What is back pain?
Back pain manifests itself in many ways, from light muscle aches to stabbing sensations along the spine or lower back spasms, and it can even cause discomfort in other areas of the body, like the buttocks, legs and feet.
You might experience acute back pain, which typically appears quickly and doesn't last more than a few days or weeks, or chronic back pain, which means the pain reoccurs over a long period of time.
Risk factors
Common causes of back pain
There are several reasons why people might experience back pain, from exercise to genetics to lifestyle. Athletes in high-impact sports and people working in physically demanding professions can be more prone to a back injury.
- Arthritis and osteoporosis
- Structural spinal problems, like scoliosis or degenerative disc disease
- Herniated discs
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal fractures from a sudden injury, such as a fall
- Muscle strain from exercise, lifting heavy objects or repetitive motions
- Poor posture or weak abdominal and back muscles
- Weight gain
Where pain shows up
Identify your back pain
Discomfort or pain in your back shouldn't go unnoticed. Use the sections below to pinpoint where your pain is showing up and what tends to cause it. Depending on the level and extent of your pain, it may be best to consult a doctor.
Neck & upper back
Stiffness, burning or radiating pain in the cervical spine, often from posture, repetitive motion or disc wear.
Rib & mid-back
The thoracic 'stability region', pain here often relates to herniated discs, bruised ribs or compression fractures.
Lower back
The lumbar region supports your weight and movement. Pain is extremely common, 4 out of 5 people experience it at some point.
Sciatic pain
Pain that travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg, caused when the sciatic nerve is irritated or pinched.
Neck pain and upper back pain
Your spine runs all the way from your tailbone to the base of your skull, which is why neck pain may feel like it's radiating into your upper back, and vice versa. This area is called the cervical spine, with a network of muscles allowing you to move your head and neck freely.
Cervical degenerative disc disease. When your spinal discs experience wear and tear, either prematurely or due to aging. You might feel a burning or numbing sensation in the neck or have headaches. Long-term issues include cervical stenosis.
Cervical spondylosis (arthritis of the spine). Often part of the aging process. Common symptoms include neck stiffness.
Muscle strain. From sitting at a non-ergonomic desk, making repetitive motions with your neck or shoulders, or having poor posture.
Rib and mid-back pain
Anchoring your rib cage and middle back is the thoracic spine. Think of it as the stability region, it has less range of motion than the upper and lower back. Pain in the middle of your back can come from:
A herniated or bulging disc. Can pinch a nearby nerve, causing middle back pain, tingling, and even numbness or stiffness.
Bruised or broken ribs.
Compression fractures of your spinal vertebrae. Most often in the thoracic region, typically due to osteoporosis or physical injuries like a fall or car accident.
Lower back pain
Sitting below the thoracic region is the lumbar, or lower back, area. This part of your spine and surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons supports your weight and helps your torso move up and down, back and forth.
If you feel lower back pain, you're not alone, 4 out of 5 people have experienced pain in this region at some point in their lives.
Kidney stones. Their movement can cause stabbing pain in the lower back.
Scoliosis. Puts pressure on spinal discs and muscles due to the curvature of the spine, a common symptom is general achiness in the lower back.
Lumbar degenerative disc disease. May cause a dull or sharp lower back pain.
Strains. From twisting, improperly lifting heavy objects, or bending over without using your legs.
Sciatic pain
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, stemming from the base of your spine all the way down to your foot. The nerve itself doesn't cause pain, but when it's irritated or pinched, it can become what's called sciatic pain, or sciatica. Because of the length of this nerve, you might feel lower back pain and discomfort throughout your leg.
Herniated discs in the lower back. Put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing tingling, burning or numbing sensations in your buttocks, leg and foot.
A bone spur. A small growth along the spinal vertebrae. Large enough bone spurs can pinch the sciatic nerve, causing pain that radiates from your lower back down your leg.
Spondylolisthesis. When one of your vertebrae slips and falls onto the bone below. In the lumbar spine, it can press on the sciatic nerve.
Common back injuries
Any type of back injury can be frustrating at best and debilitating at worst, so it's important to understand what you might be dealing with. Some common injuries that contribute to back pain include:
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Fractured vertebrae (broken bones in your spine)
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis (often from osteoporosis, arthritis or disc injuries)
- Spondylolisthesis
Treatment options
What are typical treatment options for back pain?
Back pain treatments depend on a couple of things: the level of pain or discomfort, where it's occurring and how long you've had it. Some back pain you might wait and watch, while other issues require a doctor's visit.
Pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers, topical or oral, can help reduce inflammation and alleviate back pain.
Heat or ice. Intermittently applying heat or ice packs to the affected area is a recommended way to relieve minor pain.
Physical therapy. Ask your doctor or physical therapist what kinds of activities are okay and which exercises can help strengthen your back muscles and protect your spine.
Spinal injections. Back pain from arthritis or degenerative discs may benefit from steroidal, anti-inflammatory spinal injections.
Surgery. Some back injuries or genetic issues require surgery, for example degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, herniated discs or bone spurs.
Where Good Feet fits in
How arch supports can help
When you experience back pain, you're probably not thinking about your feet. But if your feet aren't properly aligned, you might feel aches and pains in your knees, hips and lower back.
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Take the quizThis information is educational in nature and not intended as medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for diagnosis and treatment recommendations specific to your situation.