Back Pain
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with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic surgery)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
About the symptom
Back pain can be a painful sensation in the whole or any part of the back. The pain may be pressing, sharp or dull in nature.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Fever
Gross hematuria
Sensation of incomplete voiding
Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
Numbness of lower limbs
Respiratory wheeze
Possible causes
- osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that makes your bones weak and brittle, resulting in the bone to fracture easily even with minor trauma or stress (for instance, after a simple fall). It may be caused due to long-term low calcium intake, estrogen deficiencies in women, and an inactive lifestyle.
- Low back pain
Low back pain is very common, affecting more than 80% of people at least once in their lifetime. It is usually not serious and often resolves on its own but can be frustrating when it interferes with daily life. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, older age, female sex, physically strenuous or sedentary work, stress, and mental health issues. Serious causes can be menstrual problems, injury, slipped disc, nerve disease, spine disease, or joint deformities.
- Lumbar spondylosis
A condition in which the backbones (lumbar spine) become damaged due to wear and tear. Risk factors include repetitive back strain, carrying heavy loads, and obesity.
- Chronic pyelonephritis
- Neuropathic pain
- Chronic pain
- Fibromyalgia
Related serious diseases
- Uremia / chronic renal failure
Significant decrease in kidney function. Causes include repeated damage from infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, and autoimmunity (the body's immune system attacking itself).
- Bronchial asthma
- Myocardial infarction (MI) / Unstable angina
Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom
Do you have back pain?
Do you have pain when you press your back?
Do your symptoms appear after exercise?
Do you have symptoms when you drink alcohol?
Do you have a fever?
FAQs
Q.
If my back hurts, when should I call an ambulance?
A.
You should call an ambulance if the pain is really bad, if it starts suddenly, or if the place where it hurts changes.
Details
Especially, you should think about calling an ambulance if you have chest pain or trouble breathing, because this could mean you have a serious condition like heart disease.
References
Stephanie G Wheeler, Joyce E Wipf, Thomas O Staiger et al. (2022). Evaluation of low back pain in adults.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-low-back-pain-in-adults
Q.
If my back hurts, when should I see a doctor?
A.
If you feel strong pain, especially in your chest, see a doctor right away. Also, if you have other symptoms like a fever, see a doctor quickly too.
Details
If you feel intense pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, it might be a sign of a problem with your heart, lungs, or big blood vessels. See a doctor right away. If you have a fever, it could be a dangerous infection, so it's good to see a doctor soon. If the pain lasts a long time or you have other symptoms like blood in your urine or stool, or tingling in your hands and feet, you should also see a doctor quickly.
References
Stephanie G Wheeler, Joyce E Wipf, Thomas O Staiger et al. (2022). Evaluation of low back pain in adults.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/evaluation-of-low-back-pain-in-adults
Q.
Can daily activities like eating and exercise improve back pain?
A.
If the pain comes from muscle stiffness, light exercise or checking your posture might help.
Details
If the pain is due to muscle stiffness, strategies like stretching, flexibility exercises, light activities like jogging or walking, reviewing your regular posture, and adjusting your workspace when using a computer may help improve the pain to some extent.
References
Diane Abraczinskas, MD. (2022). Overview of intestinal gas and bloating.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-intestinal-gas-and-bloating
Other Related Symptoms
Similar symptoms or complaints
Symptoms from the same body system / part
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
References
Reviewed By:
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedic surgery)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
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Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD
Obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN)
National Center for Child Health and Development, Japan