Back Pain - Types, Symptoms And Treatment

Back pain is common and the largest single cause of sickness absence in the UK. Although it can be very painful, it is normally not serious.

Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects 7 out of 10 people at some time in their lives. Low back pain means a pain, or ache, anywhere on your back, in between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs.

Types Of Back Pain

Acute pain comes on quickly and often leaves just as quickly. To be classified as acute, pain should last no longer than 6 weeks. Acute pain is the most common type of back pain.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, may come on either quickly or slowly, and it lingers a long time. In general, pain that lasts more than 3 months is considered chronic. Chronic pain is much less common than acute pain.

Low back pain can be further divided into two main categories:

• Specific low back pain (SLBP) where there is a defined cause (etiology).

• Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) or back pain of undetermined cause. (The latter does not mean that there is no specific cause of your pain—there may in fact be one or more causes that your physician cannot yet find due to the limitations of medical science.)

Symptoms of a back sprain or strain generally include:

• Muscle spasms, cramping, and stiffness.

• Pain, mostly in the back and buttocks. The pain may develop quickly or over a longer period of time. Pain generally occurs in episodes. It is aggravated by weight-bearing or specific movements and is relieved by rest. The most severe pain usually lasts 48 to 72 hours and may be followed by days or weeks of less severe pain. The back is easily reinjured during this time.

looking for real, long-term, lasting relief:

• Address both the cause and the symptom – the best approach is a combination of treating the symptoms for pain relief while also addressing the underlying cause.

• Be aware – many people suffering from back pain are not in tune with their bodies and during their treatment they do not realize what is working and what is not. In order to achieve long-term relief you have to understand how your body works, what’s causing the problem, and what changes have to be made to correct it.

Back Pain Treatment

• Physical therapy and exercise. A physical therapist can apply a variety of treatments, such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and muscle release techniques, to your back muscles and soft tissues to reduce pain. As pain improves, the therapist can teach you specific exercises to increase your flexibility, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, and improve your posture. Regular use of these techniques will help pain from recurring.

• Prescription medications. Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or in some cases, a muscle relaxant, to relieve mild to moderate back pain that doesn't get better with over-the-counter pain relievers.