The Knowledge Board:
Back Pain
Back pain (dorsalgia) may start in the muscles, bones, joints or nerves in the spine and is felt in the back. It can be a sudden onset or severe pain which can happen irregularly or regularly it can also be static and move around. The pain which could be either sharp, burning or dull. It can be felt in the upper or lower back and neck and may move to the leg or arm. Other symptoms could be a tingling or weakness in the back. Symptoms can be as a result of stress or damage or even a small injury to muscles tendons or discs and can be very painful.
Back pain is very common, with a very high incidence, afflicting 9 out of 10 adults at some stage in their lives. Generally back pain starts between the ages of 35-55. As many as 5 out of 10 suffer annually from back pain. Back pain is also the biggest single cause for sick leave in the UK.
Sometimes it can signify another medical problem but this isn’t very frequent as it not usually very serious. If it is severe and is accompanied by other signs such as a fever or sudden weight loss there might be something else wrong. If back pain comes on after a car accident or a fall it might be a sign of a fracture or another injury. If a patient suffers from osteoporosis, for example, back pain has to be taken more seriously and must be attended to promptly.
Back pain, in the majority of cases, is caused by an inflammation which can last from 2 weeks to 3 months. Lumbago which is also known as lower back pain afflicts many people at some point of their lives it usually starts at the bottom of the ribs to the top of the legs. Pain can be sudden or as a result of injury and normally ceases about 6 weeks later. In most cases the back is self healing. An active lifestyle will encourage the healing process for back pain. If the pain is acute and continuous it is preferable to get medical advice so that it can be diagnosed and treated accordingly.
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