare and would need to be investigated urgently by a healthcare professional.
Almost always, your back pain will go away on its own, but if it is getting worse and you are worried then talk to a healthcare professional as you may need some treatment. A specialist will perform a physical examination and one or more imaging scans to diagnose the cause of your back problems.
A good night’s sleep can really help with your back problems. Try not to use electronic devices that emit blue light at bedtime, which can disrupt your sleep cycle. Instead try listening to relaxing music, reading or practicing a meditation technique.
Exercise is important and can help reduce your back pain, but be careful when you are first starting. It’s best to start off gently and gradually build up your exercises over time. If your back pain is causing you to struggle sleeping, try talking with a healthcare professional for advice and support.
Some people develop a fear of movement and activity, worrying that they will make their back pain worse. This can be very distressing and can lead to mood issues like anxiety, depression and frustration. This can also lead to changes in your posture, which will exacerbate your back pain.
The bones of your back are connected to the spinal cord and the rest of the body through nerves that run from the brain through spaces in the spine to the limbs and organs. If the nerves are pinched, you may feel pain. If a tingling sensation joins the pain, it could be an indication that there is a more serious problem and you should seek medical help.
The main structures that make up your back are your vertebrae – small bones stacked one on top of the other, which protect the spinal cord. Disks – soft cushions that sit between the vertebrae – can bulge from their position and press on a nerve (herniated disk) or degenerate and offer less protection (dysfunctional disc disease). The ligaments and joints that connect your bones can become stiff, causing pain. Your sacroiliac joint – the large joint at the bottom of your spine that connects your pelvis to each side of the spine – can also become painful, if it becomes inflamed (sacroiliitis).
Stress, arthritis and pregnancy are some causes of back problems. Arthritis can cause bone and cartilage to break down. If the arthritis affects your spine, you may develop a condition called ankylosing spondylitis or a curve in your spine known as scoliosis. Your spine can also fracture if you fall, have a car accident or twist your back.
Spine problems can be caused by other conditions like a tumor or cancer that has spread to your spine, as well as conditions such as osteoporosis and spondylolysis. These conditions can make your spine weaker and prone to fractures and other problems.
You can take steps to ease your back pain and tingling by taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You can also apply heat or ice to the affected area and follow physical therapy guidelines to improve your strength, flexibility and posture. Talk to a spine specialist at Citrus Spine Institute if you have pain and tingling that doesn’t improve with self-care and at-home remedies. We can create a treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and history.
Pain in the back can be caused by a wide range of conditions. But in many cases, the pain is related to a mechanical problem and will improve with proper treatment.
Your back is made of a series of bones, called vertebrae, that are stacked on top of one another. Between each bone are cushion-like disks, ligaments and muscles that hold the spine in place. Your spinal cord, a long bundle of nerves, runs down the center of your spine through a canal in the vertebrae. Your back also contains joints that connect the vertebrae, called facet joints. Over time, the cartilage that lines these joints breaks down causing friction and stress on the adjoining vertebrae. This can cause a herniated lumbar disk. A herniated lumbar disk occurs when the inner gel of one of the five discs in your lower back squishes beyond its outer rind, causing it to press against nerves that run through the spine. This causes pain in your back and can lead to muscle weakness.
A herniated lumbar disk can also be the result of injury or age-related wear and tear on your spine and joints. In addition, a spinal compression fracture may occur when a vertebra in your lower spine splinters in on itself, usually due to osteoporosis. This can lead to a severe back pain that can also cause loss of muscle strength and numbness in your legs.
Other common causes of back problems include sprains or strains of the muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the spine and its joints. This can happen when you lift something too heavy or do a twisting movement that’s not safe. It can also happen from repeated bending or twisting motions or from a fall or blow to your back.
If your back pain spreads down into your buttocks or down the front of your leg, you should see a doctor right away. This type of back pain may indicate that there’s a serious problem with your spinal cord or the nerves in your legs. It can also indicate an infection, such as shingles or an inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Back pain is caused by a variety of things, from muscle sprains and strains to herniated discs. But, in some cases, it could be a sign of something much more serious, especially when the pain is accompanied by other symptoms like weakness or numbness. If you’re experiencing these symptoms along with fever and night sweats, you should seek medical attention immediately. These are signs of a serious infection that may require medical intervention or surgery.
The cause of these symptoms could be due to compression or pressure on the spinal nerves, which can happen when a herniated disc presses against the spinal cord. This can lead to permanent damage if left untreated. The symptoms of this condition are usually worse than simple back pain and include a feeling of pins and needles, weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, and numbness.
