Back Pain Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Skeletal spine Vertebra, cervical (neck) Show all 6 photos Nonspecific back pain Definition Nonspecific back pain refers to pain in the back due to an unknown cause. See also: Low back pain Alternative Names Back pain - nonspecific Causes, incidence, and risk factors Back pain is one of the most common complaints treated by physicians. Nearly four out of five people will have back pain at some time in their life. Most of the time, the exact cause of the pain can not be found. Back pain can develop in association with a number of causes, including muscle strain, injury to the back, overuse, muscle disorders, pressure on a nerve root, poor posture, and many others. Pregnant women, smokers, construction workers, and people who do repetitive lifting all have increased risk of back pain. . Symptoms Low back pain Pain in any part of the back Pain may radiate to the buttocks or upper leg(s) Signs and tests A physical examination focused on the back, the abdomen, and the extremities may confirm back pain or muscle spasm, but the examination does not reveal a specific cause (such as a herniated disk) or any neurological problem (such as weakness or change in sensation). X-rays of the spine are usually normal. Further work-up may include a CT scan or MRI of the spine. Treatment Most nonspecific back pain is probably caused by muscle strain. It usually responds to 2-5 days of rest and pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which includes ibuprofen and naproxen, followed by gradual return to activities. Medications may be needed to reduce muscle spasms. Physical therapy is often prescribed so the patient follows proper body mechanics (such as good posture and lifting correctly) and to improve strength and flexibility in the spine, abdomen, and legs. Surgery is not useful for the treatment of nonspecific back pain. Expectations (prognosis) Most cases of nonspecific back pain go away on their own or respond to treatment. Continue reading this article

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Back pain - low (2 Videos, 1 Image) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
But prior to that moment in time, the structures in your back may be losing strength or integrity.The specific structure in your back responsible for your pain is hardly ever identified. Whether identified or not, there are several possible source...Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, 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: 05/05/2008
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Backaches and stress (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Stress can make you more likely to get a backache. Also, reducing stress can help you recover more quickly from a back injury. Reviewer: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/06/2007
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Herniated nucleus pulposus (4 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A herniated nucleus pulposus is a slipped disk along the spinal cord. The condition occurs when all or part of the soft center of a spinal disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk.Lumbar radiculopathy; Cervical radiculopathy; Herniated i...Reviewer: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/12/2008
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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.In a compression fracture of the vertebra, the bone tissue in the vertebra collapses. More than one vertebra may be affected. Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, 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: 05/05/2008
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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.Actual fractures of the tailbone(coccyx) are not common. Tailbone trauma usually involves bruising of the bone or pulling of the ligaments.Backward falls onto a hard surf...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 (8 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Scoliosis is a curving of the spine. The spine curves away from the middle or sideways.Congenital(present at birth) scoliosis is due to a problem with the formation of the spine bones(vertebrae) or fused ribs during development in the womb. 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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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.Scheuermann''s disease; Roundback; Hunchback; Postural kyphosis.Kyphosis is a spinal deformity. It can be caused by:.Degenerative d...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)
Scoliotic curving is a sideways curvature of the spine and is always abnormal.A small degree of both kyphotic and lordotic curvature is normal. Too much kyphotic curving causes round shoulders or hunched shoulders(Scheuermann''s disease).Too much l...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).Diskitis is an uncommon condition. It is usually seen in children younger than age 10.Diskitis can be caused by a bacterial or...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.The test is done in a hospital radiology department or your healt...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 topography scan of the lower spine and surrounding tissues.You will be asked to lie on a narrow table that slides into the center of the CT scanner. You will need to lie on your back for this test.Once inside t...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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Back strain treatment (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Treatment - back strainQuestion:What should be done for a back strain?Answer: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. Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, 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: 05/05/2008
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Diskectomy (5 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Diskectomy is surgery to remove all or part of a cushion that helps protect your spinal column. These cushions, called disks, separate your spinal bones(vertebrae).When one of your disks herniates(moves out of place), the soft gel inside pushes th...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: 03/04/2009
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Spinal fusion (1 Image, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Spinal fusion is surgery to fuse spine bones(vertebrae) that cause you to have back problems.Fusing means two bones are permanently placed together so there is no longer movement between them. Spinal fusion is usually done along with other surgica...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: 03/04/2009
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