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Back pain is an extremely common condition; more than 80 percent of Americans experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Pain can arise from problems related to the musculoskeletal system (bones, ligaments, disks, muscles, and tendons) and nerves. The intensity of the pain can range from dull and achy to severe and debilitating.
The most common cause of back pain is strain resulting from intense exercise or accidental injury. Maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening your back muscles, standing and sitting up straight, and stretching can help avoid back strain and the resulting pain.
Back pain can also be caused by structural problems, including bulging or ruptured intervertebral disks, arthritis (inflammation of the joints in the back), and osteoporosis. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing recurring back pain, or you have other side effects like tingling in your legs, nausea, fever, or unintentional weight loss. Determining the source of the pain is the first step in finding relief.
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