A fever and night sweats can also be a sign of an infection in the bloodstream that may affect your spine, such as pyelonephritis or spondylolisthesis (when one or more vertebrae shift out of place). These conditions will need to be treated with antibiotics before you can begin to feel better.
Your doctor will likely ask you to move in certain ways to determine which part of your back is affected. For example, your doctor may ask you to hyperextend your back, or bend backwards for 20 or 30 seconds to see if this causes any pain. If the pain is sharp and moves around – for example, from your back to your buttocks or down your legs – then it might be a sign of lumbar spinal stenosis, which is when there’s a narrowing in the canal that runs through your back and houses your spinal nerves.
In general, the best way to deal with back problems is to keep active and take it easy. Applying a heat pack can help ease pain and stiffness, as can using an ice pack. Try alternating hot and cold therapy throughout the day or week to find out what works best for you. Keeping the muscles in your back limber is also important, so make sure you continue to exercise.
Back problems can be a real pain. But most back pain gets better with treatment.
Pain that gets worse while sitting may suggest a herniated disc. Pain that comes and goes may indicate spinal stenosis.
Over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories can ease most back pain. Heat and ice packs can also help.
A physiotherapist can help you learn to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, improve your posture and movement habits, and deal with the pain. He or she can also teach you stretches and exercises to help ease the pain and prevent flare-ups.
The most important step in easing back pain is to stay active. This will not only keep the muscles around the spine strong, but it will also reduce inflammation and pressure on nerve roots. However, it is important to take it easy, as excessive activity could make the problem worse.
If you are in severe pain, contact your GP as soon as possible. If your GP is not available, call 111. It is a free service and will help you to find the right treatment for your back pain.
Back pain is usually not a sign of serious illness, but you should get medical attention if your pain is accompanied by neurologic symptoms (numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs). Your doctor may also recommend steroid injections into the space around the spinal cord and nerve roots to decrease the inflammation and relieve the pain.
Antibiotics may be prescribed if your back pain is accompanied by a fever or chills. Infections of the spine are less common than infections in other parts of the body, but they can be life threatening. They are usually caused by bacteria. They are most common in patients who have dialysis or IV drug use, or in those with osteoporosis, who are at high risk of fractures of the sacrum (the large bone in the lower part of the pelvis).
You can ease pain by applying heat to the area. A hot bath, a reusable heat pad bought from chemists and sports shops, or a microwavable wheat bag can all help. Applying ice packs on the affected area may also ease pain and stiffness. If you are unsure what type of heat or ice to use, ask your physiotherapist.
Pain in the low back may also be a sign of other serious illnesses. This is called referred pain, and it occurs when a problem in another part of the body causes pain to travel down a nerve. Some of these diseases include abdominal aneurysm, tubal pregnancy, kidney stones and pancreatitis.
The spine, including the discs that cushion it, connects the brain to the body and provides support. The spine consists of bones called vertebrae, joints, ligaments and muscles. As we age, it’s common for our backs to feel stiff and painful. Back pain can also be caused by accidents or medical conditions.
Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers can help ease back pain. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs reduce swelling, fever, and pain by blocking chemicals that cause inflammation. Medications to control nerve pain, such as morphine or other opioids, are also sometimes used to manage severe back pain. However, these can have side effects, such as constipation, nausea and dizziness. Our doctors carefully balance medication recommendations with risks and benefits.
When you have back pain, it’s important to keep moving. It’s especially important to do exercises that strengthen and stretch the muscles in your back. It’s also good to try to sleep with a straight, not bent, posture when you can.
If your pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever or chills, you should contact a doctor. If your back pain is caused by an infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Most back pain isn’t serious and gets better on its own. It’s also important to get back to work as soon as possible. It will improve your mood and you’ll be less likely to suffer from longer-term problems.
Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions to determine what’s causing your pain. For example, he or she will test your ability to hyperextend your back to see if this causes pain. They will also ask you to move in certain ways, such as bending over or squatting.
If over-the-counter medications don’t help, your doctor may suggest stronger medicines or surgery. These treatments are usually reserved for serious cases of back pain that don’t respond to other treatment options, such as a ruptured disc or debilitating nerve pain. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a surgical procedure that involves placing a small device, which looks like a pacemaker, in the epidural space adjacent to the area of your spine believed to be causing the pain. The device sends mild electric pulses through leads to help mask and block pain signals in your brain.
In most cases back pain improves over time and a few weeks is all you need to get your life back to normal. Staying active and taking some painkillers to allow you to carry on your daily activities will help your back to heal and prevent you from becoming depressed by staying in bed. It is important to find a balance between rest and activity and your doctor will be able to advise you on this.
