Back pain may range from a mild ache or stiffness to severe pain that prevents movement of any sort. Stress on or injury to the muscles and ligaments that support the spine are a common source of back pain. A sedentary lifestyle and being overweight increase the back’s vulnerability to stress and injury. Strenuous sports activities and physically demanding jobs can also cause stress and injury to the back. In addition, aging increases the risk of back injury due to age-related changes, osteoporosis, and arthritis.
When back pain is chronic or severe or affects a person’s ability to function normally, it requires treatment. Contact your doctor if the pain is not relieved within a few days, is severe and constant, recurs, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as radiating pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, bowel or bladder incontinence, fever, or vomiting. Your doctor can assess the extent and seriousness of a back injury through a thorough physical examination. In some cases the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to relieve symptoms. Your doctor may recommend that you wear a lightweight brace to support your back.
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