Back Pain

Back pain is experienced by nearly everyone at one point or another in life. In Great Britain alone in 2004, 110 million work days were lost as a result of symptoms of chronic back pain, which may be caused by everything from a muscle strain or sprain to an underlying condition in the back like a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, where the sciatic nerve may become trapped and cause sciatica.

People with back pain may also have enough stiffness and pain to cause mobility problems.

• Fever, chills
• Significant weakness in the legs
• Extensive trauma
• Debilitating, continuous back pain and abdominal pain
• Sudden bowel or bladder incontinence (e.g. difficulties urinating or having a bowel movement)
• Recent, unexplained weight loss with a history of cancer
• Constant back pain

Lumbago

Lumbago is the most common type of lower back pain and is an axial pain that may be sharp or dull and made worse by certain activities and/or positions. Relief may be obtained by rest, simple painkillers or gentle activities like easy walking or slow swimming.

In older people osteoarthritis is a common cause and rheumatoid arthritis may also present with back pain.

Sciatica

Scoliosis

While back pain is often related to the spine, it is not a common symptom of scoliosis, which describes an abnormal curvature of the spine. Most cases of scoliosis develop in adolescents, with causation unknown and treatment possibly including simple observation, use of back braces, or surgery.