Back Pain

Acute

What is Back Pain?

Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting, burning or stabbing sensation. Also, the pain can radiate down a leg. Bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking can make it worse.

  • Increasing pain with lifting and bending.
  • Worsening pain when resting, sitting, or standing.
  • Back pain that comes and goes.
  • Stiffness in the morning when awakening and lessened back pain with activity.
  • Pain that radiates away from the back into the buttocks, leg, or hip.

When your back is in pain, you're less likely to be active, which can greatly affect your physical health. This lack of exercise can put you at a much higher risk for some very serious problems, such as: Diabetes. Cardiovascular disease.

  • Muscle or ligament strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain back muscles and spinal ligaments.
  • Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks act as cushions between the bones in the spine.
  • Arthritis.
  • Osteoporosis.
  • Ankylosing spondylitis, also called axial spondyloarthritis.

Do muscle-strengthening and stretching exercises at least 2 days a week. Stand and sit up straight. Avoid heavy lifting. If you do lift something heavy, bend your knees and keep your back straight.

  • Age. Back pain is more common with age, starting around age 30 or 40.
  • Lack of exercise. Weak, unused muscles in the back and abdomen might lead to back pain.
  • Excess weight. Excess body weight puts extra stress on the back.
  • Diseases.
  • Improper lifting.
  • Psychological conditions.
  • Smoking.

How is it diagnosed?

How is it diagnosed?

If pain is severe, resting for up to two days may help. Taking a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac or naproxen may also ease discomfort.

Seeking Medical Care

  • See a doctor immediately if you:
  • Experienced a trauma such as a car crash or fall
  • Develop a fever
  • Have trouble passing stool or urinating
  • Make an appointment to see a doctor if you:
  • Feel intense or constant pain
  • Develop pain that extends down one or both legs
  • Have weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
  • Experience swelling, redness or unintentional weight loss
  • Can't work, sleep or perform daily activities

How is it treated?

Treatment for acute myeloid leukemia is vital. It varies with the patient and stage of the disease. Treatment options include

  • Cortisone injections. If other measures don't relieve pain that radiates down the leg, an injection of cortisone plus a numbing medication into the space around the spinal cord and nerve roots might help.
  • Radiofrequency ablation.
  • Implanted nerve stimulators.
  • Surgery.

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