All of us suffer back pains every once in a while. Vigorous activities, sleeping the "wrong way", even banging into something can cause pain, but when it doesn't go away, do you know when it's time to get medical attention? Do you understand what causes back pain, and when does the problem escalate from "just nothing" to "something" to be concerned about?

Back pain can be the result of many different things. If you have not suffered a physical injury, it can be difficult to tell where the pain derived from. Back pain can be attributed to poor muscle tone in the back, muscle spasm, muscle tension, or back strain; sometimes you can't remember what you could have done to cause the pain. Problems that are more obvious can easily be diagnosed by your physician such as muscle or ligament tears, bone weakness, or joint problems.

If you have a "slipped disc," you may have symptoms of buttock and leg pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness of the legs. This is caused by irritation of the spinal cord nerves.

Individuals who are overweight as well as those who work heavy labor jobs or stand and/or sit for long periods of time have an increased risk of developing lower back problems. Athletes tend to suffer back pain due to the tremendous amount of stress that they inflict on their bodies. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may delay healing or make the problem worse.

There are other conditions that can cause back pain such as arthritis, intestinal problems, pregnancy, kidney disease, heart disease, and gynecological issues; just to name a few.

Symptoms of Back Pain

Back pain, although normally confined to the lower area of the back, may expand to other areas, in particular the legs. The affected area may be tender and/or painful to touch and the pain may increase with movement. There are different types of pain that include stabbing-like, burning pain or a dull ache that feels like it's inside the muscle. These symptoms can range from mild/uncomfortable to severe/disabling.

Treatment for Back Pain

Depending on what caused the back pain, your symptoms may improve on their own after a few days. Some may take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the discomfort. If you are suffering from mild to moderate back pain, you should avoid strenuous or repetitive activities until you start to feel better. Bed rest is not recommended, as being sedentary will not help you.

In more severe cases, such as an injury or illness, medical attention is required. Many individuals make the mistake of thinking "It will go away," and live with the pain for extended periods of time. The sooner that you address the problem, the quicker you can get back to normal.

If the pain does not subside within a normal period of time, it is recommended that you see your physician. Your medical doctor may refer you to a physical therapist or a chiropractor, depending on your diagnosis. A physical therapist or chiropractor may prescribe several sessions of physical therapy to help strengthen your muscles, massage and/or spinal manipulation, or electrical stimulation.

Your physician and your therapist or chiropractor should work together to develop a plan that is suitable for your situation. In most cases, a regimen of physical therapy and other modalities is helpful in relieving back pain.