Facts

  • Most individuals will experience back pain at least once during their lives
  • One of the most common reasons for doctors visits
  • A leading cause of lost job time

Types

  • Cervical Back Pain
  • Lumbar Back Pain
  • Thoracic Back Pain

Symptoms

  • Muscle aches
  • Limited range of motion or flexibility
  • Stabbing or shooting pain
  • Inability to stand up straight

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests are not usually necessary to confirm the cause of your back pain, however a physical examination will be completed by a physician to assess your pain, flexibility, and range of motion. If your physician suspects that there is a reason to determine the specific cause of your back pain, an X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or a Bone Scan may be ordered. There is a chance, however, that these tests may not determine the cause of your back pain. Furthermore, back pain can be treated and improve even if the specific cause is unknown.

Causes

Back pain often develops without a specific cause. The majority of individuals develop back pain due to poor habits. These poor habits include:

  • Poor Posture
  • Lifting, pushing, or pulling objects incorrectly
  • Overexertion

Conditions commonly associated with back pain include:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Ruptured or bulging disc
  • Ligament or muscle strain
  • Skeletal irregularities

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the type of back pain. Common treatment options for back pain include:

  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Acupuncture
  • Cortisone Shots
  • Anti-inflammatory medications note: medications should be taken as directed by your doctor
  • Spinal Fusion