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.
Learn about the spine and get basic information on back pain.
Problems from back pain are the most common physical complaints among American adults and are a leading cause of lost job time -- to say nothing of the time and money spent in search of relief.
Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and bones.
Low back pain is a universal human experience -- almost everyone has it at some point.
Back pain often happens because something is off in the way your spinal joints, muscles, discs, and nerves fit together and move.
Age plays a role, but the other low back pain causes can include injures, an inactive lifestyle, poor posture, illnesses, and obesity.
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.
Spondylolisthesis is a slipping of vertebra that occurs, in most cases, at the base of the spine.
When abnormalities of the spine occur, the natural curvatures of the spine are misaligned or exaggerated in certain areas, as occurs with lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis.
When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks, and leg.
Back problems and injuries often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects.
Explore the risk factors for low back pain.
Pregnant with an aching back? Many pregnant women can relate. Here’s help.
Use these tips at home, work, and play to guard your back.