You should never ignore back pain and you should also avoid ‘toughing it out’ as this can cause longer-term damage. You can often improve the problem by using the self-help techniques outlined above and your treatment should be tailored to your individual needs.
It is not uncommon for back pain to be felt in other parts of the body such as the thighs, buttocks and feet (called referred pain). This can be due to irritation or compression of a nerve from the spine which is called sciatica.
There are a number of things that can cause this including spinal stenosis (the bones of the spine, called vertebrae, can become smaller which presses on nerves in the spinal canal) or herniated discs. It is also possible that the pain is being caused by a condition such as osteoporosis or fibromyalgia which can cause pain and stiffness all over the body.
If your back pain is accompanied by leg symptoms such as numbness, tingling or a feeling of pins and needles it may be that a nerve is being compressed and this can be diagnosed with an injection called an epidural. This is injected into the space around the nerve roots in the spine and can be very effective for some people.
Very rarely it is necessary to have an operation for back problems such as a slipped disc, spinal stenosis or severe sciatica but most doctors would prefer to try other treatments first. If you do have to have surgery, neurosurgeons have a variety of options that they can use to free the nerves and relieve pressure on the nerves.
The spine, also called the backbone or spinal column, is one of the strongest parts of the body. It is made up of 24 bones, known as vertebrae, that sit on top of each other and are held together by strong ligaments and muscles. The spinal cord runs through the center of the spine, and nerves leave it on each side to connect to the rest of the body. The bones of the spine have spaces between them for these nerves to pass through, and this is what makes us able to move. As we get older, these structures can become stiff and lead to pain in the back.
Most back pain is caused by mechanical problems and will improve with time, especially if treated with home care. However, some symptoms may indicate a serious problem and require immediate attention by a medical professional. For example, severe and ongoing back pain or pain that travels down the legs could be a sign of a spinal fracture.
To determine the cause of back pain, doctors will usually start with a physical exam. They will test how the back feels when they bend and twist it. They will also ask questions about where the pain is felt and what makes it better or worse.
X-rays will show possible damage to the spine like fractures or herniated discs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans will give more detailed pictures of the spine and can reveal if a disk is pressing on nerves. Computerised tomography (CT) scans can show changes in the spine, including bone spurs and narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis). Blood tests can be used to check for an infection that might be causing the back pain.
When conservative treatments don’t relieve back pain, surgery may be needed to help ease the pressure on nerves or spinal cord. The type of surgery depends on the condition causing the pain, and the most common procedures include a discectomy to remove a disc bulge; fusion to join vertebrae together; and a foraminotomy to open up a bone called the lamina where a spinal nerve enters the spine.
Back pain is caused by problems with different structures in your body including: vertebrae – small bones stacked one on top of another that protect the spinal cord; intervertebral discs – cushion-like pads between the vertebrae that act like shock absorbers; muscles; ligaments and tendons.
Pain in the back can be sharp or dull, come and go, constant or throbbing. It can also be felt in other areas of your body.
Back pain is a very common condition and almost everyone experiences it at some point in their life. However, if your back pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness in your legs or arms, or numbness in your arms and hands you should see your doctor urgently.
Your back is a complex structure which provides support for your pelvis, legs, ribcage and arms. It is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae which are stacked together to form a loose ‘S’-shaped column. Between each vertebrae are spongy discs that act as shock absorbers and allow the spine some flexibility. The spinal cord runs through the centre of the vertebral column and connects your brain to the rest of your body. Your back also contains nerves which carry messages from your brain to the rest of your body. These messages tell your muscles to move, and the discs in your back to compress or decompress.
Most back pain starts suddenly and goes away within two to six weeks, but for some people it can become a chronic problem, lasting more than three months. Chronic back pain can make you change your lifestyle, and in turn can affect your health.
Some things are more likely to cause back problems than others. For example, as we age the discs in our back can start to wear out, and this can lead to stiffness and pain. Being overweight can put extra strain on the joints in your back. And certain medical conditions such as inflammatory arthritis (a type of joint disease that causes pain and swelling) or osteoporosis can cause back pain.
Other causes of back pain include spondylolisthesis (a condition where one bone in your spine slips onto the next) and herniated disks (where the soft centre of a cartilaginous disc in your spine pushes through the space between two vertebrae). Back pain can also be caused by general problems such as stress or depression.
Most back pain is not serious and should settle within 6 weeks without the need for further treatment, especially if you are taking part in regular exercise. A heat or ice pack applied to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and ease pain and stiffness. You can use a reusable heat pad that you can buy from a chemist or sports shop, a hot water bottle or a bag of frozen peas. Alternating between heat and ice several times a day can help ease your pain.
