About Back Pain
Spine and Back Injuries in the United States
An estimated 10 million adults suffer from chronic back pain annually. The majority of patients have problems with degenerative and related conditions. These degenerative conditions can result in instability and compression of the spinal nerves, causing back pain and/or radiating pain in the arms or legs.
Before recommending back surgery, physicians usually first prescribe nonsurgical treatments, including lifestyle changes, bed rest, medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and steroid injections. When these treatments are not effective, some patients require spine surgery. It is estimated that over one million patients undergo spine surgery each year in the U.S.
Symptoms
Acute pain comes on suddenly, and can be severe, but lasts a relatively short time. Chronic pain is a persistent state of pain that does not get better, on it's own, over time. It can be brought on by injury or illness.
Back pain can be felt constantly or intermittently, and may be a dull ache or a sharp, piercing, or burning sensation. The pain can stay in one place or refer or radiate to other areas, such as the front, side, back, legs, and neck.
Causes
Some of the more common causes of back pain originate in the muscles and/or nerves.
Muscles
Back pain can be the result of a sudden, awkward movement, strained back muscles and ligaments, or lifting heavy objects or using improper form when lifting objects.
Nerves
Pressure or impingement of nerve roots in the spinal canal can be caused by herniated discs, arthritic conditions, bone spurs, or displacement of vertebrae, and can result in pain throughout all areas of the back, and often into the extremities.