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Back Pain Health Channel

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Skeletal spine

Vertebra, lumbar (low back)

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Backaches and stress

Alternative Names

Stress and backaches

Information

Question:

Can stress cause backaches?

Answer:

Stress can make you more likely to get a backache. Also, reducing stress can help you recover more quickly from a back injury. But, be careful not to blame back pain on stress, because you may be overlooking a serious cause.

It is important to see a doctor right away if:

  • Your back pain extends to the buttocks, arms, or legs
  • You have weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
  • You have any loss of bladder or bowel control
  • The pain wakes you up from sleep
See also: Low back pain

References

Aminoff MJ. Mechanical and other lesions of the spine, nerve roots, and spinal cord. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 423.

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Herniated disk (6 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
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Compression fractures of the back (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Compression fractures of the back are broken vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine.Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery.Date: 11/30/2009
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Tailbone trauma (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Tailbone trauma is an injury to the small bone at the lower tip of the spine.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/12/2008
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Scoliosis (11 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Scoliosis is a curving of the spine. The spine curves away from the middle or sideways.Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. Date: 09/17/2009
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Kyphosis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Kyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing of the back, which leads to a hunchback or slouching posture.Reviewer: Andrew L Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/17/2008
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Lordosis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Lordosis is an increased curving of the spine.Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/27/2008
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Diskitis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diskitis is swelling (inflammation) and irritation of the space between the bones of the spine (intervertebral disk space.Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/17/2008
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Lumbosacral spine x-ray (6 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine (the lumbar region) and the sacrum, the area that connects the spine to the pelvis.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/22/2009
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Lumbosacral spine CT (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A lumbosacral spine CT is a computed tomography scan of the lower spine and surrounding tissues.Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 08/11/2008
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Taking care of your back at home (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A common misconception about back pain is that you need to rest and avoid activity for a long time. In fact, bed rest is NOT recommended. If you have no sign of a serious cause for your back pain (such as loss of bowel or bladder control, weakness...Reviewer: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 07/10/2009
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Diskectomy (5 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
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Spinal fusion (2 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
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