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Back Pain Health Center

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Overview & Facts

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Back pain may be mild or extreme, quick or constant. What raises your risk -- and what can you do about it? Learn about back pain’s causes, risks, and prevention.

What Is Back Pain?

Learn about the spine and get basic information on back pain.

Causes

Did you hurt your back playing sports or showing off your disco moves? Or was it an accident, illness, or being overweight?

Find out about common causes of low back pain.

Problems with the spine’s discs may play a role in back pain.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, can involve the spine.

If the spinal canal narrows, back pain may result.

Learn about ankylosing spondylitis, a spine condition that causes back pain.

Learn how spinal compression fracture can cause back pain.

Are You at Risk?

Explore the risk factors for low back pain.

This scale from the North American Spine Society helps gauge your risk for back pain. You’ll exit WebMD to reach this web site.

Pregnant with an aching back? Many pregnant women can relate. Here’s help.

Prevention

Use these tips at home, work, and play to guard your back.

This video shows you how to pack and travel to keep your back healthy.

Strengthening back muscles and other strategies can help, especially with spine osteoporosis.

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