Back Pain
Just about everyone has experienced some level of back pain. It is
one of the most common ailments brought on by disease, injury, or
misalignment of the spine. It can be a dull muscle ache in the
lower back or a severe, sharp pain that affects... More
Just about everyone has experienced some level of back pain. It is one of the most common ailments brought on by disease, injury, or misalignment of the spine. It can be a dull muscle ache in the lower back or a severe, sharp pain that affects your ability to bend over or stand up straight. Most often back pain results from strained muscles and ligaments that surround the spine, but it can also be caused by structural problems with the bones of the spine. There are treatment options for back pain, and understanding the causes and symptoms is key to preventing it in the first place. Less
Recently Answered
- Q How is acute low back pain diagnosed?
-
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and examine you. He may ask when you last had low back pain and how it started. Show him where you feel the pain and what makes it feel better or worse. Tell him about the type of pain you... More
- Q What is acute low back pain?
-
Acute low back pain is discomfort in your lower back area that lasts for less than 12 weeks. The word acute is used to describe pain that starts suddenly, worsens quickly and lasts for a short time. More
- Q When should I call my doctor if I have lumbar spinal stenosis?
-
Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if: A fall or injury--even a mild one--has caused numbness or weakness in one or both arms or one or both legs. Low back pain is accompanied by an inability to move the legs (paralysis), confusion or... More
- Q How is lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosed?
-
Your healthcare provider will need to take a detailed health history from you. A physical exam will also be done. Your healthcare provider will carefully check the parts of your body to look for abnormal changes or movements. He may do things to check... More
Lumbar spinal stenosis can usually be diagnosed based on your history of symptoms, a physical exam, and imaging tests. Imaging tests that may be used to evaluate the condition of the spine include: Computed tomography (CT) scan of the spine, which is... More
- Q What are the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis?
-
Lumbar spinal stenosis may occur without causing any symptoms. Symptoms may include any of the following: low back pain pain, numbness, tingling or weakness of the legs that gets better when sitting down, leaning forward or bending pain in the buttocks... More
Many people older than age 50 have some narrowing of the spinal canal ( spinal stenosis) but do not have symptoms. If the nerve roots or spinal cord become squeezed, symptoms may include: Numbness, weakness, cramping or pain in the legs, feet or... More
- Q What causes lumbar spinal stenosis?
-
Lumbar spinal stenosis may be caused by any of the following: Abnormal bone development: This means that your spine may have grown abnormally, such as in scoliosis (curved spine) or dwarfism. Some people may also have been born with a narrow spinal... More
The most common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis is age-related changes of the spine. These changes include thickening of soft tissues and a gradual deterioration of spinal discs and joints that connect the spine's vertebrae. Any of these conditions... More