Your back is a complex structure that provides support for your pelvis, legs, ribcage and arms. It is made up of bones called vertebrae that are stacked together in a loose ‘S’ shape. The vertebrae are cushioned by spongy discs that act as shock absorbers. They are joined together by a mesh of ligaments that allows back movement. A tube of nerves called the spinal cord runs through the centre of the spine and connects your brain to the rest of your body.
Muscles provide support for the bones and joints of your back. They also help you move. When muscles contract, they pull on bones at their ends and cause them to bend or straighten. Each muscle has one end that is attached to a fixed bone site called the insertion, and the other end that is connected to another muscle that helps it perform its action – called the synergist.
Back injuries can happen suddenly from a fall or car accident, or they can build up slowly over time, like when you carry a heavy load at work or strain to lift something that is too heavy. Some back injuries can be very serious.
Injuries to the muscles and tendons of your back are called sprains and strains. They can happen when you twist or pull a muscle or tendon, and sometimes they happen when you do something repetitively that stresses your back, like bending over to pick up a pencil or reaching for a cup of coffee.
The middle and thoracic region of your spine can be more prone to injury than the lower and neck regions because these bones don’t flex as much as the vertebrae at the ends of your spine, which allow you to move your head and hips.
As you get older, the disks in your back can wear out and make it harder to bend and twist. This can cause pain in your back and also make your arms or legs feel numb or tingly. This is a problem called spinal stenosis.
Spinal discs are located between the individual bones in your back and neck. Each one has a tough exterior and a soft, gel-like interior that acts as cushions to keep your vertebrae separate when your body jars them during activities. The outer portion of the spinal discs is called the annulus fibrosus and looks like two concentric cylinders. The inner core is called the nucleus pulposus. The annulus fibrosus is made of concentric sheets of collagen fibers (lamellae) that hydraulically seal the gelatinous nucleus and evenly distribute pressure and force on the disc.
Discs can handle quite a lot of pressure but there are certain types of stress that can push the inner contents out through a tear in the outer shell. This is called a herniated disk and can cause pain, weakness and numbness in the area of the body served by the nerve that has been impacted.
Herniated spinal discs can be caused by a wide variety of factors. Some are simply due to the natural changes that happen across our lifetime. This includes changes in the connective tissue of the spine, changes in the shape of the disks and narrowing of the disc space. These are called age-related back problems.
Other causes of herniated discs include things such as heavy lifting, bending and twisting. People who live a sedentary lifestyle are much more likely to develop herniated discs as are those who carry excessive weight.
Some back injuries are sudden and traumatic but many happen gradually over time. You may be more likely to get a back injury while playing a sport or doing a work related activity but you could also hurt your back by simply carrying a bag of shopping or bending over to pick up a dropped sock. The best way to prevent back injuries is to maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. This doesn’t have to be strenuous at the outset but just do a little bit each day and build up slowly over time. Getting enough rest is important but sleeping on the floor or in a recliner often makes back pain worse and will prevent you from becoming more flexible.
Back pain can be caused by a variety of things. Many of the causes of back pain are the result of problems with the muscles, ligaments, or discs in your back. Sometimes, these structures can be damaged by underlying medical conditions or even stress. It is important to understand what is causing your pain in order to get the best treatment.
The lower back (lumbar) is a complex structure. It consists of small bones called vertebrae, a spinal cord that runs down the middle of your spine, and nerves that travel from the spinal cord to other parts of the body. There are also disks that act as cushion-like pads between the vertebrae to prevent them from scraping against each other. Over time, the disks can dry out and tear or herniate. When this occurs, your spine is no longer supported properly and the back muscles can become strained or tight. You may also experience numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
A herniated or slipped disk can be caused by lifting heavy objects, sitting or standing for long periods of time, or an injury that causes your spine to twist or bend in a way it is not designed to move. It can also be a side effect of certain types of medications, especially birth control pills. Other common causes of back pain include poor posture, lack of exercise, and arthritis. Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cause the bones in your spine to fuse together and create a stiff, painful spine.
Pain that feels like a sharp, burning, or shooting pain typically originates in the spine, but it can be felt in other places, depending on where the nerve is pinched or irritated. For example, a back-related leg pain called sciatica involves pressure on the spinal nerve in your lower back or buttocks that causes pain to shoot down one or both legs.
Mild injuries to the nerves can usually heal on their own, within minutes or after a few weeks. However, the messages between your brain and other parts of your body can be affected until the nerves heal, which is why it is important to call us right away if you suspect an injury to your spine.