Back pain

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Back pain

A pain scale is a way for you to measure your pain so that your doctor can help plan how best to control it. Most pain scales use numbers from 0 to 10: 0 means no pain and 10 means the worst pain you have known or felt. Use the list below to find the number that best describes your pain.

• 0 = No pain
• 1 to 5 = Mild pain
• 6 to 7 = Moderate pain
• 8 to 9 = Severe pain
• 10 = Worst pain possible

Back injuries are the most common cause of back pain. Injuries frequently occur when you use your back muscles in activities that you do not do very often, such as lifting a heavy object or doing yard work. Minor injuries may also occur from tripping, falling a short distance, or excessive twisting of the spine. Severe back injuries may result from car crashes, falling from significant heights, direct blows to the back or the top of the head, a high-energy fall onto the buttocks, or a penetrating injury such as a stab wound. Severe back injuries require immediate evaluation by your doctor.

Although back pain is often caused by an injury to one or more of the structures of the back, it may have another cause. Some people are more likely to develop back pain than others. Things that increase your chances for back pain and injury include getting older, having a family history of back pain, sitting for long periods, lifting or pulling heavy objects, or having a degenerative disease such as osteoporosis.

Most back problems occur in adults who are between the ages of 20 and 50. Children and teens can also have low back pain, but they are less likely to see a doctor for it. Back problems in children younger than 20 and adults older than 50 are more likely to have a serious cause.

Most back pain will get better and go away by itself in 1 to 4 weeks. Home treatment will often help relieve back pain that is caused by minor injuries. It is usually a good idea to continue your regular activities while your back is healing. Avoid heavy lifting and activities that seem to make your back problems worse.

Other treatments for a back problem or injury may include first aid measures, physical therapy, manipulative therapy (such as chiropractic), medicine, and in some cases surgery. Treatment depends on your age and health condition and the location, type, and severity of the injury.

Credits

Last updated:	August 28, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer