Back pain is a common problem often caused by overusing or misusing the muscles of the back. Some causes and treatment of back pain are described in this chart.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Lower Back Pain
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Did your pain begin after a fall, injury, or when you lifted an object?
Do you have numbness, burning, or electrical pain extending down the side of back of your leg?
Are you over 60 years, have arthritis, and are you experiencing severe pain with any movement?
Do you have pain when twisting, bending, or even sitting?
Do you have pain that comes and goes that may have started in your teenage years?
Do you have a fever?
Do you have blood in your urine and one-sided back pain along with burning during urination?
Is your back stiff and sore in the morning and are other joints stiff, sore, swollen, or red?
Are you pregnant?
Is the pain centered in the lower spine, and do you have pain down your leg? Does bending forward while walking seem to make it feel better?
Do you have back pain that wakes you up at night? Have you had unintentional weight loss?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
You may have a HERNIATED DISC. You may also have SCIATICA, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve.
Self Care
See your doctor. Get plenty of rest and use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain. If your pain is severe, if you have lost feeling or movement in your legs, or if you have lost control of your bladder or bowels (incontinence), see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Diagnosis
You may have a FRACTURED SPINE.
Self Care
EMERGENCY
Call an ambulance right away. Do not try to drive to the emergency room, and try to move as little as possible.Diagnosis
Your pain may be from MUSCLE SPASM (this can often feel like your back is “locked up”), a PULLED MUSCLE, or a HERNIATED DISC.
Self Care
Apply heat, use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, and get some rest. If you don’t get better in 2-3 days, or if your symptoms get worse, see your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have SPONDYLOLISTHESIS, when one vertebra in the spine slips over another, or SPONDYLOSIS, a type of arthritis resulting from wear and tear of the spine.
Self Care
See your doctor. Use anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain.
Diagnosis
You may have a kidney infection, such as PYELONEPHRITIS. You may also have KIDNEY STONES, which can start a kidney infection, and may cause sharp, continuous abdominal or back pain. You may also notice blood in your urine and have very painful urination with or without a fever.
Self Care
URGENT
See your doctor right away.Diagnosis
You may have ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS, a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Other forms of ARTHRITIS can also cause back pain and stiffness.
Self Care
Use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, and apply heat to the affected area. If you do not improve, or if your pain is severe or gets worse, see your doctor.
Diagnosis
PREGNANCY causes stretching of the tendons (a cord of tissue connecting muscle to bone) or ligaments (tissue connecting bones to each another) around the uterus, and increases the pressure on your lower back.
Self Care
Apply mild heat to the back only. See your doctor if the pain continues or if fever or bleeding accompanies the pain.
Diagnosis
You may have a HERNIATED DISC or SPINAL STENOSIS, a narrowing of the spaces within the spine.
Self Care
See your doctor. Get plenty of rest and use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain. If your pain is severe, if you have lost feeling or movement in your legs, or if you have lost control of your bladder or bowels (incontinence), see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.
Diagnosis
You may have a serious condition, including certain types of CANCER.
Self Care
See your doctor for evaluation.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
