Medicues Diseases & Conditions

Back Pain

• Sixty perecent of adults experience back pain at some time in their life.

• Back pain lasting longer than three months is considered chronic back pain.

• Lower-back pain is common and is the fifth most common reason for seeing a doctor.

• Eighty-five percent of patients with lower back pain do not obtain a medical evaluation or receive a specific diagnosis and most episodes are usually self-limiting.

• Common causes of back pain include:

· Herniated discs (rupture of the disc with protruding contents pushing on spinal nerves)

· Spinal stenosis (obstructing nerve canal)

· Compression fractures (crushing break of the back bone).

• Back pain that persists or worsens can be a sign of a serious condition and should be evaluated by your doctor.

Important Notice

This document is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Do not use this information to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting your physician.

Updated March 1st 2009

Medicues Diseases & Conditions
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